IBM
ISC2

IBM and ISC2 Cybersecurity Specialist Professional Certificate

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

Access provided by Intense Technologies Ltd

24,500 already enrolled

Earn a career credential that demonstrates your expertise

from 14,723 reviews of courses in this program

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

from 14,723 reviews of courses in this program

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
3 months at 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

Advance your career with in-demand skills

  • Receive professional-level training from IBM
  • Demonstrate your technical proficiency
  • Earn an employer-recognized certificate from IBM

Professional Certificate - 12 course series

Introduction to Cybersecurity Careers

Introduction to Cybersecurity Careers

Course 1, 8 hours

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 Assurance
Category: Vulnerability Assessments
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Data Security
Category: Security Awareness
Category: Cyber Security Strategy
Category: Network Security
Category: Computer Hardware
Category: Operating Systems
Category: Information Technology
Category: Cyber Security Policies
Category: Cloud Security
Category: Penetration Testing
Category: Computer Security Awareness Training
Category: Technical Support and Services
Category: Incident Response
Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems

Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems

Course 2, 16 hours

What you'll learn

  • Identify the hardware components of desktops, laptops, and other devices, plus operating system functions, settings, and troubleshooting processes

  • Explore ports, connectors, storage devices, and GPU architectures, and assess appropriate processing and hardware solutions for applications

  • Develop secure IoT integration strategies for wearable devices and smart tech, using effective device management and cybersecurity principles.

  • Evaluate VR and AR technologies for organizational use, assessing hardware requirements, deployment considerations, and practical applications.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Computer Hardware
Category: Peripheral Devices
Category: Operating Systems
Category: User Accounts
Category: Hardware Troubleshooting
Category: Computer Systems
Category: Mac OS
Category: Linux
Category: Network Infrastructure
Category: File Systems
Category: Software Installation
Category: Virtualization
Category: Technical Support
Category: System Configuration
Category: Computer Architecture
Category: Disaster Recovery
Category: Operating System Administration
Category: Virtual Machines
Category: Virtualization and Virtual Machines
Category: Data Storage
Introduction to Software, Programming, and Databases

Introduction to Software, Programming, and Databases

Course 3, 18 hours

What you'll learn

  • Classify, install, and administer software applications and tools, including those used on mobile operating systems

  • Learn foundational concepts in cloud services, browser technologies, and software development models, techniques, and best practices

  • Utilize core database concepts using the principles of database management and perform basic operations to interface with and maintain databases

  • Understand how AI enables intelligent tools such as chatbots, virtual assistants, and generative applications to solve real-world problems

Skills you'll gain

Category: Cross Platform Development
Category: Programming Principles
Category: Generative AI
Category: Computer Programming
Category: Data-Driven Decision-Making
Category: Artificial Intelligence
Category: Software Development Methodologies
Category: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML)
Category: Data Storage Technologies
Category: Data Strategy
Category: Systems Development Life Cycle
Category: Cloud Deployment
Category: Other Programming Languages
Category: Package and Software Management
Category: Cloud Services
Category: Database Application
Category: Cloud Computing Architecture
Category: Generative AI Agents
Category: Database Management Systems
Introduction to Networking and Storage

Introduction to Networking and Storage

Course 4, 12 hours

What you'll learn

  • Explain wired and wireless network types, topologies, cable categories, IP addressing, packet flow, and core protocols

  • Configure secure networks and mobile devices using encryption standards and troubleshooting tools, including the command prompt and Windows Settings

  • Explore memory and storage technologies, including RAM, ROM, RAID, STaaS, file/block/object storage, USB4, and NVMe, andtroubleshooting methods

  • Apply NFC operating modes, Wi-Fi security protocols, and device integration techniques to evaluate modern networking and storage solutions

Skills you'll gain

Category: Wireless Networks
Category: Network Protocols
Category: General Networking
Category: Command-Line Interface
Category: Computer Networking
Category: Network Troubleshooting
Category: Data Storage Technologies
Category: TCP/IP
Category: Networking Hardware
Category: OSI Models
Category: Network Model
Category: Data Storage
Category: Network Security
Category: Wide Area Networks
Category: Local Area Networks
Category: Microsoft Windows
Category: Network Infrastructure
Category: Network Architecture
Category: Network Planning And Design
Category: Telecommunications
Introduction to Cloud Computing

