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Introduction to Cybersecurity Careers

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BeginnerCourse

Discover the fundamentals of cybersecurity careers in this beginner-level course. Learn essential skills like cybersecurity principles and information security practices. Explore pathways in cybersecurity, focusing on CompTIA and ISC2 certifications. Gain foundational knowledge to start your journey in the security field.

4.7 (752 Reviews)

Language

  • English

Topic

  • Security

Industries

  • CyberSecurity

Enrollment Count

  • 64.17K

Skills You Will Learn

  • CyberSecurity, Information Security, CyberSecurity Careers, CompTIA Certifications, ISC2 Certifications

Offered By

  • IBMSkillsNetwork

Estimated Effort

  • 4 Weeks/2-3hrs

Platform

  • Coursera

Last Update

  • July 15, 2025
About this Course


Course Syllabus

Abstract
This course offers a look into the expanding field of cybersecurity. It is designed to empower students with the knowledge required to find and secure a career in the industry. The course begins by addressing the widening employment gap in cybersecurity, detailing the various roles and responsibilities associated with different career levels. The second module highlights the importance of technical and soft skills, providing a balanced approach to professional development. In the third module, the course delves into the beneficial role of certifications. The  lessons provide an overview of the most recognized certifications in the field and explain the preparation process for certification exams. 
Course Learning Objectives
After completing this course, a learner will be able to:
  • Identify cybersecurity careers and career paths
  • Identify the different skills required for cybersecurity careers
  • Describe the available cybersecurity certifications 
Course Description
Course Outline
  • Module 1: Cybersecurity Careers
  • Module 2: Cybersecurity Skills 
  • Module 3: Cybersecurity Certifications
  • Module 4: Final Assessment and Final Project

Module 1 - Cybersecurity Careers

Description
In this module, learners will learn about various cybersecurity career roles,  typical responsibilities, and salary potential. Learners will also learn about the typical path to those cybersecurity careers.
Objectives
By the end of this week, you will be able to:
  • Explain the cybersecurity field. 
  • Describe the steps needed to get into the cybersecurity field. 
  • Compare the roles and responsibilities of various careers within the cybersecurity field. 
Topics
  • Cybersecurity field  
  • Entry-level careers and responsibilities 
  • Mid-level careers and responsibilities 
  • Advanced-level careers and responsibilities 
Assets 
Lesson 0: Welcome
  • Video: Course introduction
  • Video: Overview of Cybersecurity Specialist PC
  • Reading: How to make the most of this course
  • Reading: Course syllabus
Lesson 1: The cybersecurity field 
  • Video: Why cybersecurity
  • Reading: A growing field 
  • Video: Expert viewpoints: What is the best part about working in the cybersecurity field? 
  • Video: How to get into the cybersecurity field    
Lesson 2: Entry-level careers and responsibilities 
  • Video: Entry-level careers
  • Reading: Entry-level roles, responsibilities, and salaries
  • Video: Expert viewpoints: Getting started as a Cybersecurity Professional
Lesson 3: Mid-level careers and responsibilities 
  • Video: Mid-level careers 
  • Reading: Mid-level roles, responsibilities, and salaries
  • Video: Expert viewpoints: A Day in the Life of a Cybersecurity Professional
Lesson 4: Advanced-level careers and responsibilities 
  • Video: Advanced-level careers
  • Reading: Advanced-level roles, responsibilities, and salaries 
  • Activity: Cybersecurity career paths
  • Video: Expert viewpoints: Cybersecurity Career Path
Lesson 5: Module 1 Summary and Assessment 
  • Reading: Module 1 Summary 
  • Practice Quiz: Module 1 Practice quiz
  • Reading: Module 1 Glossary:   
  • Graded Quiz: Module 1 Quiz 

