IBM
ISC2
IBM and ISC2 Cybersecurity Specialist Professional Certificate

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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

16,384 already enrolled

Earn a career credential that demonstrates your expertise
4.8

(620 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

(620 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

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Taught in English

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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: Data Security
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Cyber Security Strategy
Category: Network Security
Category: Computer Security Awareness Training
Category: Technical Support and Services
Category: Cyber Security Policies

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: User Accounts
Category: System Configuration
Category: Hardware Troubleshooting
Category: Disaster Recovery
Category: Mac OS
Category: Networking Hardware
Category: Technical Support
Category: Linux
Category: Computer Architecture

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: Database Management
Category: Software Versioning
Category: Programming Principles
Category: Software Development Life Cycle
Category: Cloud Computing
Category: Databases
Category: Computer Programming
Category: Computing Platforms
Category: Web Applications
Category: Browser Compatibility
Category: Information Technology
Category: Software Installation
Category: Application Development
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: Networking Hardware
Category: Local Area Networks
Category: Data Storage
Category: Network Troubleshooting
Category: TCP/IP
Category: Network Infrastructure
Category: Network Administration
Category: Network Architecture
Category: Computer Networking
Category: System Configuration
Category: Cloud Services
Category: Command-Line Interface
Category: OSI Models
Category: Microsoft Windows
Category: Cloud Storage

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

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

Security Principles

Course 75 hours

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

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

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

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

Access Control Concepts

Course 94 hours

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

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

Network Security

Course 108 hours

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

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

Security Operations

Course 118 hours

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

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

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: Artificial Intelligence
Category: Threat Management
Category: Threat Detection
Category: Vulnerability Assessments
Category: Malware Protection
Category: Computer Security Incident Management
Category: Security Awareness
Category: Cyber Threat Intelligence
Category: Network Security

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 Courses1,359,450 learners
Dee Dee Collette
IBM
10 Courses609,369 learners
Rav Ahuja
IBM
56 Courses3,904,134 learners

Offered by

IBM
ISC2

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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 (7/1/2024 - 7/1/2025)