IBM
ISC2
IBM and ISC2 Cybersecurity Specialist Professional Certificate

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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

Earn a career credential that demonstrates your expertise

(705 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
3 months at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers
Earn a career credential that demonstrates your expertise

(705 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
3 months at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers

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.

Overview

What’s included

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English
102 practice exercises

Professional Certificate - 12 course series

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

Data Security, Information Assurance, Cybersecurity, Network Security, Computer Security Awareness Training, Cyber Security Assessment, Cyber Security Policies, Cyber Security Strategy, General Networking, Security Awareness, Information Systems Security Assessment Framework (ISSAF), Technical Support and Services, Cyber Risk, and Information Technology

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

Computer Hardware, Operating Systems, Peripheral Devices, User Accounts, Hardware Troubleshooting, Virtual Machines, Data Storage, Software Installation, USB, Mac OS, File Systems, Computer Architecture, Network Infrastructure, Computing Platforms, Linux, Disaster Recovery, System Configuration, Virtualization and Virtual Machines, Computer Systems, and Technical Support

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

Computer Programming, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Cloud Computing Architecture, and Data Strategy

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

Wireless Networks, General Networking, Network Protocols, Local Area Networks, Network Security, Network Troubleshooting, TCP/IP, Networking Hardware, Data Storage Technologies, Wide Area Networks, OSI Models, Computer Networking, Network Infrastructure, Command-Line Interface, Data Storage, Microsoft Windows, Performance Tuning, and Network Architecture

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

Cloud Computing, Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Services, Serverless Computing, Cloud-Native Computing, Cloud Security, Cloud Storage, Emerging Technologies, Hybrid Cloud Computing, DevOps, Cloud Computing Architecture, Cloud Development, IBM Cloud, Cloud Hosting, Virtual Machines, Cloud Engineering, Cloud Solutions, Cloud Management, Cloud Platforms, and Technical Services

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

Encryption, Cybersecurity, Malware Protection, Multi-Factor Authentication, Cyber Attacks, Data Security, Identity and Access Management, Vulnerability Assessments, Hardening, Data Integrity, Computer Security Awareness Training, Security Controls, Application Security, Authorization (Computing), Cryptography, Personally Identifiable Information, Security Awareness, Information Privacy, and Authentications

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Cyber Governance, Cyber Security Policies, Cyber Risk, Security Controls, Data Integrity, Information Assurance, Data Ethics, Governance, Cybersecurity, Security Awareness, and Risk Management Framework

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Disaster Recovery, Incident Response, Business Continuity, Security Management, Crisis Management, Cybersecurity, Information Assurance, and Computer Security Incident Management

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Security Controls, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), Authorization (Computing), Security Awareness, Data Access, Cyber Security Policies, Authentications, and Identity and Access Management

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Firewall, Network Security, TCP/IP, Threat Detection, Cybersecurity, Computer Networking, Network Planning And Design, Cyber Attacks, General Networking, Threat Management, Cloud Computing, Network Protocols, Encryption, Infrastructure Security, and Data Centers

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Encryption, Security Controls, Network Security, Computer Security Awareness Training, Event Monitoring, Data Security, Cybersecurity, General Networking, System Monitoring, Security Strategy, Configuration Management, Continuous Monitoring, Security Management, Data Management, Cryptography, and Cyber Security Policies

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

Incident Response, Cybersecurity, Penetration Testing, Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) Attacks, Email Security, Threat Modeling, Security Awareness, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Threat Detection, Vulnerability Assessments, Data Security, Network Security, Exploitation techniques, Fraud detection, Artificial Intelligence, Malware Protection, and Computer Security Incident Management

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
84 Courses1,583,513 learners
Dee Dee Collette
IBM
11 Courses644,175 learners
Rav Ahuja
IBM
56 Courses4,403,562 learners
ISC2 Education & Training
ISC2
34 Courses114,286 learners

Offered by

IBM
ISC2

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¹ Median salary and job opening data are sourced from Lightcast™ Job Postings Report. Content Creator, Machine Learning Engineer and Salesforce Development Representative (1/1/2024 - 12/31/2024) All other job roles (11/1/2024 - 11/1/2025)