This is the first course in the Google Cybersecurity Certificate. In this course, learners will be introduced to the cybersecurity profession, including the primary job responsibilities and core skills of entry-level analysts; significant events that led to the development of the cybersecurity field; and security’s continued importance to organizational operations. Learners will also explore the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) eight security domains, common security frameworks and controls, as well as the confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) triad. This course covers a wide variety of cybersecurity topics to provide an overview of what’s to come in this certificate program. Learners who complete the eight courses in the Google Cybersecurity Certificate will be equipped to apply for entry-level cybersecurity roles. No previous experience is necessary.
Cultivate your career with expert-led programs, job-ready certificates, and 10,000 ways to grow. All for $25/month, billed annually. Save now
Foundations of Cybersecurity
This course is part of Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate
Instructor: Google Career Certificates
Top Instructor
1,162,984 already enrolled
Included with 
(32,527 reviews)
What you'll learn
Recognize core skills and knowledge needed to become a cybersecurity analyst
Identify how security attacks impact business operations
Explain security ethics
Identify common tools used by cybersecurity analysts
Details to know
Add to your LinkedIn profile
5 quizzes, 8 assignments
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Build your Computer Security and Networks expertise
- 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
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
There are 4 modules in this course
This module provides an overview of Course 1 and provides an introduction to the security certificate program. It introduces the instructor, Coursera platform, content types, learning procedures, and gives learners the opportunity to meet one another. It defines the field of security, describes the primary job responsibilities of those who work in the field, and highlights core skills. Finally, Module 1 offers guidance to learners who are interested in starting careers in the field of security.
What's included
10 videos8 readings1 quiz2 assignments4 plugins
This module offers an overview of how security threats have appeared and evolved alongside the mainstream adoption of computers and subsequent explosion of the Internet. It also discusses how past and present attacks have influenced the development of the security field. Additionally, the module provides a high-level overview of eight security domains
What's included
7 videos4 readings1 quiz2 assignments1 plugin
This module offers an overview of security frameworks and controls, and how they are used to mitigate organizational risk. It also covers the CIA triad and various NIST frameworks. Additionally, the module provides an explanation of security ethics.
What's included
7 videos3 readings1 quiz2 assignments1 plugin
This module offers an overview of common tools used by security analysts to help identify and eliminate risk. It covers SIEM tools, network protocol analyzers, and how security analysts may use programming languages such as SQL and Python.
What's included
5 videos8 readings2 quizzes2 assignments1 plugin
Instructor
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Computer Security and Networks
Kennesaw State University
Infosec
Build toward a degree
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Learner reviews
32,527 reviews
- 5 stars
87.93%
- 4 stars
10.41%
- 3 stars
1.12%
- 2 stars
0.24%
- 1 star
0.27%
Showing 3 of 32527
Reviewed on Jan 17, 2025
The Google Cybersecurity Professional instructors are excellent! They provide clear explanations, effective communication, and use graphical descriptions to make complex concepts easy to understand.
Reviewed on Nov 30, 2023
Reviewed on Feb 25, 2025
Estoy muy satisfecho con esta plataforma y los cursos, siento que ha sido una excelente inversion. La plataforma es muy intuitiva y entrega de forma conscinstente los conocimientos, me agrada mucho.
New to Computer Security and Networks? Start here.
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
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
More questions
Financial aid available,