Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?

Yes, it is highly recommended to take the courses in the order they are listed, as they progressively build on concepts taught in previous courses.

Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?

At this time, college credit is not available for completing this program.

How long does it take to complete the Specialization?

The specialization is self paced and can be completed as quickly or slowly you prefer. If spending 10 hours a week you can complete the specialization in 1 month. Spending 2-3 hours a week will take about 3 months.

Can I just enroll in a single course?

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Can I take the course for free?

No, you cannot take this course for free. When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

Cybersecurity Fundamentals Specialization

Cybersecurity Fundamentals Specialization

Unlock your cybersecurity professional potential. Develop fluency in essential Cybersecurity skills and competencies and safeguard your digital assets.

Instructors: IBM Skills Network Team

Included with Coursera Plus

Learn more

4 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.8

(195 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

3 months at 2 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Earn a career credential

Share your expertise with employers

4 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.8

(195 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

3 months at 2 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Earn a career credential

Share your expertise with employers

What you'll learn

Identify common security threats and risks; explain characteristics of cyberattacks and best practices to guard against them
Discuss cybersecurity fundamentals, including topics like the five security principles, CIA triad, IAM, endpoint security, and security domains
Explain how organizations respond to, recover from, and continue to operate during unplanned disruptions
Explain cybersecurity roles, including their key responsibilities, daily tasks, career path, relevant certifications, and salary ranges

Overview

Vigilance against cyberthreats and attacks becomes increasingly important year over year as we continue to accelerate the amount of sensitive information in digital, web-accessible formats. Do you want to arm yourself with the required knowledge to ensure protection for yourself or your organization? Take this cybersecurity Specialization to learn the basics!

This cybersecurity fundamentals program from IBM can help every individual with limited or no experience in IT or cybersecurity, whether you are a developer, a manager, an IT professional, or a digital consumer interested in learning about issues in the field and the measures you can take to ensure organizational security.

This specialization will equip learners with an understanding of the fundamental concepts, processes, tools, and strategies of cybersecurity, in combination with hands-on exercises and activities, to gain the experience necessary to implement security best practices and take informed decisions in case of a cyberattack.

Investigate topics like authorization, authentication, encryption, firewalls, detection, safety practices, and safe-guarding applications, data, and networks. Explore cybersecurity-related roles and career paths. Get started with your cybersecurity learning today!

What’s included

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

34 practice exercises

Advance your subject-matter expertise

Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
Earn a career certificate from IBM

Specialization - 4 course series

This Specialization emphasizes applied learning and includes a series of hands-on activities and projects. In these exercises, you’ll take the theory and skills you’ve gained and practice them with real-world scenarios.

You will explore networking ports and protocols and perform network troubleshooting. You will install Windows updates, anti-virus software, and use Windows Defender firewall. Additionally, manage browser privacy settings and configure a secure network. Regarding cybersecurity-related careers, you will search for job postings with the required skills and qualifications for specific roles and even start to develop your own resume and portfolio.

Introduction to Cybersecurity Essentials

Course 112 hours4.8 (1,072 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Learn how to identify common cybersecurity threats, including malware, social engineering, breaches, and other attack vectors
Install software updates and patches, and apply authentication, encryption, and device-hardening techniques to protect sensitive information
Explore physical security, environmental safeguards, and access control measures used to prevent unauthorized access and ensure business continuity
Apply cybersecurity best practices using strong password creation and management strategies, and identify use cases for encryption

Skills you'll gain

Encryption, Personally Identifiable Information, Multi-Factor Authentication, Cyber Attacks, Malware Protection, Cybersecurity, Information Privacy, Vulnerability Assessments, Security Awareness, Authorization (Computing), Identity and Access Management, Security Controls, Data Integrity, Computer Security Awareness Training, Authentications, Hardening, Cryptography, Application Security, and Data Security

Cybersecurity Architecture

Course 212 hours4.9 (150 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Describe the five foundational principles of cybersecurity and the Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (CIA) triad
Summarize the different areas that a cybersecurity architect must adopt to develop a secure enterprise solution
Discuss the different security domains, including IAM, endpoint security, network security, application security, and data security
Demonstrate your proficiency in recommending methods to improve network security in a given scenario

Skills you'll gain

Data Security, Application Security, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Cyber Attacks, Endpoint Detection and Response, Firewall, Endpoint Security, Identity and Access Management, Secure Coding, Network Security, Cybersecurity, Cyber Security Strategy, Threat Detection, Data Governance, Authentications, Authorization (Computing), Security Testing, Security Controls, and Infrastructure Security

Encryption and Cryptography Essentials

Course 316 hours5.0 (42 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Job-ready encryption and cryptography skills for cybersecurity employers need in just 4 weeks.
How to classify cryptographic algorithms and key exchange protocols and identify their applications in securing data 
How to identify and apply encryption techniques to secure communication and ensure data privacy. 
How to use hashing algorithms and digital signatures in blockchain to secure transactions, validate identities, and ensure data integrity.

Skills you'll gain

Data Encryption Standard, Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Encryption, Public Key Infrastructure, Cryptography, Cryptographic Protocols, Cybersecurity, Network Security, Blockchain, Authentications, Data Security, Data Integrity, and Algorithms

Introduction to Cybersecurity Careers

Course 48 hours4.7 (912 ratings)View course

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

Cybersecurity, Data Security, Information Technology, Cyber Security Policies, Cyber Security Strategy, Cyber Security Assessment, Technical Support and Services, Information Systems Security Assessment Framework (ISSAF), Network Security, Information Assurance, General Networking, Security Awareness, Cyber Risk, and Computer Security Awareness Training

Earn a career certificate

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

Instructors

IBM Skills Network Team

IBM

84 Courses1,565,598 learners

Dee Dee Collette

IBM

11 Courses641,309 learners

Jeff Crume

IBM

3 Courses13,813 learners

Offered by

IBM

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Frequently asked questions

Anyone interested in getting a basic understanding of cybersecurity concepts. Basic knowledge of IT and networking terminology is recommended for better understanding of the content.

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings, and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

This Specialization is open for anyone with any job and academic background.

After completing the specialization you will be able to:

Identify common security threats and risks; explain characteristics of cyberattacks and best practices to guard against them.
Discuss the foundational concepts of the five cybersecurity principles and the CIA triad.
Explain how organizations respond to, recover from, and continue to operate during unplanned disruptions.
Explain cybersecurity roles, including their key responsibilities, daily tasks, career path, relevant certifications, and salary ranges.

Cybersecurity Fundamentals Specialization

What you'll learn

Overview

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

What’s included

Advance your subject-matter expertise