Best Free Cybersecurity Training Platforms in 2025

1. Introduction

In an age where digital threats evolve at lightning speed, cybersecurity training has become an indispensable facet of both personal safety and organizational resilience. With the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals continuing to surge—thanks in part to the rise of AI-facilitated threats—accessible and effective training is more crucial than ever. The cybersecurity talent gap is substantial: hundreds of thousands of positions remain unfilled globally, even as cybercrime escalates. In response, numerous platforms now offer free cybersecurity training, opening doors to anyone eager to learn—from fledgling enthusiasts to seasoned professionals.

By 2025, free training platforms have matured, offering structured certifications, hands-on labs, and tailored learning paths that rival many paid alternatives. In this blog post, we spotlight the top platforms projecting prominence in 2025, examining their features, course content, and appeal to different audiences.

2. Platform Analysis

Below is a deep dive into the leading free cybersecurity training platforms in 2025.

2.1. Cybrary

Description: A comprehensive online learning library for cybersecurity training and IT, offering hundreds of specialized courses.
Key Features & Courses: Nearly 500 courses, categorized by difficulty (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced), and aligned with vendor areas like Cisco, (ISC)², and Microsoft. Covers focused topics like malware analysis, OSINT, certification prep, and threat-informed training TechRadar Cybrary.
Target Audience & Skill Level: Broad—from absolute beginners exploring fundamentals to professionals seeking to specialize in niche domains.
Pros:
- Vast and varied course catalog
- Structured difficulty filtering and vendor-focused modules
- Flexible learning structure for topic-focused study
Cons:
- Free-tier may restrict access to advanced features or labs
- Some content may require subscription for full interactivity
User Testimonials: While not explicitly quoted, Cybrary’s reputation for depth and breadth is widely praised among InfoSec learners.

2.2. CISA Learning (U.S. Cybersecurity training & Infrastructure Security Agency)

Description: A government-run, free online/on-demand training platform for cybersecurity training and infrastructure protection.
Key Features & Courses: Courses span from beginner to advanced levels, including incident response training, ICS (Industrial Control Systems) cybersecurity training , hands-on cyber range exercises, and downloadable workforce training guides CISA.
Target Audience & Skill Level: Particularly valuable for professionals working in critical infrastructure sectors—but accessible to anyone seeking structured, policy-aware training.
Pros:
- Official, authoritative content from U.S. DHS
- Focused on practical, real-world infrastructure security needs
- Flexible, self-paced delivery
Cons:
- UI can be less engaging than gamified platforms
- May be geared towards policy-aware learners with some prior context
User Testimonials: SecurityMetrics recommends CISA’s self-paced format for government employees and practitioners—highlighting its comprehensiveness despite minimal gamification SecurityMetrics.

2.3. Open Security Training

Description: A minimalist platform sharing in-depth, technically rich course materials reminiscent of university slide decks.
Key Features & Courses: Courses on low-level topics like x86/x64 architecture, network forensics, vulnerability assessment, and cellular security. Strong emphasis on intermediate to advanced content, with some beginner-friendly material TechRadar.
Target Audience & Skill Level: Ideal for technically proficient learners—e.g., aspiring reverse engineers or security researchers.
Pros:
- Deep technical rigor
- No cost, with open access
- Strong academic-style content
Cons:
- Dry presentation style—not interactive
- Limited beginner guidance or structure
User Testimonials: Fans appreciate the technical depth, calling it a gem for serious learners who want a challenge.

2.4. ISC² – “One Million Certified in Cybersecurity” Program

Description: Nonprofit cybersecurity training certification body offering free entry-level CC training and exam as part of a mission to certify one million individuals.
Key Features & Courses: Self-paced training for “Certified in Cybersecurity” (CC) plus a free exam (with a US $50 annual maintenance fee post-certification) ISC2 Wikipedia.
Target Audience & Skill Level: Beginners aiming for a recognized vendor-neutral certification.
Pros:
- Official certification with wide recognition
- Supports diversity and inclusion in cybersecurity training workforce
- Self-paced and globally accessible
Cons:
- Post-certification maintenance fee—though minimal
- Training may be relatively basic for intermediate learners
User Testimonials: ISC²’s initiative has been lauded for its inclusivity and ability to lower barriers for newcomers in the field.

