How to use the Cyber Security Roadmap
- 1. Set your paceEnter weekly study hours to see week estimates.
- 2. Learn and labTick topics and complete each stage's lab on legal practice platforms.
- 3. Track progressGet a report of what is left and what to learn next.
The seven stages
Security builds on IT, so the first stage is how computers and networks work: the TCP/IP model, subnetting, ports, Linux and Windows basics. Then come security concepts (the CIA triad, authentication, cryptography basics), web and application security with the OWASP Top 10, and defensive security, where most entry-level jobs are: logs, SIEMs, Wireshark and incident response. Offensive basics follow, then cloud security and scripting, and finally certification and job search. You start at 0 of 29 topics done, about 28 weeks at 10 hours a week.
Learning security responsibly
- Practise only where you are allowed: your own lab or legal training platforms. Testing other people's systems without permission is illegal in India under the IT Act.
- Document everything: write-ups of labs are your portfolio.
- Blue team first for most beginners: SOC analyst roles are the common entry point.
- Certifications help alongside skills, not instead of them; check providers' sites for current exams.
Week estimates are a rough guide. Ticks are saved in your browser with export and import. Practise with the OWASP Top 10 cheat sheet, the port numbers reference and the cyber security MCQ quiz.
Expect to spend extra time on networking; almost every later topic depends on understanding packets and ports.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start cyber security without coding?
Yes. Networking and Linux come first; basic Python scripting is added later in the roadmap.
Is ethical hacking legal?
Only on systems you own or have written permission to test. Use legal training platforms to practise.
Is the Cyber Security Roadmap free?
Yes, the Cyber Security Roadmap is free. The first time you see your first progress report, you are asked for your name and WhatsApp number once. After that, this and every other Uncodemy tool opens straight away without the form.