Introduction to Cloud Computing

Course 5, 12 hours

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 Security
Category: Cloud Computing
Category: Cloud Services
Category: Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS)
Category: DevOps
Category: Cloud-Native Computing
Category: Cloud Deployment
Category: Cloud Storage
Category: Cloud Computing Architecture
Category: Virtual Machines
Category: Microservices
Category: Serverless Computing
Category: Hybrid Cloud Computing
Category: IBM Cloud
Category: Cloud Infrastructure
Category: Cloud Technologies
Category: Emerging Technologies
Category: Cloud Engineering
Category: Cloud Platforms
Introduction to Cybersecurity Essentials

Introduction to Cybersecurity Essentials

Course 6, 13 hours

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

Category: Data Security
Category: Malware Protection
Category: Personally Identifiable Information
Category: Multi-Factor Authentication
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Encryption
Category: Cyber Attacks
Category: Information Privacy
Category: Endpoint Security
Category: Data Loss Prevention
Category: Security Controls
Category: Application Security
Category: Data Integrity
Category: Cryptography
Category: Authentications
Category: Vulnerability Assessments
Category: Identity and Access Management
Category: Authorization (Computing)
Category: Security Awareness
Category: Hardening
Security Principles

Security Principles

Course 7, 5 hours

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Category: Cyber Governance
Category: Risk Management Framework
Category: Security Controls
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Information Assurance
Category: Cyber Risk
Category: Security Awareness
Category: Data Ethics
Category: Cyber Security Policies
Category: Governance
Incident Response, BC, and DR Concepts

Incident Response, BC, and DR Concepts

Course 8, 3 hours

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

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

Access Control Concepts

Course 9, 4 hours

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Category: Data Security
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Authentications
Category: Authorization (Computing)
Category: Cyber Security Policies
Category: Data Access
Category: Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Category: Security Controls
Category: User Provisioning
Category: Identity and Access Management
Category: Information Systems Security
Category: Multi-Factor Authentication
Network Security

Network Security

Course 10, 8 hours

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Category: Cloud Services
Category: Network Security
Category: Firewall
Category: Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) Attacks
Category: Threat Management
Category: OSI Models
Category: Network Model
Category: Cyber Attacks
Category: Data Centers
Category: Network Protocols
Category: Threat Detection
Category: Network Planning And Design
Category: IT Security Architecture
Category: General Networking
Category: Cloud Security
Category: Infrastructure Security
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Intrusion Detection and Prevention
Category: Computer Networking
Category: Data Security
Security Operations

Security Operations

Course 11, 8 hours

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Category: Security Controls
Category: Encryption
Category: Cyber Security Policies
Category: Security Awareness
Category: Network Security
Category: Security Management
Category: Network Administration
Category: Patch Management
Category: Continuous Monitoring
Category: Information Technology Operations
Category: System Configuration
Category: Data Security
Category: System Monitoring
Category: IT General Controls (ITGC)
Category: Computer Security Awareness Training
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Cyber Operations
Category: Configuration Management
Category: Event Monitoring
Category: Cryptography
Cybersecurity Case Studies and Capstone Project

Cybersecurity Case Studies and Capstone Project

Course 12, 17 hours

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: Digital Forensics
Category: Penetration Testing
Category: Security Awareness
Category: Network Security
Category: AI Security
Category: Computer Security Incident Management
Category: Cyber Security Assessment
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Threat Detection
Category: Vulnerability Assessments
Category: Exploitation techniques
Category: Malware Protection

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
92 Courses1,984,023 learners
Dee Dee Collette
IBM
11 Courses732,163 learners
Rav Ahuja
IBM
55 Courses5,006,527 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."

¹Career improvement (i.e. promotion, raise) based on Coursera learner outcome survey responses, United States, 2021.