Decoded Security

Cybersecurity is not too hard. You are just studying the wrong things.

Plain-English cybersecurity from someone who runs it for a living, and hires the people who do it. Start free, pass your first certificate, and land the job.

Take the free CC Readiness Test New here? Start with the free guide

1,316 people downloaded the free guide · 5.0 from 13 ratings

Start here

Where are you right now?

Pick the one that sounds like you. Each starts free.

New to cybersecurity

Learn what actually matters first

The 10 concepts that show up in every interview and every exam, in plain English. About 3 hours, with a diagram for each one.

Get the free guide
Going for the ISC2 CC

See where you stand, then start Week 1

The free Readiness Test scores you on all 5 CC domains in 15 minutes. Then the free Week 1 Kit gives you the first 7 days of the full plan.

Get the free Week 1 Kit Or take the Readiness Test first →
Ready to get hired

Choose your path and build a CV that gets read

The 5 career paths, a 90-day plan, and how I read your CV when I'm hiring. Not sure which path fits? The free quiz tells you in 2 minutes.

See the 90-Day Blueprint Or take the free path quiz →
Pass the CC

Pass the ISC2 CC on your first attempt. In 30 days.

New · Founding price

The 30-Day CC First-Try Pass Plan

One topic a day, 30 to 45 minutes. Built on the new CC exam outline that took effect on September 1, 2026. You always know what to study today, and you know when you're ready.

  • A 69-page day-by-day plan: a lesson, the exam trap and a worked question every day
  • 22 online quizzes and 2 timed mock exams, scored by domain
  • The CC Exam Map, 104 flashcards and the CC Glossary
  • The CC study channel on Discord
Pass-or-Paid-Back Promise. Do every day, score 80% or more on both mock exams, and sit the exam within 60 days. If you don't pass, you get every dollar back. Plus a 14-day refund for any reason.
$27 Founding price for the first 50 buyers See the 30-Day Plan

Want to try it first? Week 1 is free. Only need a final review? The CC Exam Map covers all 5 domains on 7 pages for $17.

Get hired

From certificate to first job

A certificate gets your CV a second look. It doesn't get you the job. These do, in this order.

Step 1 · Direction

The 90-Day Cybersecurity Job Blueprint

Pick one of the 5 paths, follow a 90-day plan, and see how I read your CV as a hiring manager. Second edition, 29 pages.

$29.99 4.9 from 7 ratings · 55 buyers See the Blueprint
Step 2 · Proof and CV

The Get Hired Kit

3 portfolio projects, an ATS resume template, an application tracker, LinkedIn templates and the 30 interview questions that come up most. Includes the Blueprint.

$49 Everything in the Blueprint, and more See the Kit
Step 3 · 1:1 with me

Hiring Manager Review

A 45-minute call where I read your CV and LinkedIn the way I read candidates, tell you if I'd invite you, and rewrite your weakest parts with you.

$297 Only 5 a month See the Review
What readers say

Real reviews, from Gumroad

“Erich has created an easy-to-follow program that will give you a leg up on others applying for the same role.”

eyespy4 · 90-Day Blueprint

“The emphasis on direction over just technical background was spot on, and the way each role was explained made the field much easier to understand.”

Verified buyer · 90-Day Blueprint
Who is behind this

I am Erich. I run security for a living as Head of IT Security and Compliance, I am CISSP certified, and I hire the people you want to become. Decoded Security is where I explain what actually matters, in plain English, from the other side of the hiring table.

More free resources

Free guides and hands-on labs

You do not have to trust me yet. Start with these, decide for yourself, and keep what helps.

Free

Cybersecurity Interview Cheat Sheet

3 simple techniques to sound like a pro in your interview, even as a complete beginner.

5.0 from 2 ratings Get it free
Free lab

Run Your First Linux Environment in 60 Minutes

Get hands-on with Linux fast. No prior setup, no fear. Just do it.

5.0 from 1 rating Get it free
Free lab

NAT Lab: Watch NAT Happen in Real Time

See network address translation actually happen, instead of just reading about it.

Hands-on mini lab Get it free
Free · CISSP

CISSP Domain 1: Security and Risk Management Checklist

The first CISSP domain distilled into a focused study checklist.

5.0 from 2 ratings Get it free

See every resource, including the CISSP guides →

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