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A free, hands-on cybersecurity foundations certificate

Hackviser launched a free Certified Cybersecurity Foundations (CORE) certificate for beginners, covering topics such as threat management, network basics, generative AI security, and cryptology. The self-paced program includes practical exercises and a final assessment, preparing learners for more advanced certifications like CAPT.

read3 min views1 publishedJul 16, 2026
A free, hands-on cybersecurity foundations certificate
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CORE is Hackviser's free foundations certificate for cybersecurity beginners. Learn essential security concepts, threat and incident management, network and web basics, generative AI security, OSINT, phishing awareness, cryptology fundamentals, and practical security exercises.

Why Choose CORE? #

A free, practical foundation before specialized Hackviser certification paths

Free Foundations Certificate

Start your cybersecurity certification path without a paywall. CORE gives beginners a clear first milestone.

Security Vocabulary

Learn the key terms, concepts, and practical context beginners need before choosing a specialized cybersecurity path.

Beginner Friendly

No prior cybersecurity experience required. Learn essential concepts step by step with a structured path.

Modern Security Topics

Cover current foundations including OWASP Top 10 (2025) risks and LLM security fundamentals.

Practical Exercises

Move beyond theory with beginner-friendly security exercises that introduce practical Hackviser lab thinking.

Structured Validation

Earn a focused foundations credential that marks readiness for deeper security training and certification.

Skills You'll Learn #

Build the baseline knowledge required to understand practical cybersecurity work

CORE Curriculum #

Foundational cybersecurity learning path with practical exercises and CAPT readiness

Introduction

Start with the essential cybersecurity concepts and terminology

Threat and Incident Management

Understand attack stages and how security teams respond to incidents

Network and Web Fundamentals

Build the network and web foundations needed for modern security work

Generative AI Security

Learn foundational security risks in AI and LLM-powered applications

Reconnaissance and Social Engineering

Explore information gathering and phishing awareness from a security perspective

Cryptology Fundamentals

Recognize common encodings, hashes, and data representations used in security exercises

Practical Exercises

Apply the foundations through beginner-friendly security exercises

Frequently Asked Questions #

Everything you need to know about the CORE certification

How does the CORE certification work?

CORE is a free, self-paced certification path. Learners complete the required cybersecurity foundations modules, practical security exercises, and the final assessment. Once the requirements are completed and approved, the certificate can be issued through Hackviser.

Is CORE free?

Yes. CORE is designed as a free foundational Hackviser certification for learners who want to build cybersecurity basics before moving into more specialized programs.

Who should take CORE?

CORE is built for beginners, students, career switchers, and anyone who wants a structured starting point before CAPT or other Hackviser certification programs.

Does CORE prepare me for CAPT?

Yes. CORE is positioned as the recommended first step before CAPT. It covers cybersecurity, threat and incident management, network and web fundamentals, AI security, OSINT, phishing awareness, cryptology fundamentals, and practical exercises that make the CAPT path easier to approach.

How long does it take to complete CORE?

Most learners can complete CORE in about 3 days, depending on prior experience and daily study time. The program is self-paced, so there is no fixed deadline.

Does CORE include an exam?

CORE includes a final assessment focused on foundational understanding and beginner-level practical readiness. CAPT remains the next step for a full practical penetration testing certification path.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. After completing the CORE requirements, eligible learners can receive the Certified Cybersecurity Foundations certificate issued by Hackviser.

Ready to Start with CORE? #

Build your cybersecurity foundation for free, then continue your path with CAPT and other Hackviser certifications.

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