2.5. TryHackMe

Description: A hands-on, browser-based platform offering gamified labs, scenarios, and challenges for ethical hacking and cybersecurity training learning. Free accounts unlock many features.
Key Features & Courses: Guided rooms, Capture-the-Flag (CTF) style exercises, difficulty labels, learning paths, and interactive problem-solving TryHackMe Wikipedia.
Target Audience & Skill Level: Beginners to intermediate learners seeking active, game-like learning.
Pros:
- Highly engaging and interactive
- Well-structured difficulty levels
- Large active community and content variety
Cons:
- Premium content behind paywall (~€14/month)
- Free tier may limit lab access
User Testimonials: On Reddit, users share: “I’d highly recommend TryHackMe! They have a lot of free, beginner-friendly rooms…” Reddit
And SecurityMetrics calls TryHackMe “the best gamified free course… excellent for those who don’t have the attention span for purely textual courses” SecurityMetrics.
Scale: Over 4.5 million registered users as of April 2025 Wikipedia.

2.6. EC-Council Essentials Series

Description: A free MOOC-style cybersecurity training initiative offering foundational courses in ethical hacking, digital forensics, and network defense, complete with “Certificate of Achievement.”
Key Features & Courses: Courses include “Ethical Hacking Essentials,” “Network Defense Essentials,” and “Digital Forensics Essentials,” all part of a 3-course series with certification EC-Council.
Target Audience & Skill Level: Ideal for beginners or educators looking to build foundational knowledge.
Pros:
- Structured entry-level content
- Free certification upon completion
- Industry-aligned topics
Cons:
- May lack interactivity beyond quizzes/exams
- One-year access limit for course material
User Testimonials: Designed to bridge the talent gap; widely recommended by beginners stepping into cybersecurity training EC-Council.

2.7. IBM SkillsBuild

Description: A broad, free education platform offering digital skills including cybersecurity training , AI, cloud computing, and more—backed by IBM and partners.
Key Features & Courses: Over 1,000 courses in 20 languages; includes cybersecurity training fundamentals, AI ethics, generative AI roadmap, and workplace skills. Offers IBM-branded digital credentials Wikipedia.
Target Audience & Skill Level: Beginners and underrepresented groups seeking broad technical and workplace readiness.
Pros:
- Massive multilingual content library
- Career-recognized credentials
- Mentorship, workshops, and partner support available in enhanced versions
Cons:
- Cybersecurity content may be subset of overall offerings
- Advanced features may require partner-based rollout
User Testimonials: Widely used in education sectors; valued for its accessibility and breadth of topics.

2.8. Fortinet Free Self-Paced Advanced Training

Description: Fortinet provides a no-cost cybersecurity training curriculum for professionals, with paid on-demand labs for hands-on practice.
Key Features & Courses: Courses on security-driven networking, adaptive cloud security, AI-driven SecOps, and zero-trust networking. On-demand labs available for nominal fees Fortinet.
Target Audience & Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced professionals seeking to upskill with vendor-aligned content.
Pros:
- Covers modern, relevant topics like AI-driven operations
- Free theoretical training
- Option to practice in lab environments, albeit for a fee
Cons:
- Hands-on components are not free
- May bias toward Fortinet ecosystem tools
User Testimonials: Recognized by security pros for blending modern content with flexibility.

2.9. Other Free Awareness Platforms (e.g., Amazon SAT, Cyber101)

While not full instructional academies, several platforms deliver essential cybersecurity training awareness training:

Amazon SAT – A 15-minute awareness module covering phishing, social engineering, data privacy; certificate provided; available in 11 languages and aligned to NIST/ISO frameworks WatchDog Security.
Cyber101 – An 8-module static learning path ending in a certificate of completion. Straightforward but limited interactivity or tracking WatchDog Security.
NCSA Stay Safe Online – Short video series on core awareness topics—engaging, but lacking tracking or certification WatchDog Security.

