Free IR Training Plan: Part 1 – Core

This plan is based on what I wish I would have learned before starting in Incident Response. Being that I haven’t been in the field very long, I do keep coming across things I didn’t know that I needed to know, so I will adjust this accordingly.

This plan assumes that you’re a complete beginner to IT.

General IT

Introduction to Computing Fundamentals (Roppers Academy)

Programming/Scripting

Python Essentials 1 and Python Essentials 2 from The Python Institute

Intro to Regular Expressions (The Taggart Institute)

JSON Tutorial (TutorialsPoint)

Learn C

Intro to x86 Assembly Language (YouTube – Davy Wybiral)

PowerShell – Complete PowerShell modules on Microsoft Learn ( starting with Introduction to PowerShell, Discover Commands in PowerShell, Introduction to Scripting in PowerShell)

Networking

Choose One of These Video or Reading Based Courses:

Then do one or more of these Hands-On Courses:

Cybersecurity

Introduction to Security (Roppers Academy)

Security+ Training Course – (Professor Messer – YouTube)**

**I recommend getting the Security+ certification. This is the certification I’ve seen requested in entry-level IR positions and it’s required if you end up in a government position (see the DoD Approved 8570 Baseline Certifications).

Free Security+ Practice Questions can be found at Exam Compass & Pocket Prep.


Extra: If you haven’t participated in a CTF before, take Roppers Academy Capture the Flag Bootcamp course.


Go to Part 2: Free Training Plan for New (or aspiring) Incident Responders