Automate Cybersecurity Tasks with Python

This course is part of Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate

Instructor: Google Career Certificates

Access provided by Motlow State Community College

317,184 already enrolled

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

3,514 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

3 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

3,514 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

3 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Explain how the Python programming language is used in cybersecurity
Create new, user-defined Python functions
Use regular expressions to extract information from text
Practice debugging code

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Python Programming

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

17 assignments

Taught in English

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

Learn more about Coursera for Business

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

Build your Computer Security and Networks expertise

This course is part of the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Professional Certificate.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate from Google

There are 4 modules in this course

This is the seventh course in the Google Cybersecurity Certificate. In this course, learners will be introduced to the Python programming language and learn how to apply it to a security setting to automate tasks. First, learners will focus on key foundational Python programming concepts, including data types, variables, conditional statements and iterative statements. Next, they will learn to work effectively with Python by developing functions, using libraries and modules, and making their code readable. Following this, they will explore working with string and list data. A final component of learning to automate tasks through Python will be an exploration of how to import and parse files, and then the course will conclude with a focus on debugging.

By the end of this course, you will: - Explain how the Python programming language is used in cybersecurity. - Write conditional and iterative statements in Python. - Create new, user-defined Python functions. - Use Python to work with strings and lists. - Use regular expressions to extract information from text. - Use Python to open and read the contents of a file. - Identify best practices to improve code readability. - Practice debugging code.

This module provides an introduction to the Python programming language. It explains how Python is used in cybersecurity. It also introduces learners to foundational concepts including data types, variables, conditional statements, and iterative statements.

What's included

12 videos11 readings4 assignments8 ungraded labs1 plugin

12 videos Total 51 minutes

Introduction to Course 7 3 minutes
Ángel: My personal career journey 3 minutes
Welcome to module 1 2 minutes
Python and cybersecurity 4 minutes
Create a basic Python script 3 minutes
Akash: Python and the cybersecurity professional 2 minutes
Data types in Python 6 minutes
Work with variables in Python 8 minutes
Conditional statements in Python 9 minutes
For loops 5 minutes
While loops 6 minutes
Wrap-up 1 minute

11 readings Total 64 minutes

Course 7 overview 4 minutes
Helpful resources and tips 4 minutes
Get to know Python 4 minutes
Python environments 4 minutes
Lab tips and troubleshooting steps 4 minutes
More about data types 8 minutes
Assign and reassign variables in Python 8 minutes
More on conditionals in Python 8 minutes
More on loops in Python 12 minutes
Reference guide: Python concepts from module 1 4 minutes
Glossary terms from module 1 4 minutes

4 assignments Total 74 minutes

Test your knowledge: Introduction to Python programming in cybersecurity 8 minutes
Test your knowledge: Core Python components 8 minutes
Test your knowledge: Conditional and iterative statements 8 minutes
Module 1 challenge 50 minutes

8 ungraded labs Total 255 minutes

Activity: Practice writing Python code 35 minutes
Exemplar: Practice writing Python code 20 minutes
Activity: Assign Python variables 50 minutes
Exemplar: Assign Python variables 20 minutes
Activity: Create a conditional statement 50 minutes
Exemplar: Create a conditional statement 20 minutes
Activity: Create loops 40 minutes
Exemplar: Create loops 20 minutes

1 plugin Total 10 minutes

Identify: Select the correct iterative statement 10 minutes

This module expands the learners’ ability to effectively work with the Python programming language. They will learn about both pre-built and user-defined Python functions. They will also explore how modules help provide access to reusable code. Finally, they will learn how to make their code readable.

What's included

10 videos7 readings4 assignments4 ungraded labs

10 videos Total 33 minutes

Welcome to module 2 1 minute
Introduction to functions 3 minutes
Create a basic function 3 minutes
Use parameters in functions 5 minutes
Return statements 4 minutes
Explore built-in functions 6 minutes
Modules and libraries 3 minutes
Code readability 5 minutes
Dorsa: Use Python efficiently on a cybersecurity team 2 minutes
Wrap-up 1 minute

7 readings Total 48 minutes

Python functions in cybersecurity 8 minutes
Functions and variables 8 minutes
Work with built-in functions 8 minutes
Import modules and libraries in Python 8 minutes
Ensure proper syntax and readability in Python 8 minutes
Reference guide: Python concepts from module 2 4 minutes
Glossary terms from module 2 4 minutes

4 assignments Total 74 minutes

Test your knowledge: Introduction to functions 8 minutes
Test your knowledge: Arguments, parameters, and return statements 8 minutes
Test your knowledge: Learn from the Python community 8 minutes
Module 2 challenge 50 minutes

4 ungraded labs Total 115 minutes

Activity: Define and call a function 35 minutes
Exemplar: Define and call a function 20 minutes
Activity: Create more functions 40 minutes
Exemplar: Create more functions 20 minutes

In this module, learners will explore more options for working with strings and lists in Python, and discover methods that can be applied to these data types. They will apply this knowledge to write a short algorithm. Finally, learners will use regular expressions to search for patterns in strings.

