Certified Cybersecurity Foundations
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.