Cybersecurity Kickstarter

Cybersecurity Kickstarter: Build a SOC-ready foundation.

Cybersecurity Kickstarter is a beginner-friendly certification program that bridges foundational cybersecurity fluency with job-ready SOC analyst skills. Through immersive labs, real tools, and six stackable micro-credentials, you’ll go from absolute beginner to confident blue team contributor—no experience required.

Start Training Today

Launch your cyber career—even if you’re just starting out.

Cybersecurity Kickstarter combines two of our most trusted certifications—Certified Cybersecurity Associate and Certified Cybersecurity Analyst—into one end-to-end program. You’ll build core computing and networking knowledge, then progress directly into SOC analyst skills like threat triage, log analysis, and basic incident response.

Learning. Labs. Career support. All in one program.

6 Micro-Credentials

With Cyber Defense Kickstarter you’ll train, practice, and prove your skills—earning 6 microcredentials through hands-on learning, labs, and applied exams:

  • Applied Cybersecurity: Foundations
  • Applied Cybersecurity: Systems
  • Applied Cybersecurity: Operations
  • Applied Cybersecurity: Fundamentals
  • Applied Cybersecurity: Essentials
  • Applied Cybersecurity: Analyst

Career Support

  • Unified support: Get support through a single email, form, or phone number for all learner needs.
  • Certified facilitators: Join weekly live office hours and monthly expert sessions—plus get answers within 48-hours in chat or through the IronCircle platform.
  • Completion package: All learners receive a co-branded certificate of completion, skills report, case studies and resume template.
  • Certification: Granted upon successful completion of all applied exams in the program.
  • Enhanced career support: Featuring virtual career events and 5 sessions of career coaching for resume review, LinkedIn profile review and interview preparation available for upgrade.

Build and Prove Skills

Kickstarter prepares you for real SOC analyst environments. You'll build and prove skills in:

  • Windows, Linux, and network administration
  • Log analysis and SIEM workflows
  • Threat triage and incident support
  • Real-world tools like Splunk and Wireshark
  • Core concepts aligned to NIST/NICE frameworks

Job Ready

Earn two IronCircle certifications + six micro-credentials, and get ready for roles like:

  • Cybersecurity Associate
  • Cybersecurity Intern
  • Tier 1 SOC Analyst
  • Security Operations Technician
  • Incident Response Support Specialist

Designed for true beginners. Built for real roles.

Whether you're switching careers, graduating into the job market, or exploring cybersecurity for the first time, this program meets you where you are—and moves you toward where you want to be. With hands-on training, stackable credentials, and real-world tools, it’s built to turn beginners into confident, capable cybersecurity professionals.

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Career Changers

A structured, supportive transition into cybersecurity—no experience needed.

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Students & Recent Grads

Job-focused certifications that give you a competitive edge out of the gate.

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Non-Technical Learners

From digital fluency to SOC readiness, this program bridges the gap.

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Academic Institutions

A turnkey offering to guide students into blue team pipelines.

Get certified.
Get confident.
Get hired.

Cybersecurity Kickstarter is a true zero-to-hire experience. Built for complete beginners, designed for today’s job market, and delivered in our seamless, browser-based platform—so you can start training today and move forward with purpose.