Building the Next Generation of Cyber Defenders with OpenClassrooms and CrowdSec

CrowdSec is excited to announce a partnership with OpenClassrooms, a French-based online education platform focused on vocational training. OpenClassrooms offers courses across IT, technology, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and digital skills, all designed to make learners job-ready.

Their mission is clear: to make education accessible to everyone. At CrowdSec, we share this vision, which inspired the launch of our CrowdSec Academy in 2023. Our free, hands-on courses help learners of all levels strengthen their understanding of cybersecurity principles.

As cyber threats grow faster and more damaging for businesses and institutions, strengthening cybersecurity skills has never been more important. By partnering with OpenClassrooms, we aim to reach a wider audience and share practical, “boots-on-the-ground” insights from our experience in the cybersecurity industry.

OpenClassrooms and CrowdSec unite

Sharing a common vision for accessible, practical learning made this partnership an obvious choice. By combining OpenClassrooms’ expertise in online vocational training with CrowdSec’s hands-on experience in open source cybersecurity, we’re bridging the gap between theory and real-world practice.Our first milestone was the integration of CrowdSec into a French training program for learners looking to launch or advance their careers as systems, networks, and cybersecurity administrators. The program covers designing information systems, implementing backups, managing devices, integrating IT solutions, and other key skills to help professionals secure and optimize their company’s infrastructure.

Our mission at OpenClassrooms is to make our students immediately job-ready. Integrating cutting-edge technology like CrowdSec into our curriculum was a natural fit. Partnering directly with its creators ensures that our learners gain not just knowledge, but the practical, hands-on expertise that companies are actively seeking to defend their infrastructure.

-Etienne Capgras, OpenClassrooms, IT & Cybersecurity Learning Product Manager

Looking ahead, we plan to expand this collaboration with courses tailored for cybersecurity professionals, as well as webinars and live sessions that let learners engage directly with industry experts. The goal is simple: help students learn the fundamentals and gain practical, actionable skills they can use immediately in the workplace.

What learners can expect

According to the World Economic Forum, employers posted 514,000 cybersecurity job openings this year, a 12% increase since 2024. Yet the cybersecurity talent shortage remains a major challenge across industries. This partnership aims to help close that gap by giving learners access to high-quality, accessible cybersecurity education.

OpenClassrooms courses are designed to be practical and hands-on, ensuring students don’t just study theory but build skills they can use immediately in the workplace. From managing systems and networks to responding to real-world security threats, learners gain the confidence and experience needed to step into in-demand roles.

By working together, OpenClassrooms and CrowdSec are not only training students for today’s job market but also preparing them for the challenges of tomorrow’s cybersecurity landscape. 

Cybersecurity is stronger when knowledge is shared. With OpenClassrooms, we’re not just teaching technical skills; we’re fostering a community where learners support one another, exchange ideas, and grow into the next generation of cyber defenders.

– Jona Azizaj, CrowdSec Community Manager

Shaping the next generation of cyber defenders

This is only the beginning of our journey with OpenClassrooms. Together, we’re creating new ways for learners to access cybersecurity knowledge, practice real-world skills, and connect with a community that’s shaping the future of digital defense.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance your career, there are multiple paths to get involved:

• Dive into the OpenClassrooms program to strengthen your technical foundations
• Explore free resources at the CrowdSec Academy to keep learning at your own pace
• Join our upcoming webinar with OpenClassrooms and CrowdSec experts on October 15th