I wish I had a course like this 20 years ago. I could have prevented being a cyber-victim and losing my retirement funds.
I grew up in an era without computers, even without electricity or TV. My entertainment came from the radio and books. It wasn’t until my postgraduate years that I encountered computers, thanks to studying at a university with mainframe systems.
Fast forward to 1980, I got my hands on an XT PC, which felt like a luxury. It connected me to AARNET, the Australian Academic and Research Network, which in turn connected to global networks like ARPANET.
By the mid-1990s, the Internet became public, and Australia embraced it — we needed it, being such an isolated country. Back then, while cybersecurity wasn’t a widely recognized term, there were certainly efforts to protect computer systems and networks from threats like viruses and worms.
What Happened to Me after 53 Years of Hard Work
Then, after retiring from 53 years of service in 2020, I fell victim to an organized cyber-scam and lost a significant part of my retirement savings. It was not first time though. I was scammed multiple times before due to my naivety and lack of cybersecurity knowledge.
My kids said I was still living in the 1960s, but thankfully, my grandkids stepped in, teaching me a few tricks to stay safe online. Playing with their apps and games, I picked up a little cybersecurity. Later, I dove into academic papers to understand it better.
But in 2023, I was shaken again when my online account got cloned. Seeing scammers use my name and a profile photo disturbed me, and I almost quit the platform — until my mentor, Dr Mehmet Yildiz (Main), my mentor convinced me to stay and promised to help. Then like his countless ones,, my account got cloned at least seven times. I recently read that Medium suspended 212K illegitimate accounts.
When I asked him if I needed formal training, I was discouraged by the high costs — most courses were over $1,000. Dr. Yildiz reassured me: “No need to pay. My former employer, IBM offers a free course you can take at your own pace.”
He sent me the link, and I enrolled. To my surprise, it was a four-week, professionally designed course, filled with practical tips that validated everything I’d learned from reading. It was such a valuable experience that I felt compelled to share this story with you — if it helped me, it could help you too.
Introduction to IBM Cybersecurity Basics
This course offers a fun yet challenging introduction to cybersecurity, covering the basics and history of information security. You’ll explore different types of cyber threats, the tools used to prevent attacks, and learn how to protect your privacy.
You’ll explore key topics like cryptography, firewalls, penetration testing, and the CIA triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability). The course also covers social engineering tactics like phishing and vishing and explains why critical thinking is essential for cybersecurity professionals. I wish I knew these things before.
No prior experience is needed — just a computer, internet connection, and eagerness to learn at your own pace from home. If you’re interested in certifications, this course offers valuable insights to help you prepare for the CompTIA CASP+ exam.
Here is the link to enrol for free. I believe you will enjoy it.
What is next for me?
After finishing the cybersecurity basics and thanking Dr. Yildiz — who has a massive tech background — I asked him what I should learn next. He knows I’m a lifelong learner.
He asked, “Mike, what do you want to do, and what skills are you looking to gain?”
I wasn’t entirely sure, but I mentioned that I’d like to develop analytical skills so I could write about cybersecurity and educate my clients and readers. I also wanted something affordable and self-paced, just like the course I had just completed.
“No worries,” Dr. Yildiz said. “IBM has another course, offered through Coursera.” I worried it might be expensive, but when he told me there was a 7-day free trial and then only $72 per month, it was music to my ears.
I enrolled immediately. With over 212K people already signed up, I knew it wasn’t a scam. Dr. Yildiz reassured me: “IBM would never scam. It is a 150 year company with integrity. They always support nonprofits with free courses and white papers.” He himself has donated plenty of knowledge to charity education initiatives, so I trust him.
I’m not sure if I’ll earn a certificate or badge, but just the idea of learning more analytical skills excited him — and it excites me too. I’ll keep learning and, of course, share what I learn with you along the way.
Here is the link for interested readers.
For those who don’t know, IBM, born on June 16, 1911, has been around for 113 years, a bit older than me so I see it as a lifetime of innovation.
Back then, it wasn’t even called IBM. It started as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (C-T-R), before getting the now-famous International Business Machines name in 1924. The company began with a focus on tabulating machines, even helping the U.S. Census Bureau process data.
Fast-forward a century, and IBM evolved from simple mechanical devices to becoming a global tech powerhouse. They played a major role in the rise of mainframes, the development of the personal computer, and even trailblazed modern tech fields like AI and cloud computing.
Through it all, they’ve stayed relevant by constantly reinventing themselves — pretty cool for a 113-year-old, don’t you think?
IBM also has a great reputation for supporting education and non-profits. They offer free courses, like the Cybersecurity Basics course I just finished, which shows how committed they are to sharing knowledge globally. If only all companies had that same spirit!
Thank you for reading my thoughts and feelings.
My stories, of course, never include health or professional advice.
I am a retired healthcare scientist in his mid-70s, and I have several grandkids who keep me going and inspire me to write on this platform. I am also the chief editor of the Health and Science publication on Medium.com. As a giveback activity, I volunteered as an editor for Illumination publications, supporting many new writers. I will be happy to read, publish, and promote your stories. You may connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Quora, where I share stories I read. You may subscribe to my account to get my stories in your inbox when I post. You can also find my distilled content on Subtack: Health Science Research By Dr Mike Broadly.
Lessons Learned from My Personal Stories
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I enjoy guest blogging at digitalmehmet.com content ecosystem. I encourage new writers to join us. It is free and moderated. The owner and chief editor Dr Mehmet Yildiz wrote an inspiring story to invite guest bloggers to digitalmehmet. You can read the story below on Medium.com if you are a writer there.
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