IBM
ISC2
IBM and ISC2 Cybersecurity Specialist Professional Certificate

Early bird sale! Unlock 10,000+ courses from Google, IBM, and more for 50% off. Save today.

IBM
ISC2

IBM and ISC2 Cybersecurity Specialist Professional Certificate

Get job-ready to launch your cybersecurity career. Build the information security skills and hands-on experience employers look for in less than 4 months. No prior experience required.

IBM Skills Network Team
Dee Dee Collette
Rav Ahuja

Instructors: IBM Skills Network Team

15,853 already enrolled

Earn a career credential that demonstrates your expertise
4.8

(594 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
3 months, 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace
Prepare for a degree
Earn a career credential that demonstrates your expertise
4.8

(594 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
3 months, 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace
Prepare for a degree

What you'll learn

  • The job-ready skills needed to get your first cybersecurity role, plus prep for the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) exam employers look for.

  • A solid grasp of IT essentials, including infrastructure, operating systems, network applications, data, hardware, and software.

  • Working knowledge of different security threats, breaches, malware, social engineering, and other attack, and tools for preventing these threats.

  • The most up-to-date practical skills and knowledge cybersecurity specialists use in their daily roles, supported by hands-on practical experience.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

 logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Professional Certificate - 12 course series

What you'll learn

  • Compare the roles and responsibilities of various careers within the cybersecurity field and how to progress from one level to the next level.

  • Map IT fundamental skills, technical skills, and soft skills to the different job roles at various levels in cybersecurity.

  • Identify the required certifications such as Security+, A+, CISSP, and CEH   for different job roles and the contents of each certification.

  • Discover the right role for you in cybersecurity and learn how to prepare for your chosen career path.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Information Technology
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Information Assurance
Category: Technical Support and Services
Category: Network Security
Category: Cyber Security Policies
Category: Computer Security Awareness Training

What you'll learn

  • Demonstrate an understanding of operating system fundamentals.

  • Recognize desktop and laptop hardware components and devices.

  • Identify and describe internal desktop and laptop computer components, interfaces, and peripherals.

  • Explain basic workstation setup, locate operating system settings, and identify good troubleshooting practices.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Computer Hardware
Category: Operating Systems
Category: Microsoft Windows
Category: Peripheral Devices
Category: System Configuration
Category: User Accounts
Category: Hardware Troubleshooting
Category: Mac OS
Category: Linux
Category: Networking Hardware
Category: Technical Support
Category: Computer Architecture
Category: Disaster Recovery

What you'll learn

  • Classify, install, configure, and manage software including mobile platforms.

  • Discuss cloud computing and web browser concepts.

  • Explain software development models, techniques, and concepts.

  • Describe fundamental database management concepts.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Computing Platforms
Category: Computer Programming
Category: Database Management
Category: Software Versioning
Category: Software Development Life Cycle
Category: Cloud Computing
Category: Databases
Category: Programming Principles
Category: Software Installation
Category: Web Applications
Category: Application Development
Category: Information Technology
Category: Browser Compatibility
Category: Data Maintenance

What you'll learn

  • Identify wired and wireless network types, explain physical and logical topology, differentiate network cable types and what each is used for.

  • List common network devices. Discover what packets are and how IP addresses work, and explain what protocols are and why models are necessary.

  • Determine how to set up and encrypt networks and mobile devices. Diagnose connectivity issues and utilize the command prompt and Windows Settings.

  • List network drive types, explain RAM, ROM, and RAID, and troubleshoot storage issues. Explain STaaS, and define file, block, and object storage.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Wireless Networks
Category: Network Protocols
Category: General Networking
Category: Local Area Networks
Category: Networking Hardware
Category: Data Storage
Category: Network Troubleshooting
Category: OSI Models
Category: Command-Line Interface
Category: Hardware Troubleshooting
Category: Network Architecture
Category: Computer Networking
Category: TCP/IP
Category: Cloud Storage
Category: System Configuration
Category: Cloud Services

What you'll learn

  • Define cloud computing and explain essential characteristics, history, the business case for cloud, and the emerging technologies enabled by cloud

  • Describe the cloud service models- IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, and cloud deployment models- Public, Private, Hybrid; explain cloud infrastructure components

  • Explain emerging Cloud related trends including HybridMulticloud, Microservices, Serverless, Cloud Native, DevOps, and Application Modernization

  • List and describe services of popular cloud platforms including AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, Alibaba Cloud, and others

