The Syllabus: Your Cybersecurity Weiterbildung Curriculum in Detail
From fundamentals to specialization. Discover the modules, tools, and certifications that will make you an in-demand Cybersecurity Analyst in 12 months.
3-14 Months
100% Funded
Official Certifications
Industry Internship
How Your Cybersecurity Weiterbildung is Structured
Module 1: Cybersecurity Fundamentals
Covers Python, Networks, and Operating Systems, leading to the CompTIA Tech+ certification (Network+ optional).
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Module 2: Core Cybersecurity Topics
Learn key concepts and gain hands-on experience in Networking, Web Hacking, and GRC, leading to the CompTIA Security + Certification.
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Module 3: Enterprise & Cloud Security
Dive deeper into advanced topics in cloud engineering and cloud security, and gain the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Certification and another optional certification.
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Module 4: Specializations
Learn cybersecurity compliance and certify for IHK Cyber Security Advisor and PECB ISO 27001. Then, dive deep into an area of your choice like SOC, Cloud, Pentesting, or GRC and work for an additional certification in that area.
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A Day in the Life of a Cybersteps Student
You’ll experience an interactive classroom environment with your peers, instructors, and teaching assistants through a combination of live lectures, hands-on workshops, and collaborative team projects.
No two days are the same, but here’s an example of what a day at Cybersteps can look like:
Your morning begins with a daily opening and 2 live class sessions led by a senior Cybersteps instructor, with a short break in between. We start by reviewing the day’s plan, followed by learning new tools, concepts, and technologies through real-time demonstrations and interactive participation. The session also gives you the opportunity to ask questions and deepen your understanding.
I Am Ready To Start
After class, you will reinforce your knowledge through self-paced exercises and hands-on labs designed to simulate real-world cybersecurity challenges, allowing you to practice and refine your skills at your own pace with the full support of our teachers and mentors who are always available to you.
I Am Ready To Start
You’ll have a dedicated hour-long lunch break to step away, recharge, and refuel before diving back into your training.
I Am Ready To Start
After lunch, you’ll participate in a group review session, a personal review session, or have extra time for labs and projects. Often times we bring senior cybersecurity managers to give a guest lecture and share their perspective on recent advancements, market developments, or advice on building a career in cyber.
I Am Ready To Start
In this session, you’ll continue strengthening your skills through self-paced exercises and hands-on labs, tackling real-world cybersecurity challenges. You’ll have the full support of our teachers and mentors, ensuring you can practice, refine, and master each concept at your own pace.
I Am Ready To Start
At the end of the day, you’ll have time to fill in any gaps and prepare for the next day. We’ll guide you in reviewing materials, experimenting with tools, and completing light exercises to reinforce key concepts, ensuring that class time stays focused on practical, hands-on learning
I Am Ready To Start
Master the Tools of the Trade
From computer basics, programming, networks, and operating systems, to cloud security, AI, pentesting, and GRC – our syllabus includes all the topics you need to master to get your next job in cybersecurity.
- Python Programming
- Operating Systems – Linux, Windows
- Computer Networks
- Cloud Engineering and Security with Azure
- General AI tools and techniques
- AI tools for cybersecurity
- Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR)
Real-World Experience: Projects and Your Internship
- Reverse Classroom methodology: a proven approach from leading universities built around three stages: students review videos and materials before class to prepare at their own pace, participate in small, expert-led sessions with live demos and Q&A during class, and then reinforce their skills afterward with exercises and increasingly challenging labs.
- Hands-on projects: Apply what you learn through real-world projects, group challenges, and capstones that simulate cybersecurity work.
- Industry internship: Through our network of partnerships, we have access to over 400 companies in Germany and Europe. We’ll match you with employers from our partner network for interviews to find the right position for you. Internship placement is guaranteed for students who meet basic performance requirements – and we work hard to get every motivated student there, with the vast majority successfully placed.
Official Industry Certifications
Our curriculum includes preparation for multiple industry-recognized certifications, including IHK, designed to strengthen your professional profile and help you get hired faster. All exam vouchers and preparation included. Read the full certification overview to learn more about each certification.