3. Comparative Insights

Let’s compare these platforms across key dimensions:

Platform	Content Quality	Accessibility	Certification / Credential	Interactivity	Best For
Cybrary	Broad, vendor-aligned learning paths	Easy sign-up, free tier	Varies, some certification prep	Moderate; some labs premium	All levels; specialization seekers
CISA Learning	Official, infrastructure-focused	Self-paced & free	Guide-based, no formal cert	Low interactivity	Infrastructure professionals
Open Security Training	Highly technical, academic-level	Open access	None	Minimal (mostly slides/materials)	Advanced technical learners
ISC² CC Program	Official accreditation	Self-paced; globally available	CC certification upon exam	Moderate	Beginners pursuing credentials
TryHackMe	Engaging, gamified labs	Free rooms; sign-up easy	No formal cert (platform level)	High (CTFs, challenges)	Practical learners
EC-Council Essentials	Structured foundational training	Free enrollment, 1-year access	Certificate of Achievement	Quiz/exam based	Beginners, educators
IBM SkillsBuild	Extensive, multilingual	Open for many; more with partners	IBM digital credentials	Moderate; project-based with partners	Career-oriented learners
Fortinet Free Training	Modern, advanced topics	Free theoretical modules	No cert; intros for Fortinet	Low unless labs bought	Intermediate/advanced professionals
Amazon SAT / Cyber101 / NCSA	Light awareness modules	Free, easy access	(Amazon & Cyber101) certificates	Low (video/static)	General awareness, non-technical audiences

Observations:

Content Quality: Cybrary and Open Security Training offer depth; CISA and EC-Council are solid and structured; TryHackMe excels in engagement.
Accessibility: All are free to start; some require registration. IBM and ISC² provide broader language or credential support.
Certification: ISC² and EC-Council round out structured certificates; Amazon SAT and Cyber101 offer lighter certs; IBM SkillsBuild provides recognizable digital badges; others focus on skilllearning sans formal credential.
Interactivity: TryHackMe leads for hands-on. Cybrary and CISA offer some interactivity; others rely on content or exams.
Audience Fit: Beginners benefit from ISC², EC-Council, IBM, TryHackMe. Advanced learners gain most from Open Security Training, Fortinet, Cybrary.

4. Future Trends

Looking ahead through 2025 and beyond, several trends are shaping the evolution of free cybersecurity training platforms:

AI-Powered Personalized Learning
Research platforms like CyberMentor utilize generative LLMs and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to tailor learning assistance, skill support, and career advice dynamically arXiv. Expect others to adopt similar tech for personalized tutors.
Increased Gamification & Adaptive Labs
TryHackMe’s success underscores a move toward more interactive, scenario-based learning. Future platforms may integrate real-time adaptive challenges with feedback loops and leaderboards.
Credentialing and Micro-Certifications
Demand for lightweight, employer-recognized digital badges (e.g., IBM SkillsBuild, ISC² CC) will grow—especially in absence of full degree pathways.
Integration with University Clinics & Real-World Projects
University-based cybersecurity training clinics (e.g., LSU, Indiana University, UT Austin) offer hands-on learning via risk assessments and community outreach The Wall Street Journal. Such hybrid models are likely to expand, providing immersive real-world experience for students.
Sector-Specific Paths
Platforms like CISA focusing on ICS reflect growing needs in infrastructure sectors. Similar niche offerings (e.g., cloud, IoT, healthcare) may emerge.
AI-Threat & Defense Simulations
With AI enabling sophisticated threats, training platforms will likely introduce AI-driven attack simulations and defenses in practical, evolving scenarios—bridging theoretical knowledge and emergent threats.

5. Conclusion

Key Takeaways:

A diverse array of excellent free cybersecurity training platforms are available in 2025—each excelling in different areas.
For hands-on, gamified learning, TryHackMe is unmatched. For structured, certificate-oriented paths, ISC² CC and EC-Council Essentials are strong picks. Professionals and infrastructure learners benefit from CISA Learning and Fortinet. Cybrary delivers breadth and flexibility, while Open Security Training satisfies deep technical learners. IBM SkillsBuild offers inclusive, multilingual readiness with credible digital badges.
Inclusive and practical trends—like AI tutors, gamification, real-world projects, and micro credentials—are shaping the future of cybersecurity training education.
Your choice should align with both your current skill level and learning preferences: interactive vs textual, certification vs experimentation, beginner vs advanced.

Call to Action:
Dive into the platform that resonates most with your style. Start small, build your skills, and let curiosity drive your path. With such robust free options available today, there’s never been a better time to launch—or level up—your cybersecurity training journey.