Learn core cyber abilities and have a portfolio to secure a good job

MCSI Certification

MICS - Introduction to Cyber Security

MICS offers entry-level cyber security training in a variety of domains, such as open-source intelligence, security tools, operational security, network reconnaissance and threat hunting.

This curriculum provides students with the essential skills needed to commence or further develop a career in cybersecurity. The courses are designed to provide students with a strong foundation in cybersecurity knowledge, skills, and abilities.

MICS-certified students can apply for summer/winter internships with the assurance that their skills are in high demand. Certification proves that you have the competencies necessary to thrive in a competitive industry.

Free
Intermediate Level MCSI Certification Beginner
ic-certificate Certification
ic-clock 100+ hours
cpe-points 69
ic-money free
No Expiry, No Renewals

Course Overview

The cyber industry is currently facing a talent shortage. This is in part due to the fact that the industry is still relatively new, and few people have the necessary skills to work in it. Another reason for the shortage is that many people are unaware of the opportunities that exist in the cyber industry.

A junior cyber professional can expect to earn a starting salary of around $45,000. This salary may vary depending on the individual's qualifications and experience. Additional pay may be available for those with expertise in specific areas of cybersecurity, such as penetration testing or malware analysis.

The MICS Certification is ideal for a person considering a career in cyber security because it is a globally-recognized credential that demonstrates mastery of the skills required to work in this field. Earning the MICS Certification proves helps you stand out as a qualified cyber security professional.

This certification will equip you with the skillset necessary to carry out the following tasks:

  • Learn technical and enterprise security concepts
  • Discover active attack campaigns
  • Perform network reconnaissance
  • Extract data from search engines and social media
  • Classify binaries with YARA
  • Develop a password policy and a risk matrix
  • Build a home security lab

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities You Will Acquire

MCSI is one of the most respected and trusted names in cyber security education and training. Our certifications teach critical skills, knowledge and abilities needed to advance a career in cyber security. Our courses are comprehensive and up-to-date, and our instructors are experienced professionals who are dedicated to helping students learn. MCSI provides the real-world skills and knowledge you need to protect any organization from cyber threats.

  • Open-source intelligence
    • Google
    • Bing
    • Facebook
  • Reconnaissance
    • Certificate transparency logs
    • Github source code leaks
    • Shodan
    • Whois
  • Discovering attacks
    • Typo-squatting
    • Phishing websites
    • Malware samples
  • Operational security
    • Safe port-scanning
    • Safe nslookup
    • Safe HTTP requests
  • Penetration testing
    • Directory and file enumeration
    • Port scanning with NMAP
    • Domain and subdomain enumeration
  • Governance, Risk and Compliance
    • Risk matrix
    • Password policy
    • IT assets inventory
    • Security awareness posters

Career Outcomes

MICS-certified students can apply for summer/winter internships with the assurance that their skills are in high demand. Certification proves that you have the competencies necessary to thrive in a competitive industry.

Certification Detail

MCSI certifications are highly respected and sought-after credentials in the industry. Earning an MCSI certification is a testament to your knowledge and skillset, and demonstrates your commitment to excellence. The content is cutting-edge, uniquely-designed, and hands-on. Our exercises teach in-demand skills that are immediately applicable in the field.

The certifications are valid indefinitely and do not require any renewal fees. The training is accessible without any time limits.

Syllabus

Training Modules

This course provides you with multiple training modules, each of which is designed to teach you practical skills that can help you solve important cyber problems. Each module offers exercises that will help you build your skills and capabilities.