Up to
9,855€
Of Certification Value Included
CompTIA Tech+
Monetary Value: €560
CompTIA Security+
Monetary Value: €1,550
Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
Monetary Value: €660
IHK Cyber Security Advisor
Monetary Value: €2,490
PECB ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer
(Optional)
Monetary Value: €1,320
BSI IT-Grundschutz Practitioner
(Optional)
Monetary Value: €1,730
Hack The Box CDSA
(Optional)
Monetary Value: €885
Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals
(Optional)
Monetary Value: €660
Choose your own additional certification
We’ll fund up to €500 toward an additional certification of your choice: Cisco, AWS, Microsoft, Google, or any other recognized provider so you can boost your skills in cloud, networking, pen-testing, compliance, and more. Additional certification terms
We Support You Until You Land a Job
Build a professional LinkedIn and resume tailored for a cybersecurity analyst, and learn how to adjust each CV you send for each company and position to optimize your chances. In addition, you will learn how to use LinkedIn for networking and job search (not just applying to the job ads!).
Learn how to use LinkedIn and job boards to find open cybersecurity analyst positions and get interviews, and how to supplement your applications with networking and other tips that will help you stand out.
Learn best practices for acing technical and behavioral cybersecurity analyst interviews. Practice with simulations built by experienced interviewers and get personal feedback that will help you improve.
Your career advisor will help you understand the market salaries for each role and prepare for salary negotiations. You can lookup estimated salaries in our Cybersecurity salary calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Curriculum
Making a career change is a big decision – we want you to have all the information you need.
Cybersteps offers tracks for both complete beginners and career changers with no IT background, as well as for people with existing IT experience looking to upskill into cybersecurity. Module 1 builds all foundational skills from scratch, while those with an IT background can start directly in Module 2 for a shorter program.
Yes. Depending on the scope you want to cover, you can choose a program length anywhere between 3 and 9 months. Experienced participants can skip Module 1 and start directly in Module 2: Core Topics in Cybersecurity, shortening the overall program while still working toward core certifications like CompTIA Security+ and beyond.
Fill out our application to receive a personal admissions call to request a customized syllabus for a shorter program here.
No prior knowledge of cybersecurity or programming is required. Our Cybersecurity Weiterbildung is designed to support all levels of experience. Motivation, determination, and passion are better indicators of success than prior experience. However, to thrive in our program, you should have:
- Comfort with learning in German or in English
- Basic computer skills
Yes. If the full 12-month program isn’t the right fit for your situation, you can enroll in a shorter 6–9-month program with an adjusted scope that’s still highly effective at building job-ready skills. We also provide full support to continue your professional development after the program ends, so you’re never left without guidance on your next steps.
An internship placement is available to students who complete the full 12-month program and meet basic performance requirements along the way. The vast majority of our students meet these criteria and are successfully placed in an internship with one of our partner companies.
Through our network of over 400 partner companies across Germany and Europe, we match each student individually for an internship based on their interests, specialization, and availability.
AI tools are a great productivity booster for work, including day-to-day cybersecurity tasks. Our curriculum covers essential AI technologies and tools and recommends using AI when suitable. Don’t worry – you’ll receive guidance and learn how to leverage generative AI effectively for your role in cybersecurity.
Both. We use a Purple Team approach: you’ll practice offensive techniques (recon, exploitation, post-ex) and defensive skills (SIEM, incident response, hardening) in hands-on labs. Understanding how attacks work makes you a stronger defender – and vice versa.
No — the program runs full-time on a fixed daily schedule (live classes, guided practice, and review sessions from 9:00–18:00), so while your day can be flexible, it isn’t compatible with a parallel job or university studies. It’s designed for participants who can commit to it as their primary activity.
The program is fully funded through the Bildungsgutschein (education voucher) for eligible participants — meaning no out-of-pocket tuition cost.
Yes. Every student who enrolls in a 6-14 month program receives a brand-new Lenovo ThinkPad (or similar) laptop to use throughout training — free to keep after 6+ months in the program. Students who complete the full 12-month Core Curriculum also receive a free monitor and keyboard.
Your live daily sessions are led by experienced cybersecurity instructors, many with backgrounds in elite military cyber units and top cybersecurity firms. You’re also supported around the clock by teaching assistants, get 1-on-1 mentorship and career coaching from dedicated HR/career advisors, and hear from guest industry experts throughout the program.
You’ll work toward an IHK Cyber Security Advisor certification (or PECB ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer) in Module 4, along with a certification in every other module: CompTIA Tech+ (Module 1), CompTIA Security+ (Module 2), Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 plus AZ-104 or SC-200 (Module 3), and a specialization certificate of your choice — covering paths like SOC Analyst, Penetration Testing, Security Engineering, GRC, Project Management, and Application Security. All exam vouchers and full exam preparation are included and paid for by Cybersteps.
Ready to Build a New Career?
Check if you are eligible for a Bildungsgutschein-funded training program
