Ethical hacking courses can help you learn penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and risk management techniques. You can build skills in network security, incident response, and ethical guidelines for cybersecurity practices. Many courses introduce tools like Metasploit, Wireshark, and Nmap, that support identifying security weaknesses and testing defenses in real-time scenarios. By engaging with these tools, you’ll gain practical experience in protecting systems and understanding the mindset of potential attackers.

Skills you'll gain: Penetration Testing, Metasploit, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), TCP/IP, Network Protocols, Vulnerability Assessments, Exploitation techniques, Windows PowerShell, Active Directory, Network Analysis, Microsoft Windows, Wireless Networks, Scripting, Virtual Environment
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Cambridge
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Skills you'll gain: Vulnerability Assessments, Vulnerability Scanning, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Exploitation techniques, Unix, Network Security, Cybersecurity, Information Systems Security, Network Analysis, Web Applications, Command-Line Interface, Virtual Machines, Web Servers
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

LearnKartS
Skills you'll gain: Mobile Security, Cloud Security, Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) Attacks, Penetration Testing, Cybersecurity, Application Security, Cloud Computing, Cryptography, Vulnerability Scanning, Virtualization, Network Security, Encryption, SQL
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Skills you'll gain: Penetration Testing, Cyber Security Assessment, Cybersecurity, Information Systems Security Assessment Framework (ISSAF), Cyber Security Strategy, Vulnerability Assessments, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Threat Modeling, Exploitation techniques, Cyber Security Policies, Computer Security, Security Controls, Data Security
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of Colorado Boulder
Skills you'll gain: Penetration Testing, Exploitation techniques, Unix, Computer Security, Vulnerability Assessments, Unix Commands, System Programming, Shell Script, Linux, Debugging, Computer Architecture
Build toward a degree
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Skills you'll gain: Responsible AI, Agentic systems, Data Ethics, Discussion Facilitation, Business Ethics, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Healthcare Ethics, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Artificial Intelligence, Compliance Management, Case Studies, Governance, Accountability, Human Centered Design, Predictive Modeling
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

LearnKartS
Skills you'll gain: Security Testing, Threat Detection, Exploit development, Git (Version Control System), GitLab, GitHub, Problem Solving
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Penetration Testing, MITRE ATT&CK Framework, Cyber Security Assessment, Public Key Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Threat Modeling, Cryptography, Exploitation techniques, Security Testing, Vulnerability Scanning, Encryption, Technical Writing, Human Factors (Security)
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Colorado Boulder
Skills you'll gain: Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Cyber Security Assessment, Exploitation techniques, Server Side, Application Security, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Vulnerability Scanning, Responsible AI, Data Security, Cyber Attacks, Security Awareness, Generative AI, Large Language Modeling, Personally Identifiable Information, Business Logic
Build toward a degree
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Skills you'll gain: Crisis Management, Data Ethics, Governance, Business Ethics, Strategic Leadership, Responsible AI, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Media Relations, Strategic Thinking, Communication Strategies, Business Leadership, Accountability, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Emerging Technologies, Organizational Leadership, Risk Management, Communication, Leadership, Test Planning, Learning Strategies
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

EC-Council
Skills you'll gain: Penetration Testing, Threat Modeling, Cybersecurity, Cloud Security, Network Security, Vulnerability Assessments, MITRE ATT&CK Framework, Mobile Security, Threat Detection, Application Security, Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) Attacks, Vulnerability Scanning, Encryption, Information Assurance, Hardening, Exploitation techniques, Wireless Networks, Internet Of Things
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months