  • MICS-000: Complete these exercises first - 2 exercises
  • MICS-001: Professional Writing - 4 exercises
  • MICS-101: Internet Searching - 6 exercises
  • MICS-102: Technical Concepts - 5 exercises
  • MICS-104: Facebook OSINT - 5 exercises
  • MICS-201: Passive Network Reconnaissance - 4 exercises
  • MICS-202: Discovering Attack Campaigns - 3 exercises
  • MICS-302: Security Tools - 4 exercises
  • MICS-303: Threat Hunting using YARA - 5 exercises
  • MICS-401: Security Lab Setup - 3 exercises
  • MICS-402: Penetration Testing with Tools - 4 exercises
  • MICS-403: Digital Investigations - 3 exercises
  • MICS-502: Malware Development - 2 exercises

Enroll now with lifetime access for free

Certifications

MCSI Industry Certifications are important for you to earn because they signify that you have the skills required to work in a cybersecurity. Certificates of Completion are also important to earn because they signify that you have completed an exercise. Earning Certificates of Completion and Industry Certifications demonstrates that you are willing to put in the extra work to be successful.

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Student

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Obtain CPE points by solving exercises

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Achieve multiple certifications

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Receive help from instructors online

Sample Exercises

Below are three (3) exercises from the 75 exercises available in MICS - Introduction to Cyber Security:

Research And Write An Article On A Recent Cyber Breach (Concepts)

exercise

Perform A TCP Port Scan Using Nmap (Novice)

exercise

Write a Password Policy (Novice)

exercise

Our Instructors

Student exercises are reviewed and graded by multiple instructors. This one-of-a-kind approach allows you to get highly personalized input from a number of successful professionals.

MCSI's teachers bring real-world experience and knowledge to the classroom, ensuring that students have the skills they need to excel in the field of information security. Due to their extensive experience in penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, reverse engineering, incident response, digital forensics, and exploit development, students will understand the most up-to-date defensive and offensive cybersecurity strategies and procedures.

Our instructors are passionate about information security and are always looking to further their own knowledge. Students who attend an MCSI course can be confident that they are learning from some of the best in the business. They can adapt their teaching approaches to match the demands of any student, regardless of their degree of expertise.

The MCSI team strives to provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date cybersecurity training available. Whether you are a seasoned security professional or new to the field, MCSI has a course that will meet your needs.

Receive personalized feedback from cybersecurity experts:

  • Overcome challenges and hurdles preventing you from advancing your skills
  • Receive guidance on how to focus your training efforts and avoid wasting time
  • Learn how to meet the industry's quality standards and produce high-quality work
  • When you're stuck, go to a support forum or ask inquiries to the instructors right on the platform

Help and Support

24/7 Discord Community

If you're looking for additional support during your studies, consider joining our Discord server. Our community of fellow students and instructors is always available to provide help and answer any questions you may have.

Personalized Support

Your submissions will be reviewed by MCSI instructors, who will provide you with personalized feedback. This input is critical since it can assist you in identifying the areas where you need to enhance your skills. The instructor's feedback will also tell you how well you did an exercise and what you can do to improve your performance even further.

Click here to see an example of personalized feedback.

Our personalized support will take your skills to the next level. Read what a student says about it:

Quick Questions

If you have any questions or need clarification on any of the exercises, MCSI offers a Quick Questions section on each exercise where you can ask for help. This is a great resource to use if you need assistance. This feature is only available for paid courses.

Actively Maintained Course

This course is actively maintained to ensure that it is current and error-free. We want to ensure that you have the best possible experience while taking this course, which includes having access to accurate and current information. This course is also tested for flaws on a regular basis, so you can be sure you're getting a high-quality product.

This course is constantly updated with the support of trustworthy industry peers to ensure that students are acquiring the most up-to-date information and skills. This dedication to staying ahead of the curve is what distinguishes this course as one of the greatest in the market.

Prerequisites

Training Laptop Requirement

This course can be completed on a standard training laptop. To ensure you have the necessary hardware to complete the course, your machine should meet the following specifications:

  • 64-bit Intel i5/i7 2.0+ GHz processor or equivalent
  • 8GB of RAM
  • Ability to run at least (1) virtual machine using Virtual Box, or an equivalent virtualization software
  • Windows 10 or later, macOS 10 or later, or Linux
  • Local administrator privileges
Do you support older operating systems?

