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Cybersecurity Roadmap 2025

From zero to expert: Attack, defend, and secure enterprise systems with AI

Total Duration

18-24 Months

Career Paths

5+

Offensive

Metasploit, Burp, Cobalt Strike

Defensive

SIEM, EDR, IDS/IPS

AI Security

Security Copilot, Darktrace

Cloud

AWS, Azure, GCP Security

IT Basics & Security Fundamentals

0%
Complete

Prerequisites

  • Basic computer skills
  • Interest in security
  • Analytical mindset

Learning Outcomes

  • Master networking and Linux fundamentals
  • Understand core security concepts
  • Basic scripting and automation
  • Perform basic vulnerability scanning

Specialization Career Paths

Penetration Tester

Offensive security, exploit development, red teaming

SOC Analyst

Monitoring, threat detection, incident response

Cloud Security Engineer

AWS/Azure/GCP security, IaC, container security

Forensics Analyst

Digital forensics, malware analysis, incident investigation

DevSecOps Engineer

Secure CI/CD, SAST/DAST, container security

AI Security Specialist

AI/ML security, adversarial attacks, LLM security

Recommended Certifications

Beginner

  • • CompTIA Security+
  • • CompTIA Network+
  • • Cisco CCNA Cyber Ops
  • • AWS Cloud Practitioner

Intermediate

  • • CEH (Ethical Hacker)
  • • eJPT (Junior Pentester)
  • • PNPT (Practical Network)
  • • CySA+ (Analyst)

Advanced

  • • OSCP (OffSec)
  • • CISSP (Management)
  • • CISM/CISA (Governance)
  • • AWS Security Specialty

Learning Platforms

Practice Labs

  • • HackTheBox
  • • TryHackMe
  • • PentesterLab
  • • VulnHub

CTF Platforms

  • • PicoCTF
  • • OverTheWire
  • • Root-Me
  • • CTFtime

AI Security Tools

  • • Microsoft Security Copilot
  • • Darktrace AI
  • • CrowdStrike Falcon
  • • Snyk AI Scanner

18-Month Timeline (~15 hrs/week)

Months 0-2:IT + Networking + Linux basics
Months 2-6:Security fundamentals + tools (Wireshark, Nmap)
Months 6-12:Pentesting labs + web/AD security
Months 12-18:SIEM, forensics, malware analysis, AI tools
18+ months:Specialization track (Red/Blue/Cloud/DevSecOps)

Final Portfolio Projects

Red vs Blue Simulation

Build complete attack and defense lab environment

AI Phishing Detector

Create ML-powered phishing detection system

SOC Dashboard

Set up SIEM with AI-powered alerts

Incident Response Playbook

Write comprehensive IR documentation