
Security Administrator — career path
StationX Foundation
The first security job for many: keep the systems patched, the accounts right and the controls on. A+, Network+ and Security+ in order, then Linux and Windows administration on real machines, and Microsoft's security, compliance and identity fundamentals.
4 courses · 47 sections · 273 lectures · 36 labs · ≈ 38 h of hands-on labs
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The path
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Step 1 — IT foundation
Hardware, operating systems and troubleshooting — the desk you start at.
follows the whole CompTIA A+ (220-1201 / 220-1202) roadmap: 9 courses · 86 sections · 509 lectures · 62 labs · ≈ 54 h of hands-on labs
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- PathFollow the CompTIA A+ (220-1201 / 220-1202) path — the entry certification for IT support roles
9 courses · 86 sections · 509 lectures · 62 labs · ≈ 54 h of hands-on labs
3 steps — The standard first IT certification and the usual route into a helpdesk or support role.
Step 2 — Networking foundation
How the systems you administer talk to each other.
follows the whole CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) roadmap: 8 courses · 77 sections · 529 lectures · 56 labs · ≈ 45 h of hands-on labs
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- PathFollow the CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) path — the second step of the CompTIA ladder
8 courses · 77 sections · 529 lectures · 56 labs · ≈ 45 h of hands-on labs
4 steps — Networking is the foundation security is built on. The recommended step between A+ and Security+.
Step 3 — Security foundation
The certification that turns an IT administrator into a security one.
follows the whole CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) roadmap: 11 courses · 76 sections · 867 lectures · 148 labs · ≈ 172 h of hands-on labs
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- PathFollow the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) path — the baseline for every security administrator advert
11 courses · 76 sections · 867 lectures · 148 labs · ≈ 172 h of hands-on labs
9 steps — The industry-standard entry certification for a cyber security role.
Step 4 — Administer Linux securely
Users, permissions, services and hardening on the command line.
2 courses · 26 sections · 137 lectures · 21 labs
Learn
- CourseLearn Linux Administration (opens in a new tab)opens on courses.stationx.net 🔒 StationX Membership — $299 / year ($24.92/mo billed annually)
17 sections · 73 lectures
- Training Overview 2
- Course Overview 1
- The Linux Boot Process and System Logging 4
- Disk Management 4
- LVM - The Logical Volume Manager 8
- User Management 4
- Networking 6
- Managing Processes and Jobs 3
- Linux Permissions 5
- Managing Software 2
- Viewing and Editing Files 6
- Shell Scripting 3
- Summary 1
- Put your Skills Into Practice 1
- Command Line Kung Fu 6
- Downloadable Slides 16
- Audio Version of Training 1
- CourseLinux Security and Hardening, The Practical Security Guide (opens in a new tab)opens on courses.stationx.net 🔒 StationX Membership — $299 / year ($24.92/mo billed annually)
9 sections · 64 lectures
- Training Overview 2
- Course Overview and Downloads 1
- General Security 6
- Physical Security 12
- Account Security 10
- Network Security 14
- File System Security 13
- Additional Security Resources 5
- Audio Version of Training 1
Practise
- LabsIntroduction to Linux — 14 labs 🔒 StationX Membership — $299 / year ($24.92/mo billed annually)
- Intro To Linux - Backing Up, Compression, and SchedulingDuration: 1 h
- Intro to Linux - Bash ScriptingDuration: 3 h
- Intro To Linux - Command Line BasicsDuration: 1 h
- Intro To Linux - File SystemsDuration: 1 h
- Intro To Linux - Installing SoftwareDuration: 1 h
- Intro To Linux - KernelDuration: 1 h
- Intro To Linux - Networking ToolsDuration: 1 h
- Intro to Linux - Pipes and FiltersDuration: 2 h
- Intro To Linux - Processes and BootingDuration: 1 h
- Intro to Linux - Routing and SSH TunnelsDuration: 2 h
- Intro To Linux - Sed and AwkDuration: 1 h
- Intro To Linux - Text EditorsDuration: 1 h
- Intro To Linux - Users and GroupsDuration: 1 h
- Linux Familiarization LabDuration: 1 h
- LabsLinux Security & Hardening Fundamentals — 5 labs 🔒 StationX Membership — $299 / year ($24.92/mo billed annually)
- LNX101 - Fail2Ban Setup and AnalysisDuration: 1 h
- LNX101 - File System StructureDuration: 1 h
- LNX101 - OpenSSH Installation, Configuration, and HardeningDuration: 1 h
- LNX101 - Setting Up a Firewall With UFW and FirewalldDuration: 1 h
- LNX101 - Telnet vs. SSHDuration: 1 h
- LabsSystem Administration Training Series — 2 labs 🔒 StationX Membership — $299 / year ($24.92/mo billed annually)
- Linux Users and GroupsDuration: 1 h
- Log AnalysisDuration: 1 h
Step 5 — Administer Windows securely
Active Directory, Group Policy, password policy and system hardening — the enterprise desktop estate. Update management is practised on the A+ step.
