Security
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Frequently Asked Questions about Security
You’ll find cybersecurity, network security, software security, internet security, data security, and blockchain. Core skills include cryptography, risk assessment, and access control to help differentiate yourself in IT. You can browse focused areas via topics like Cybersecurity, Network Security, and Software Security.
Information security, also known as information technology (IT) security, is the implementation and maintenance of systems to protect information or data. This includes responsibility for the security of data in all forms, including not only internet-connected computers but paper files, other types of physical media, and data stored offline.
While cybersecurity is a subset of this field, it is focused primarily on the security of electronic data and computer technologies from threats via the internet. At the same time, many information security specialists also deal with common cybersecurity issues such as ransomware, spyware, viruses, and malware.
Information security professionals need a combination of skills. On one hand, it's important to possess a framework for assessing and managing threats from wherever they originate, including a background in risk management, information security policies and procedures, data analysis, and good communications skills to present your findings and recommendations.
At the same time, IT security specialists need a strong set of cybersecurity skills, since that will inevitably be a major area of work. That includes capabilities in computer programming, intrusion detection, system log analysis, firewall and data encryption, malware prevention, and more.
In this fast-changing field, it's also important to always keep up to date on new trends as well as threats. Whether you're just starting in IT security or are a veteran in the field, you'll benefit from reading the latest data protection news, following cybersecurity legislation, and keeping abreast of emerging best practices and techniques.
No—many options in the Security category are designed for beginners. Courses like Foundations of Cybersecurity and IBM’s Introduction to Cybersecurity Tools & Cyberattacks start from first principles. You can build skills progressively across courses, Specializations, and Professional Certificates.
The Security category features the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate, ISC2 Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP), and IBM and ISC2 Cybersecurity Specialist. These programs focus on security operations, systems security, and industry-relevant tools. They’re designed to help you develop practical skills for entry-level roles.
Some of the topics that you can study that are related to security include information systems, cybersecurity, risk assessment, and access control, among others. The issue of computer security in our web-connected world is one of fundamental importance. As such, it would help you to study topics like data breaches, password security, privacy, malware, and virus protection, in order to more completely learn the key aspects of security.
Yes—try Cybersecurity for Business and Cybersecurity: Developing a Program for Your Business. These Specializations help you understand risks, governance, and program development. They’re designed for leaders aiming to secure their organizations.
You can deepen your technical foundation with degrees like the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences, MS in Computer Science, MS in Information Systems, and Master of Information Technology. These programs complement security coursework and career goals. They offer flexible, online learning from top universities.
For cloud, explore the Security in Google Cloud Specialization and the Security with AWS: IAM Guided Project. For networks, see IBM’s Computer Networks and Network Security and the VPN Tunneling with OpenVPN Guided Project. These options help you strengthen both cloud and on‑prem security skills.
