IBM
Cybersecurity Fundamentals Specialization

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IBM

Cybersecurity Fundamentals Specialization

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

IBM Skills Network Team
Dee Dee Collette
Jeff Crume

Instructors: IBM Skills Network Team +4 more

4,342 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
4.8

(153 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

3 months to complete
at 2 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
4.8

(153 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

3 months to complete
at 2 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

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

Skills you'll gain

  • Category: Endpoint Security
  • Category: Data Security
  • Category: Cyber Attacks
  • Category: Public Key Infrastructure
  • Category: Identity and Access Management
  • Category: Threat Detection
  • Category: Email Security
  • Category: Cybersecurity
  • Category: Information Technology
  • Category: Cryptographic Protocols
  • Category: Data Encryption Standard
  • Category: Security Awareness

Details to know

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Taught in English
Recently updated!

June 2025

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

What you'll learn

  • Recognize the importance of data security, maintaining data integrity, and confidentiality

  • Demonstrate the installation of software updates and patches

  • Identify preferred practices for authentication, encryption, and device security

  • Discuss types of security threats, breaches, malware, social engineering, and other attack vectors

Skills you'll gain

Category: Data Security
Category: Encryption
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Malware Protection
Category: Multi-Factor Authentication
Category: Cyber Attacks
Category: Authentications
Category: Security Controls
Category: Network Security
Category: Information Privacy
Category: Identity and Access Management
Category: System Configuration
Category: Computer Security Awareness Training
Category: Authorization (Computing)
Category: Hardening
Category: Email Security
Category: Security Awareness
Cybersecurity Architecture

Cybersecurity Architecture

Course 212 hours

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

Category: Application Security
Category: Firewall
Category: Secure Coding
Category: Data Security
Category: Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
Category: Network Security
Category: Identity and Access Management
Category: Virtual Private Networks (VPN)
Category: Endpoint Security
Category: Cyber Security Strategy
Category: Authorization (Computing)
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Infrastructure Security
Category: Threat Detection
Category: Authentications
Category: Cyber Attacks
Category: Security Controls
Category: Security Testing
Category: Data Governance

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

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

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: Data Security
Category: Information Technology
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Technical Support and Services
Category: Cyber Security Policies
Category: Network Security
Category: Cyber Security Strategy
Category: Computer Security Awareness Training

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Instructors

IBM Skills Network Team
IBM Skills Network Team
IBM
84 Courses1,339,831 learners

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IBM

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