Cybersecurity Experiential Workshop
A free, 7-hour hands-on workshop. Run a real scenario in our lab, meet the trainers, and find out whether a cybersecurity career suits you before you commit.
Try the work before you commit
Experience the world of cyber in a single, 7-hour hands-on session. You will run real scenarios using the same tools professionals use, and get an honest feel for whether this career path suits you — before committing to anything.
There is no fee, no obligation, and no prior experience required.
What you will do
The workshop is structured as six progressive topic areas, each combining a short demonstration with immediate hands-on practice:
- IP addressing — understand how devices are identified and communicate across networks.
- Online cybersecurity tools — use Shodan and Have I Been Pwned to gather intelligence the way security analysts do.
- Phishing — witness a live phishing demonstration and learn how social engineering attacks are constructed and prevented.
- Steganography — hide and extract data using Windows Command Prompt, exploring how attackers and defenders think about concealment.
- Kali Linux — run basic commands, start an SSH service, and manipulate text on the command line inside a professional security OS.
- Hands-on practice — spend two hours on guided challenge scenarios, then debrief with the trainers.
How you will learn
The session follows an apprenticeship-based training approach: trainers demonstrate techniques on virtual and host machines, emphasising practical showing over lecture slides. Each topic area transitions directly into a practice lab where you apply what you have just seen, reinforcing understanding through real problem-solving rather than passive listening.
Class size: Sessions run with a 1:30 trainer-to-participant ratio, keeping the experience hands-on and personal.
Schedule: Approximately 5 sessions run per month, online, from 10am to 5pm.
Entry requirements
No prior IT or cybersecurity knowledge is required. The only requirement is attendance.
Technical requirements
You will need a laptop (not a tablet or Surface Pro) that meets the following minimum specifications:
- CPU: 6-core, x64-compatible, 2.0 GHz minimum (Intel i5 7th Generation or newer recommended)
- RAM: 16 GB minimum
- Storage: 512 GB available hard-drive space
- Virtualisation: Hypervisor support must be enabled
- Connectivity: Minimum 10 Mbps internet bandwidth
Both Intel-based Windows laptops and MacBook Pro devices are supported.
What comes next
The Cybersecurity Experiential Workshop is the entry requirement for Cybersecurity Career Kickstart+ (CCK+), CFCI’s flagship 7.5-month, fully online career-conversion programme. Completing the workshop gives you firsthand experience of the work before you decide whether to commit to the full programme. If it is not for you, you have lost nothing.
What you will cover
Module 01 IP Address
- Networking basics
- Internal vs external IP addressing
- How devices are identified on the internet
Module 02 Online Cybersecurity Tools
- Shodan — the search engine for internet-connected devices
- Have I Been Pwned — checking exposed credentials
- Interpreting open-source intelligence (OSINT) results
Module 03 Phishing
- Live phishing demonstration
- Social engineering techniques
- Recognising and preventing phishing attacks
Module 04 Steganography
- File-hiding techniques
- Windows Command Prompt basics
- Concealing and extracting data in plain sight
Module 05 Kali Linux
- Basic Linux commands
- Starting and managing an SSH service
- Text manipulation on the command line
Module 06 Hands-on Practice
- Guided practice labs (real-world scenarios)
- 2-hour challenge scenarios
- Debrief and Q&A with trainers
Book your free session
Frequently asked questions
Is the workshop really free?
Yes. The Cybersecurity Experiential Workshop is entirely free to attend. It is also the entry requirement for our flagship Cybersecurity Career Kickstart+ programme.
Do I need any prior experience to join?
No. The workshop is designed for complete beginners with no IT or cybersecurity background. You will be guided through every scenario step by step.
What happens after the workshop?
If it feels right, you can enrol in Cybersecurity Career Kickstart+. If it does not, you have lost nothing but a few hours and gained something genuinely useful.
What laptop do I need to bring?
You will need an Intel-based Windows laptop or MacBook Pro with at least a 6-core CPU (Intel i5 Gen 7+ or equivalent, x64-compatible, 2.0 GHz minimum), 16 GB RAM, 512 GB of available hard-drive space, hypervisor support, and a minimum of 10 Mbps internet bandwidth. Tablets and Surface Pro devices are not suitable.
What if I miss a session?
Please reach out to us and we will assist you further. We run approximately 5 sessions per month, so we can usually find an alternative date that works for you.
Ready to secure your future?
Join a free info session to meet the team, walk through the curriculum and find the right path for you. No IT background needed.