Yes. Many of the exercises can be completed on older OS versions. A few of our students are successfully using older equipment to learn cyber security.

Proficiency in the English language

You must have the ability to comfortably read and understand IT documentation written in English. Ideally, they have an IELTS score of 6.5 with no band less than 6 (or equivalent).

Note: You can register for this course without having undertaken an English test.

  • Windows machine
  • Web browser

Lab Environment

This course teaches you how to setup and configure your own cybersecurity lab.

There are numerous advantages to creating your own cybersecurity lab rather than paying for one. The cost savings are perhaps the most evident benefit. When compared to the expense of licensing a pre-built lab, creating your own lab can save you thousands of dollars. You also have the option of customizing the lab environment to meet your specific requirements. You can, for example, select the hardware and software that will be used in your lab.

Another advantage of setting up your own cybersecurity lab is that it allows you to learn new skills. Building a lab from the ground up necessitates knowledge of networking, system administration, and other technical subjects. This experience is invaluable in your career as a cybersecurity professional.

We frequently see students who can complete a task in a pre-built lab but cannot complete the same task at work. This is because these labs are meant to lessen work complexity, thereby creating an illusion of personal capabilities. It's also worth noting that you'll be expected to set up your own lab to test tools and techniques in the workplace. Employers may give you the resources to set up virtual computers and networks, but it will be up to you to manage the lab environment and maintain your tools.

Finally, you should know that pre-built labs are not commonly licensed by top cybersecurity professionals. They've realized that setting up a lab is simple, efficient, adaptable, cost-effective, and that it sparks creativity. It also nullifies risk of performing unauthorized actions against systems provisioned by a third-party.

Why MCSI's MICS Curriculum is World Class

why MCSI certifications

Comprehensive, Effective, Exceeds Standards

Holders of the MICS Certificate of Completion have completed 75 practical online exercises thus demonstrating that they have entry-level skills and knowledge in the following areas: OSINT, domain enumeration, operational security, network reconnaissance, port scanning, YARA, and GRC.

why MCSI certifications

Practical, Field-Based

Students must complete hands-on challenges that have been inspired from real-life investigations.

Enrollment and Fees

Fees

Free

How to enroll

  • Step 1 - Login/Register for MCSI's Online Learning Platform
  • Step 2 - Click `Shop` from the left-side menu
  • Step 3 - Find the course, select `Buy` and proceed through the checkout process.

You can purchase the training using a Credit Card or PayPal . The training is immediately available with lifetime access.

How does MCSI Compare?

If you are looking for a certification that will give you an edge in the job market, look no further than MCSI certifications. Thanks to our innovative approach, cybersecurity training is more affordable and effective than traditional methods.

MCSI Certifications Traditional Vendors Industry Conferences Conference Workshop Cybersecurity Bootcamps Cyber Ranges
Cost free $5,000+ $900+ $4,000+ $10,000+ $3,000+
Hours of training 100+ hours 40-48 10+ 16-40 450 40-100
Online Yes Some No No No Yes
practical 100% 50% 0% 50% 50% 100%
Maintenance Level High Low Low Low Low Low
free trial Yes No No No No No
Access to instructors Yes Some No Yes Yes Some

Our pricing is more affordable than our competitors because we have reinvented how cyber training is done online. Our innovative Online Learning Platform is highly effective at teaching cyber security. The platform provides a more engaging and interactive learning experience than traditional methods, which helps students learn and retain skills better. Try the free version and see for yourself.

Enroll now with lifetime access for free

Bloom's Taxonomy

Bloom's Taxonomy is a system for categorizing distinct stages of intellectual growth. It is used in education to assist students comprehend and learn material more effectively. MCSI teaches students how to apply, analyze, evaluate, and create at the highest levels of the taxonomy. The majority of our competitors are simply concerned with getting you to remember concepts.

