Scribd
Upload
19 views4 pages

Learning Road Map and Resources

GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) is a framework that helps organizations align IT with business goals, manage risks, and ensure regulatory compliance. Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) play a crucial role in risk management by identifying vulnerabilities and supporting compliance through evidence for audits. A structured roadmap for beginners in cybersecurity is provided, covering essential topics such as networking, ethical hacking, and hands-on practice to build foundational skills.

Uploaded by

allankimutai16
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
19 views4 pages

Learning Road Map and Resources

GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) is a framework that helps organizations align IT with business goals, manage risks, and ensure regulatory compliance. Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) play a crucial role in risk management by identifying vulnerabilities and supporting compliance through evidence for audits. A structured roadmap for beginners in cybersecurity is provided, covering essential topics such as networking, ethical hacking, and hands-on practice to build foundational skills.

Uploaded by

allankimutai16
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

GRC stands for Governance, Risk, and Compliance—a strategic framework used by

organizations to align IT with business objectives, manage risk, and meet regulatory
requirements.

Here's what each component means:


Governance: Ensures that business objectives are defined clearly and that IT and
security align with those objectives. It involves policies, roles, responsibilities, and
decision-making frameworks.

Risk: Involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks to the organization’s


information assets, operations, and reputation. This includes everything from cyber
threats to operational failures.

Compliance: Ensures the organization meets regulatory, legal, and contractual


obligations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS). Compliance frameworks define how
security controls are implemented and audited.

Where Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) / Ethical


Hacking Fits In:
Penetration testing (pentesting) falls under Risk Management and Compliance:

Risk Management Role:

Penetration tests simulate real-world attacks to identify vulnerabilities that could be


exploited.

Helps assess the likelihood and impact of threats, which feeds into a risk register or
risk matrix.

Supports risk mitigation decisions, such as patching, hardening systems, or adjusting


access controls.

Compliance Role:

Many regulations and standards require or recommend pentesting (e.g., PCI DSS
requires it annually and after major changes).

Penetration test reports serve as evidence during audits to demonstrate the


effectiveness of security controls.
Resources:
Before diving into cybersecurity, it's important to build a strong foundation. The field
is vast, and starting with the right knowledge will help you understand the basics and
grow into more advanced topics with confidence. Below is a step-by-step roadmap
designed for beginners and those transitioning into cybersecurity. Follow these steps
in order to build the core skills needed to explore technical specializations later on.

1. Understanding Cybersecurity
Start by learning what cybersecurity is, why it matters, and how it protects systems,
networks, and data from cyber threats. This includes understanding common types
of attacks (like phishing and malware), key cybersecurity principles (such as
confidentiality, integrity, and availability), and the roles within the industry.

👉 Kharim Mchatta - https://youtu.be/aN0mVyo_XY4?si=7HPdGl1jz039p8c4


2. Introduction to Networking
Networking is the backbone of cybersecurity. You’ll need to understand how
computers communicate, how IP addresses and ports work, what protocols like
TCP/IP and HTTP do, and how data moves across networks. Tools like Wireshark
can help you visualize this traffic in real-time.

👉 Enock Mgonga - https://youtu.be/M4-YEv5x-oM?si=gWTi_VmnOfR_ds_L


3. Setting Up Your Virtual Labs
Hands-on practice is essential. Learn how to create a safe and controlled
environment using virtual machines (VMs) with platforms like VirtualBox or VMware.
This allows you to test tools, simulate attacks, and practice safely without risking
your main computer.

👉 Kharim Mchatta - https://youtu.be/fBxSxxNKxvE?si=oUVPe7Ja7DJRskno


4. Introduction to Kali Linux
Kali Linux is a popular operating system used by cybersecurity professionals and
ethical hackers. It comes with a wide range of pre-installed tools for penetration
testing, forensics, and vulnerability assessment. Get comfortable using the Linux
terminal and navigating file systems.

👉 Kharim Mchatta - https://youtu.be/vwcAwTk8kug?si=0dUP2zFe9NVDu3p8


5. Introduction to Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
OSINT is the practice of collecting publicly available information about individuals,
organizations, or systems. This skill is critical in many areas of cybersecurity, from
reconnaissance in ethical hacking to digital forensics and threat intelligence.

👉 Mrisho Zuberi - https://youtu.be/GU4d6slAAwQ?si=J6q9QxLAZRHDFqUX


6. Introduction to Ethical Hacking
Ethical hacking involves legally testing systems for weaknesses so they can be fixed
before attackers find them. Learn the stages of ethical hacking (such as
reconnaissance, scanning, gaining access, and maintaining access) and understand
the importance of legal and ethical boundaries.

👉 Kharim Mchatta - https://youtu.be/bN0UEF3ZzFI?si=lvAZLGMDdOWkBzEA


👉 Taha Farooq - https://youtu.be/FN7U5aOsRNA?si=R8sHxaiPMWQ75I9c
7. Introduction to Penetration Testing
Penetration testing (or pentesting) is a more structured and in-depth form of ethical
hacking. It simulates real-world cyberattacks to identify and fix security weaknesses.
Begin with basic techniques like scanning for vulnerabilities and move on to
exploiting simple flaws.

👉 John Musyoki - https://youtu.be/GwNMeshrN_c?si=-bgATt3tQaMZmf6v


8. Introduction to Capture The Flag (CTF) Challenges
CTF challenges are gamified exercises where you solve cybersecurity puzzles to
"capture flags" (hidden strings or clues). CTFs help you apply your knowledge in
real-world scenarios across categories like cryptography, forensics, web security,
and more. They are a fun and engaging way to learn.

👉 Hackersploit - https://youtu.be/Kdq8_g9Nomk?si=kfwN3IBc1C9AUKfg
👉 John Collins - https://youtu.be/OCEmxkCjoXg?si=iCpA8ElBACSQ7tp4
Conclusion
By following this roadmap step-by-step, you’ll gain a well-rounded understanding of
cybersecurity fundamentals.
In addition to this guide, we’ve shared other valuable resources with you, including
recommended YouTube channels—many of which cover the topics outlined above.
Exploring these additional materials will provide different perspectives and help
reinforce your learning.

We encourage you to go beyond the provided content: do your own research,


explore multiple learning sources, and stay curious. The more you expose yourself to
different explanations and real-world examples, the deeper your understanding will
become.

Most importantly, don’t just watch—practice.


Hands-on experience is essential in cybersecurity. Use virtual labs, participate in
challenges, and experiment with tools. Practical application of what you learn will
build your skills, boost your confidence, and prepare you for more advanced areas of
the field.

You might also like