Skills you'll gain

Category: Cloud Services
Category: Cloud Computing
Category: Cloud Infrastructure
Category: Hybrid Cloud Computing
Category: Cloud Computing Architecture
Category: Cloud-Native Computing
Category: Emerging Technologies
Category: Cloud Storage
Category: Serverless Computing
Category: Cloud Security
Category: Cloud Development
Category: Cloud Management
Category: Cloud Hosting
Category: Cloud Engineering
Category: Cloud Solutions
Category: Virtual Machines
Category: Cloud Platforms
Category: Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS)
Category: Technical Services
Category: Cloud Technologies

What you'll learn

  • Recognize the importance of data security, maintaining data integrity, and confidentiality

  • Demonstrate the installation of software updates and patches

  • Identify preferred practices for authentication, encryption, and device security

  • Discuss types of security threats, breaches, malware, social engineering, and other attack vectors

Skills you'll gain

Category: Data Security
Category: Malware Protection
Category: Encryption
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Multi-Factor Authentication
Category: Cyber Attacks
Category: Personally Identifiable Information
Category: Computer Security Awareness Training
Category: Information Privacy
Category: Hardening
Category: Network Security
Category: Security Controls
Category: Threat Management
Category: Information Systems Security
Category: Security Awareness
Security Principles

Security Principles

Course 75 hours

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Category: Security Controls
Category: Cyber Governance
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Data Integrity
Category: Security Awareness
Category: Risk Management Framework
Category: Cyber Security Policies
Category: Information Assurance
Category: Data Ethics
Category: Cyber Risk

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Category: Disaster Recovery
Category: Incident Response
Category: Security Management
Category: Business Continuity
Category: Crisis Management
Category: Information Assurance
Category: Cybersecurity
Access Control Concepts

Access Control Concepts

Course 94 hours

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Category: Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Category: Security Controls
Category: Cyber Security Policies
Category: Identity and Access Management
Category: Data Access
Category: Authentications
Category: Security Awareness
Category: Authorization (Computing)
Network Security

Network Security

Course 108 hours

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Category: Firewall
Category: Network Security
Category: TCP/IP
Category: Threat Detection
Category: Infrastructure Security
Category: General Networking
Category: Encryption
Category: Threat Management
Category: Computer Networking
Category: Network Planning And Design
Category: Network Protocols
Category: Data Centers
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Cloud Computing
Category: Cyber Attacks
Security Operations

Security Operations

Course 118 hours

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Category: Encryption
Category: Security Controls
Category: Network Security
Category: Cyber Security Policies
Category: System Monitoring
Category: Security Management
Category: Configuration Management
Category: Security Strategy
Category: General Networking
Category: Continuous Monitoring
Category: Computer Security Awareness Training
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Event Monitoring
Category: Data Management
Category: Data Security

What you'll learn

  • Hands-on experience in analyzing cybersecurity case studies to identify threat tactics and assess vulnerabilities you can talk about in interviews

  • Demonstrable, practical skills for applying response frameworks and forensic techniques to real-world breach scenarios

  • Expertise in penetration testing and compliance analysis to evaluate organizational security regarding compliance successes and failures

  • Hands-on experience with researching real-world data breach scenarios and analyzing them to propose recommendations

Skills you'll gain

Category: Incident Response
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Vulnerability Management
Category: Penetration Testing
Category: Security Awareness
Category: Threat Management
Category: Cyber Threat Intelligence
Category: Malware Protection
Category: Vulnerability Assessments
Category: Computer Security Incident Management
Category: Artificial Intelligence
Category: Threat Detection

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Get a head start on your degree

When you complete this Professional Certificate, you may be able to have your learning recognized for credit if you are admitted and enroll in one of the following online degree programs.¹

 
ACE Logo

This Professional Certificate has ACE® recommendation. It is eligible for college credit at participating U.S. colleges and universities. Note: The decision to accept specific credit recommendations is up to each institution. 

Instructors

IBM Skills Network Team
IBM
84 Courses1,323,324 learners
Dee Dee Collette
IBM
10 Courses603,303 learners
Rav Ahuja
IBM
56 Courses3,810,238 learners

Offered by

IBM
ISC2

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Coursera Plus

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Frequently asked questions

¹ Median salary and job opening data are sourced from Lightcast™ Job Postings Report. Content Creator, Machine Learning Engineer and Salesforce Development Representative (1/1/2024 - 12/31/2024) All other job roles (6/1/2024 - 6/1/2025)