2 courses · 21 sections · 136 lectures · 15 labs
Learn
- CourseMicrosoft Windows Server 2019 - Hands-on Training Part I (opens in a new tab)opens on courses.stationx.net 🔒 StationX Membership — $299 / year ($24.92/mo billed annually)
14 sections · 74 lectures
- Training Overview 1
- Section 1: Course Overview 1
- Section 2: Building Your Virtual Lab Environment Using VirtualBox 6
- Section 3: Troubleshooting VirtualBox 2
- Section 4: Building a Windows Server Domain Using PowerShell 7
- Section 5: Domain Naming System (DNS) 8
- Section 6: Configuring the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) 11
- Section 7: Active Directory Administration 5
- Section 8: Server 2019 Administration 11
- Section 9: Group Policy 7
- Section 10: Disk Management 4
- Section 11: Firewall Administration 4
- Section 12: Troubleshooting 6
- Audio Version of Training 1
- CourseActive Directory with Windows Server 2016 (opens in a new tab)opens on courses.stationx.net 🔒 StationX Membership — $299 / year ($24.92/mo billed annually)
7 sections · 62 lectures
- Training Overview 2
- Introduction 1
- Install and Configure AD DS 16
- Managing and Maintaining AD DS 16
- Create and Manage Group Policy 10
- Implement AD Certificate Services 8
- Implement Identity Federation and Access Solutions 9
Practise
- LabsWindows Security & System Hardening — 3 labs 🔒 StationX Membership — $299 / year ($24.92/mo billed annually)
- Auditing Service Accounts and Creation of Service Accounts To Run Specific ServicesDuration: 1 h
- Detecting Changes to System ConfigurationsDuration: 1 h
- PAM LabDuration: 1 h
- LabsSystem Administration Training Series — 2 labs 🔒 StationX Membership — $299 / year ($24.92/mo billed annually)
- Windows System Hardening with Group Policy & Active DirectoryDuration: 2 h
- Windows System Hardening with PowerShellDuration: 2 h
- Infra LabsActive Directory Domain Services — 10 labs 🔒 Add StationX Infrastructure Labs — $149 / year · 3 attempts per lab in any 12 months
- Manage Active Directory GroupsLevel: GuidedDuration: 30 min
- Manage Active Directory UsersLevel: GuidedDuration: 30 min
- Manage Organizational UnitsLevel: GuidedDuration: 30 min
- Create and Manage Group Policy ObjectsLevel: GuidedDuration: 30 min
- Configure Group Policy Settings and PreferencesLevel: GuidedDuration: 30 min
- Configure Group Policy ProcessingLevel: GuidedDuration: 30 min
- Can You Implement and Manage Group Policy?Level: AdvancedDuration: 45 min
- Configure Domain and Local Password Policy SettingsLevel: GuidedDuration: 30 min
- Delegate Password Settings ManagementLevel: GuidedDuration: 30 min
- Can You Manage Active Directory Password Policy Settings, Account Lockout Policy Settings, Fine-Grained Password Policies, and Delegated Management?Level: AdvancedDuration: 45 min
Step 6 — Administer cloud identity
What Microsoft's identity, security and compliance tools do (Entra ID, Defender, Purview), at fundamentals level — where many admin desks now work. This step has no Microsoft 365 administration labs.
follows the whole Microsoft Security, Compliance and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900) roadmap: 1 course · 6 sections · 155 lectures · 22 labs · ≈ 19 h of hands-on labs
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- PathFollow the Microsoft Security, Compliance and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900) path — Microsoft's security, compliance and identity fundamentals, with the Defender labs
1 course · 6 sections · 155 lectures · 22 labs · ≈ 19 h of hands-on labs
3 steps — The entry Microsoft security certification — the security, compliance and identity story across Microsoft 365 and Azure.
Open the full Microsoft Security, Compliance and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900) roadmap →
Where this leads
Choose your next roadmap
Advanced · after the job
The AI-Driven Security Administrator
Senior roles are going to the people who can direct AI to build security solutions. When you're working in the role and ready for that step, the AI Master's Program is where it's taught — an advanced, application-only programme.
See the AI Master's Program →Application-only. A separate programme for when you're ready.








