9 Best Cybersecurity Courses on Coursera

Start your cybersecurity learning journey by enrolling in these best cybersecurity courses and specializations offered by top companies and universities on Coursera!

Cybersecurity is one of the most in-demand career fields. On average, cybersecurity roles take 21% longer to fill than other IT jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 31% hiring growth for Cybersecurity Analysts between 2019 and 2029, growing much faster than average in other careers. That is why learning cybersecurity can play a vital role in your career life.

Below, you can find a list of the best cybersecurity courses on Coursera with which you can start your learning journey. And you can access some of these cybersecurity courses for absolutely free!!

Best Cybersecurity Courses on Coursera in 2024

1. IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate

This 8-course Professional Certificate series by IBM will give you the technical skills to become job-ready for a Cybersecurity Analyst role.

It walks you through tools used by cybersecurity analysts, data protection, SIEM, network fundamentals, and other things. You will also learn about the importance of the current day scenario of the cybersecurity landscape.

You will put to use what you have learned by using virtual labs and sites that will test you.

At the end of the course, you will be looking at a hypothetical real-world case study of a security breach. In this project, you will be required to identify vulnerabilities and recommend ways to prevent them from happening again.

This is suitable for beginners. No prior knowledge and experience are assumed. You must feel comfortable exploring technical skills, indulging in collaborative problem solving, and communicating solutions.

Instructional content and labs will introduce you to concepts including network security, endpoint protection, incident response, threat intelligence, penetration testing, and vulnerability assessment.

2. Introduction to Cyber Security Specialization

Introduction to Cyber Security Specialization was designed to help learners develop a deeper understanding of modern information and system protection technology and methods.

This course is offered by NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering.

It will introduce you to cybersecurity including identification and authentication in cyber security. You will touch upon INFOSEC, DOS, Public-key cryptography, and risk assessment.

At the end of the course, you will have quizzes and projects that will enable you to develop a strong foundational understanding of the topics. This is a beginner’s course but having some knowledge of IT concepts will help you.

3. Cybersecurity for Everyone

This cybersecurity online course is offered by the University of Maryland.

In this course, you can learn the fundamentals of cybersecurity from Dr. Charles Harry, a seasoned expert with experience at the NSA.

It covers topics like the foundations of cybersecurity, the evolution of the internet, threat actors and a lot more.

It is designed for both beginners with no prior experience and professionals with some background in cybersecurity.

4. Cybersecurity for Business Specialization

This specialization is designed by the University of Colorado in a unique methodology that’ll introduce you to practical computer security.

Here, you will be learning how to use security for your organization. You will also learn how to protect yourself from cyber threats and attacks.

It is a beginner’s course so no prior experience is assumed.

This course material will also be useful to prepare for exams like Security+ and CISSP.

Take this course if you want to understand:

• how to defend computer systems and assets from attackers and other threats.
• how threats and attacks are carried out to help better defend their systems.

5. Cybersecurity: Developing a Program for Your Business Specialization

This beginner level cybersecurity course is offered by the University System of Georgia.

It will walk you through the various processes of safeguarding your organization from cyber attacks like policy, training, upgrading technologies, etc.

You will also learn about IoT, management practices, and governance of cybersecurity.

6. Introduction to Cybersecurity & Risk Management Specialization

This course is offered by the UCI Division of Continuing Education.

In this course, you will be taught about Cybersecurity and Risk Management, how to align security strategies with the organization’s goals.

You will learn about cybersecurity through the lens of security governance. It also covers the implementation of a good awareness program and cybersecurity training.

At the end of the course, you will be given several case studies using the concepts and tools you learn in each module.

7. IT Fundamentals for Cybersecurity Specialization

This course is offered through Coursera by IBM.

You will start with the history and evolution of security, know the kinds of malicious software that is present out there and identify cybersecurity tools.

This course will teach you about OSS, basics of Networking, INFOSEC, Malware, SQL injection, and many other things. The course also touches upon Cryptography and digital forensics.

At the end of the course, you will also have to finish a project using the knowledge gained through this course. This course is perfect for beginners, no prior knowledge and experience is assumed.

8. Managing Cybersecurity Specialization

This course is offered through Coursera by the University System of Georgia.

You will be introduced to Cybersecurity from a managerial perspective. It explains the integration of cybersecurity in all operations of a business. This is a beginners course and does not expect you to have any technical knowledge but you should know how a computer works and have a general understanding of IT in your organization.

This course is perfectly keeping in mind college students who have an interest in an IT career. Other professionals and technicians can also take up the course. At the end of the course, you will be using the knowledge and applying it to a project.

9. Palo Alto Networks Cybersecurity Professional Certificate

This course is offered through Coursera by Palo Alto Networks Cybersecurity Academy.

In this course, you will be examining the cybersecurity landscape, vulnerabilities, threats, and risks. You will also learn how to deploy VPNs and SSL/SSH encryption. You will be tested through assessments.

It is a beginner’s course so no prior experience or knowledge is required. However, you have to have basic computer and internet skills.

How to Enroll in Coursera Cybersecurity Courses?

With Coursera Plus, you can get access to all the above mentioned coursera cybersecurity courses. You don’t have to buy courses individually.

Best part is you’ll also get access to more than 7,000 Coursera courses with the Coursera Plus subscription. You can also get unlimited certificates.

If you just want to try one cybersecurity course on coursera, then you can simply purchase that single course. You’ll get complete access to the course you buy.

But I would recommend you Coursera Plus instead of taking this option. And that is for a simple reason, Value for money. If you compare the cost of one course to Coursera Plus, you’ll definitely see the difference.

If you don’t want the certificates but if you just want to learn, you can choose the audit option. With this option, you can enroll in a course for free and get access to most of the course content like videos, articles, etc. to learn cybersecurity from it.

You’ll see this audit option only in individual course page. It won’t be available directly in specialisation or professional certificate page.

Please note that for some courses you won’t see an audit option.

Final Words

With these Cybersecurity courses, you can learn how to protect yourself or your organization from information theft or damage.

We have curated this list of best cybersecurity courses on Coursera that we found were perfect to learn from. I hope this helps you in finding the right course Coursera cybersecurity certification course for you.

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