SecureByDefault is a practical learning project for people building real-world IT, Linux, cybersecurity, and cloud skills.
The goal is simple:
Give beginners a clear path from "I want to learn this" to "I can actually do this."
No confusing roadmaps. No fear-mongering. No pretending you need to know everything before you start.
A free, structured learning path for people building the fundamentals needed for IT, cybersecurity, and cloud roles.
The curriculum is designed to start with shared foundations and expand into role-specific skills.
Current and planned areas include:
- 🐧 Linux fundamentals
- 🌐 Networking fundamentals
- 🖥️ IT support and troubleshooting
- ☁️ Cloud fundamentals
- 🔐 Cybersecurity fundamentals
- 📊 Logs and monitoring
- 🔑 Identity and access
- 🛠️ Hands-on projects
- 💬 Interview preparation
- 📁 Portfolio-building ideas Browse the repo →
Linux is one of the main starting points for SecureByDefault.
Beginner topics include:
- Terminal navigation
- Files and directories
pwd,ls, andcd- Reading files with
catandless - Searching logs with
grep - Users and permissions
sudo- Processes and services
- Package management
- Logs
- SSH
- Basic networking
- Server security You do not need to memorize every Linux command.
You need to understand how to find your way around, troubleshoot problems, and know what to learn next.
SecureByDefault focuses on three things:
Understand the concept in plain English.
Use the skill in a real terminal, lab, or troubleshooting scenario.
Be able to describe what you did and why.
That last part matters.
Technical skills are useful. Being able to troubleshoot, communicate, and explain your thinking makes them much more valuable.
The learning paths are designed to include more than reading.
Expect:
- Small terminal exercises
- Troubleshooting scenarios
- Log analysis
- Linux challenges
- Security checks
- Cloud and server exercises
- Interview questions
- Practical projects The goal is not just to finish a checklist.
The goal is to build skills you can demonstrate.
SecureByDefault is built for:
- IT support professionals building deeper technical skills
- Help desk workers moving toward cybersecurity or cloud
- Beginners learning Linux
- Cybersecurity learners who need stronger fundamentals
- Cloud learners who want to understand what happens underneath the platform
- Career changers looking for a structured place to start
- Anyone tired of random tutorials with no clear next step
A beginner-friendly introduction to Linux commands, logs, permissions, setup options, and basic server security.
Weekly practical lessons covering Linux, cybersecurity, cloud, and IT support.
Articles, walkthroughs, labs, tools, and beginner resources.
SecureByDefault also publishes short, practical lessons covering topics such as:
- Linux commands
- Linux permissions
- Reading logs
- SSH
- Server security
- Cybersecurity fundamentals
- IT troubleshooting
- Cloud basics
The videos are designed to complement the learning paths rather than replace them.
Follow along here:
The project will grow gradually.
Planned areas include:
- Expanded Linux Fundamentals
- Networking Fundamentals
- IT Support learning path
- Cloud learning path
- Cybersecurity learning path
- Hands-on labs
- Troubleshooting challenges
- Interview question libraries
- Beginner projects
- Role-readiness paths The focus is on building useful material, not creating the biggest roadmap on the internet.
SecureByDefault is still growing, and contributions are welcome.
Before opening an issue or pull request, please read:
- Contributing Guide, what kinds of contributions are welcome and the quality standard for content
- Code of Conduct
- Security Policy, for reporting anything security-related Found something unclear, spotted a mistake, or have an idea for a better example or exercise? Open an issue.
Learn the fundamentals. Practice the skills. Understand why they matter.