Get Started in Cybersecurity 2026 (A Guide)

A step-by-step guide and roadmap to getting started in cybersecurity in 2026. Overviewing both the technical and career-based steps you can take to get started and level up your cybersecurity career. 🔗 Resources: 🤖 AI Websites: - ChatGPT Sign-up: https://chat.openai.com/auth/login?ref=upstract.com - LazyApply: https://lazyapply.com/ - Superhuman AI (Stay Updated on AI & Its Developments): https://www.superhuman.ai/ 💻 Crash Courses: - Python For Ethical Hacking & Cybersecurity Basic Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qnagf4K4Ju8 - Google's Fundamentals of Python for Cybersecurity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pe1fn3Gus0 📚 General Resources: - Cybersecurity Books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Ht1YUA - Humble Bundle Books (seasonal packages): https://www.humblebundle.com/?partner=grantcollins - NoStarch Press Books (use cybercademy25 for 25% off): https://nostarch.com/ - MITRE ATTACK: https://attack.mitre.org/ - MITRE DEFEND: https://d3fend.mitre.org/ ⏰ Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 0:55 - Read the Security News 2:03 - Start with the I.T. Fundamentals 2:54 - Networking Deep Dive 3:40 - Programming Basics 4:45 - Operating System Basics 5:56 - Cybersecurity Basics 6:56 - Cloud & Virtualization 8:18 - AI & Its Developments 8:48 - ProjectSecurity.io - Build a Homelab 9:29 - Develop a Learning Plan 10:12 - Project-based Learning 10:31 - Formal Qualifications 11:11 - Consistency 11:34 - Networking 11:58 - Conclusion 🔒 Learn Cybersecurity and Build a Homelab:  https://projectsecurity.io  💬 The Socials: Twitter / X : https://twitter.com/collinsinfosec Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_collinsinfosec/ ProjectSecurity.io Discord Server: https://discord.gg/bWymWhCv9p 🤔 Have questions, concerns, comments?: Email me: grant@cybercademy.org 🎧 Gear: Laptop (Lenovo X1 Carbon Ultrabook 6th Gen): [https://amzn.to/2O0UfAM​​​​​](https://amzn.to/2O0UfAM%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B) Monitors (Dell D Series 31.5” D3218HN): [https://amzn.to/2EXlgRF​​​​​](https://amzn.to/2EXlgRF%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B) Keyboard (Velocifire VM01): [https://amzn.to/2TEswfd​​​​​](https://amzn.to/2TEswfd%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B) Headphones (Audio Technica ATH-M40x): [https://amzn.to/2F4Tvq6​​​​​](https://amzn.to/2F4Tvq6%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B) Work Monitors (Dell U4919DW UltraSharp 49 Curved Monitor): https://amzn.to/3yQmDhM Desk ( FLEXISPOT E6 Pro Oval Leg Dual Motor Standing Desk): https://amzn.to/3L75rhm 💻 Cybersecurity PC Build Parts [Processor] Intel Core i7-13700K 3.4 GHz 16-Core Processor: https://amzn.to/3OlTTUK [Graphics Card] Asus DUAL OC GeForce RTX 3060 Ti 8 GB Video Card: https://amzn.to/3OE0bkd [AIO Cooler] Corsair iCUE H100i RGB ELITE 65.57 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler: https://amzn.to/3DEUUT9 [Motherboard] MSI PRO Z690-A WIFI DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard: https://amzn.to/3Ol9La8 [RAM](/C:/Program%20Files/Joplin/resources/app.asar/2x "2x") Corsair Vengeance LPX 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory: https://amzn.to/3OlsgeM [HDD] Seagate IronWolf NAS 8 TB 3.5" 7200 RPM Internal Hard Drive: https://amzn.to/3DFdc6K [SSD] Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive: https://amzn.to/3KpTnnQ [Case] Corsair 5000D AIRFLOW ATX Mid Tower Case: https://amzn.to/44Rjaxf [Power Supply] Corsair RM850x (2021) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply: https://amzn.to/478wC1r [Fans] Corsair iCUE SP120 RGB ELITE 47.7 CFM 120 mm Fans 3-Pack: https://amzn.to/44R4myD