What's included

7 videos5 readings4 assignments6 ungraded labs1 plugin

7 videos Total 37 minutes

Welcome to module 3 1 minute
String operations 6 minutes
String indices and slices 6 minutes
List operations in Python 8 minutes
Write a simple algorithm 6 minutes
Regular expressions in Python 8 minutes
Wrap-up 1 minute

5 readings Total 30 minutes

Strings and the security analyst 8 minutes
Lists and the security analyst 8 minutes
More about regular expressions 8 minutes
Reference guide: Python concepts from module 3 4 minutes
Glossary terms from module 3 2 minutes

4 assignments Total 74 minutes

Test your knowledge: Work with strings 8 minutes
Test your knowledge: Work with lists and develop algorithms 8 minutes
Test your knowledge: Regular expressions 8 minutes
Module 3 challenge 50 minutes

6 ungraded labs Total 210 minutes

Activity: Work with strings in Python 50 minutes
Exemplar: Work with strings in Python 20 minutes
Activity: Develop an algorithm 45 minutes
Exemplar: Develop an algorithm 20 minutes
Activity: Use regular expressions to find patterns 55 minutes
Exemplar: Use regular expressions to find patterns 20 minutes

1 plugin Total 10 minutes

Practice: Work with index values 10 minutes

This module explores putting Python into practice. Learners focus on automating security-related tasks. Part of this requires working with files. After learners are introduced to opening and reading files, they will then learn to parse files and structure their contents. Finally, learners will focus on strategies for debugging their code.

What's included

11 videos12 readings5 assignments6 ungraded labs

11 videos Total 39 minutes

Welcome to module 4 1 minute
Automate cybersecurity tasks with Python 4 minutes
Clancy: Continual learning and Python 2 minutes
Access a text file in Python 4 minutes
Parse a text file in Python 3 minutes
Develop a parsing algorithm in Python 7 minutes
Debugging strategies 6 minutes
Matt: Learning from mistakes 3 minutes
Apply debugging strategies 6 minutes
Wrap-up 1 minute
Course wrap-up 2 minutes

12 readings Total 66 minutes

Automating Tasks in CI/CD 10 minutes
Essential Python components for automation 8 minutes
Import files into Python 8 minutes
Work with files in Python 8 minutes
Portfolio Activity Exemplar: Update a file through a Python algorithm 4 minutes
Explore debugging techniques 8 minutes
Reference guide: Python concepts from module 4 4 minutes
Glossary terms from module 4 4 minutes
Reflect and connect with peers 2 minutes
Reference guide: Python concepts from Course 7 4 minutes
Course 7 glossary 2 minutes
Get started on the next course 4 minutes

5 assignments Total 104 minutes

Test your knowledge: Python and automation 8 minutes
Test your knowledge: Work with files in Python 8 minutes
Test your knowledge: Debug Python code 8 minutes
Portfolio Activity: Update a file through a Python algorithm 30 minutes
Module 4 challenge 50 minutes

6 ungraded labs Total 185 minutes

Activity: Import and parse a text file 40 minutes
Exemplar: Import and parse a text file 20 minutes
Activity: Create another algorithm 50 minutes
Exemplar: Create another algorithm 20 minutes
Activity: Debug Python code 35 minutes
Exemplar: Debug Python code 20 minutes

Earn a career certificate

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

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(852 ratings)

Google Career Certificates

Google

386 Courses 15,730,671 learners

Offered by

Google

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."

Learner reviews

5 stars
84.60%
4 stars
10.35%
3 stars
2.53%
2 stars
1.16%
1 star
1.33%

Showing 3 of 3514

Reviewed on Aug 27, 2023

Awesome course. It takes you from scratch and step by step takes you high up. As always, in the course, there are practices and on your own too, in your journey, you must practice

Reviewed on May 14, 2024

The instructions in the parsing module were very vague to me. I would like more of a thorough walk through so to speak as in previous modules, especially in the lab portions.

Reviewed on Oct 25, 2024

The tasks were very good. I was already a python coder, but still I found new things. I hope you all the best and my deep thanks to you and all the members of google instructers , thanks again.

View more reviews