The intellectual developments outlined in Bloom's Taxonomy are directly tied to your capacity to advance in your cyber security career. Employers look for people who can solve challenges that are worth paying for. With us, you'll learn practical skills that are in demand and applicable to a wide range of cyber occupations.

Industry Recognized Skills

MCSI credentials are well-respected around the world, and organisations searching for people with real cyber security abilities seek them out. Obtaining an MCSI certification verifies your understanding of critical cyber security topics as well as your ability to provide real-world results.

The ability of MCSI's training programme to give students with real-world, hands-on experience is unrivalled. Students must conduct their own research and develop their own answers in order to complete our practical exercises, which are meant to give them the skills they need to be successful in the field.

With MCSI, you will build a comprehensive cybersecurity portfolio of your skills as you complete exercises. This portfolio is a powerful tool for displaying your cybersecurity knowledge and abilities. A portfolio, as opposed to typical resumes and paper-based credentials, presents a more thorough summary of your skills and accomplishments.

Students Feedback

Here's what students say about the MCSI Method™ and our Online Learning Platform:

Student Testimonials

Information Security Professionals made a median salary of $103,590 in 2020. Cybersecurity roles are regularly ranked #1 jobs in the United States.

If you are looking to increase your earning potential, this course will put you on track for jobs that offer a salary of $75,000 to $150,000 per year. Why spend tens of thousands of dollars on degrees or theoretical certifications when you can develop in-demand practical skills in a shorter amount of time?

Enroll now with lifetime access for free

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MCSI Method™?

Common Questions

  • Are solutions included in certifications and bundles?
    • No. Our method of teaching cyber security consists of challenging you with real-world problem statements that you're expected to research and solve by doing your own research. This is how you'll be expected to work in the field. When you fail an exercise, we provide you with constructive feedback to improve and try again.
  • Do bundles, training content, or certificates ever expire? Am I expected to buy again in the future?
    • Upon purchase, bundles and certificates are permanently unlocked with no recurring or ongoing fees.
  • Do I need to buy the training and the certification separately?
    • No. The price provided covers both. You only pay once.
  • Do you offer any special offers and discounts?
    • We understand that many of our customers may be looking for discounts, and we would love to be able to offer them. However, we do not provide discounts because we believe that our prices are fair and reasonable. We work hard to keep our prices low, and we feel that discounts would be unfair to our other customers. We hope you understand.
  • If I can't solve the exercise where do I go for help?
  • Who reviews and marks exercises?
    • Trained cyber security instructors that work for Mossé Cyber Security Institute.
    • MCSI instructors are highly qualified and experienced professionals who are able to teach a variety of topics related to information security. They have the ability to tailor their teaching methods to meet the needs of each student, regardless of their experience level. In addition, they are always up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in information security, which enables them to provide students with the most relevant and current information.
  • We can't pay via credit card. Can you raise an invoice for international wire payment instead?
    • Yes. Send us the list of bundles and certifications you want to purchase at [email protected]
  • Can I access a trial/demo the certification programmes prior to enrolling?
    • We provide a free curriculum with 100+ hours practical exercises you can try.
    • The Free Curriculum teaches Security Tools, Penetration Testing, Red Teaming, Threat Hunting, Cyber Defence, GRC and Windows Internals.
    • Try the Free Curriculum
  • Do you provide Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits?
    • Yes. Every single exercise offers CPE credits. The number of credits earned depends on the difficulty of the exercise completed. Below are the CPE Credits achieve for an exercise in each difficulty:
    • Novice exercises = 1 CPE credits
    • Advanced Beginner exercises = 2 CPE credits
    • Competent exercises = 5 CPE credits
    • Proficient exercises= 8 CPE credits
    • Beyond Proficient exercises = 16 CPE credits
  • Do I need to complete an exam to receive MCSI Certification?
    • No. MCSI Certifications are completed by solving practical cybersecurity exercises.
  • Do I need to purchase cybersecurity tools or subscriptions?
    • No. Only free or trial versions are used in our exercises. You do not require making any purchases.

More Kind Words from Students

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