IBM
ISC2
IBM and ISC2 Cybersecurity Specialist Professional Certificate
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

(700 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

(700 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

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

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

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 Strategy, Cloud Computing Architecture, and Data-Driven Decision-Making

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

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

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

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

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

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

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

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

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

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

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

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

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

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

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

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 Courses1,570,126 learners
Dee Dee Collette
IBM
11 Courses641,926 learners
Rav Ahuja
IBM
56 Courses4,372,168 learners
ISC2 Education & Training
ISC2
34 Courses113,948 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 (10/1/2024 - 10/1/2025)