Module 2 - Cybersecurity Skills 

Description
In this module, learners will learn about the technical and soft skills that are required  to attain different levels of cybersecurity careers.
Objectives
By the end of this week, you will be able to:
  • Explain the importance of technical skills in the cybersecurity field. 
  • Identify technical skills important for a cybersecurity professional. 
  • Explain the importance of soft skills in the cybersecurity field. 
  • Identify soft skills important for a cybersecurity professional.
Topics
  • Technical skills 
  • Soft skills 
Assets
Lesson 1: Technical skills - IT fundamentals
  • Video: Importance of IT fundamentals technical skills
  • Reading: IT fundamentals technical skills facts   
  • Video: Expert viewpoints: Fundamental IT skills. 
Lesson 2: Technical skills – Cybersecurity
  • Video: Importance of cybersecurity technical skills 
  • Reading: Cybersecurity technical skills facts
  • Video: Expert viewpoints: Cybersecurity technical skills.
Lesson 3: Soft skills 
  • Video: Importance of soft skills
  • Reading: Soft skills facts 
  • Video: Expert viewpoints: Soft skills
Lesson 4: Module 2 Summary and Assessment 
  • Reading: Skills to job role mapping (Table/Infographic)
  • Reading: Module 2 Summary 
  • Practice Quiz: Module 2 Practice quiz
  • Reading: Module 2 Glossary:   
  • Graded Quiz: Module 2 Quiz

Module 3 - Cybersecurity Certifications

Description
In this module, learners will learn about the different levels of cybersecurity certifications available and learn how best to prepare to attain them. 
Objectives
By the end of this week, you will be able to:
  • Explain the benefits of industry certifications. 
  • Identify certifications available for cybersecurity professionals. 
  • Describe the process for preparing for and taking a certification exam. 
Topics
  • Benefits of industry certifications
  • Cybersecurity certifications 
  • Preparing for and taking a certification exam
Assets
Lesson 1: Benefits of Certifications 
  • Video: Benefits of cybersecurity certifications
  • Reading: Cybersecurity certifications facts 
  • Video Expert Viewpoints: Benefits of certifications.
Lesson 2: Certifications
  • Video:  Overview of Cybersecurity Certifications 
  • Reading: CompTIA certifications 
  • Reading: ISC2 certifications 
  • Reading: Other certifications (include industry)
  • Video: Expert viewpoints: Impact of certifications. 
Lesson 3: Preparing for a certification exam
  • Video: Choosing the right certification 
  • Video: Study for the exam 
  • Video: Schedule and take the exam 
  • Video: Expert viewpoints: Tips for taking and passing a certification exam
Lesson 4: Module 3 Summary and Assessment
  • Reading: Module 3 Summary 
  • Practice Quiz: Module 1 Practice quiz
  • Reading: Module 3 Glossary   
  • Graded Quiz: Module 3 Quiz

Module 4 - Course Summary and Final Assessment

Description
In this module, learners will get a summary of cybersecurity careers, skills, and certifications and perform a final graded assessment to assess their understanding of the course content.
Objectives
By the end of this week, you will be able to:
  • Summarize cybersecurity careers
  • Summarize cybersecurity skills 
Topics
  • Summary of cybersecurity careers
  • Summary of cybersecurity skills
Assets
Lesson 1: Course Summary and Final Assessment 
  • Reading: Course Summary 
  • Glossary: Cumulative 
  • Graded Quiz: Final Assessment
Lesson 2: Course Wrap-Up
  • Video: Expert Viewpoints: Tips for a Cybersecurity Career
  • Reading: Congratulations and Next Steps 
  • Reading: Thanks from the Course Team
Lesson 3: [Honors] Final Project
  • Reading: About this optional final project
  • Final Project: Cybersecurity Career Research

Instructors

Rav Ahuja

Global Program Director, IBM Skills Network

Rav Ahuja is a Global Program Director at IBM. He leads growth strategy, curriculum creation, and partner programs for the IBM Skills Network. Rav co-founded Cognitive Class, an IBM led initiative to democratize skills for in demand technologies. He is based out of the IBM Canada Lab in Toronto and specializes in instructional solutions for AI, Data, Software Engineering and Cloud. Rav presents at events worldwide and has authored numerous papers, articles, books and courses on subjects in managing and analyzing data. Rav holds B. Eng. from McGill University and MBA from University of Western Ontario.

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