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Ask HN: How can I learn computer security?

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Re: Ask HN: How can I learn computer security?

#4
"Is there any link between data science and cyber security?"

Data Science might be useful if you want to work in Security Information Management or in malware analysis: big companies try to identify "weird behavior" in their networks, based on "normal behavior" records.

"Where can I learn cyber security stuff?"

Well, that depends on the stuff you are interested in...

You should focus at first on learning "system administration" and at least a programming language like Python or Ruby. Network protocols would also be a bonus.

Then, if you want to learn "offensive techniques" or "penetration testing", I suggest that you try websites like RootMe https://www.root-me.org/?lang=en or Cryptopals cryptopals.com.

Once you'll have resolved by yourself some of these challenges, you'll be able to try the "industrialized approach" of penetration testing. For this, this book is quite cool: https://www.nostarch.com/pentesting.

If you're more interested in "defensive techniques", you have tons of resources online.

For instance:

Secure Coding Best Practices: - https://www.owasp.org/index.php/OWASP_Secure_Coding_Practice... - https://security.berkeley.edu/secure-coding-practice-guideli...

=> These documents will help you to understand what are the main risks in your apps

For "general" cybersecurity: - ISO27001 standard - The NIST Cybersecurity Framework https://www.nist.gov/cybersecurity-framework - PCI/DSS - https://www.us-cert.gov/

=> These documents will help you to understand what are the main risks in an organization based on their assets.

Re: Ask HN: How can I learn computer security?

#6
I highly recommend the online Cybersecurity Specialization of the University of Maryland on Coursera.

(disclaimer: I didn't pass the Capstone project, and never got around to trying it again)

Back then it was free if you didn't need a certificate, may still be.

https://www.coursera.org/specializations/cyber-security

Re: Ask HN: How can I learn computer security?

#8
> Is there any link between data science and cyber security?

There's... a company around LA area that does cyber and data science. I would think they apply data science to logs and such to figure out abnormality. Likewise if you count email spam detection as a cyber security thing.

For cyber security, take Network+ or just grab a Network+ book. I believe that's where you should start first in cyber security.

Re: Ask HN: How can I learn computer security?

#9
http://mooc.fi/courses/2017/cybersecurity

"Cyber Security Base with F-Secure is a course series by University of Helsinki in collaboration with F‑Secure Cyber Security Academy that focuses on building core knowledge and abilities related to the work of a cyber security professional. The course series is free and open for anyone to attend."

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