Who it’s for
Beginners who want to practice hands-on, IT pros moving into security, and students preparing for Security+, CySA+, or CEH. No prior cybersecurity experience required. You need a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer with at least 8 GB of RAM, 50 GB of free disk space, and an internet connection for downloads.
What you’ll do
- Set up VirtualBox or VMware.
- Build and segment an isolated lab network.
- Install and configure Kali Linux from scratch.
- Use Nmap, Wireshark, and other core security tools.
- Practice scanning, monitoring, and basic defense in a safe space you control.
What’s included
- 3 modules and 20+ lessons, about 4 hours 45 minutes of work.
- A graded capstone: your Lab Proof Packet, which shows what you built.
- Your Home Lab Setup certificate (Foundations 3) with 4.5 CPE hours, verifiable at cover6solutions.com/verify.
Taught by Tyrone E. Wilson, CEO of Cover6 Solutions and a working vCISO. Aligned with DoD 8140 work role 451, System Administrator.
How it works
Click Start Free on this page and complete the $0 checkout. No card needed. The course appears in your dashboard right away, and you work at your own pace.
What comes next
Put the lab to work in a guided scenario. Cover6: First Watch is a free SOC investigation in your own Splunk lab. Cover6: First Shell is a free first pentest in a browser-based Kali lab. When you want the full course, SOC Analyst Prep Labs ($249) and Pentester Prep Labs ($299) are the next level.