Cybersecurity Certificate
Prepare for a career as a cybersecurity analyst with a professional certificate from Google. Learn job-ready skills that are in-demand, like how to identify common risks, threats, and vulnerabilities, as well as the techniques to mitigate them.
- No relevant experience necessary
- Built by Google cybersecurity experts
- Under 10 hours of study a week*
Learn the foundations of cybersecurity and get the job-ready skills you need to kick-start your career in a fast-growing field.
$80,000+
average entry-level salary in cybersecurity
25,000
open jobs in cybersecurity
Qualify for in-demand jobs in cybersecurity
Cybersecurity analysts are responsible for monitoring and protecting networks, devices, people, and data. They use a collection of methods and technologies to safeguard against outside threats and unauthorized access — and to create and implement solutions should a threat get through.
- Cybersecurity analyst
- Security analyst
- SOC analyst
- Information security analyst
- IT security analyst
- Cyber defense analyst
Certificate Testimonials
“The certificate has a variety of content to help you think like a cybersecurity analyst. From the course videos and reading material, to the hands- on labs to practice your skills, to the activities with example use cases, you feel prepared to start a career in this field.”
Leslie, Google Cybersecurity Certificate graduate
Certificate Testimonials
“I was always scared of learning SQL, but after this course, I’m in love with SQL. I appreciate the way the content was presented and organized, making it easy to follow – especially for someone with no experience.”
Chizitere, Google Cybersecurity Certificate graduate
Certificate Testimonials
“Coming into this not knowing anything about cybersecurity, I think it was a great introduction to the field. The order of the lessons, the variety of content, and the pacing kept me engaged and motivated to learn.”
Jared, Google Cybersecurity Certificate graduate
Learn more about the certificate
FOUNDATIONAL
Cybersecurity Certificate
This fully online program provides the skills you need for an entry-level job in cybersecurity, even if you don’t have prior experience. You’ll use industry standard tools like Python, Linux, SQL, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools, and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS).
You’ll learn about:
- Programming for cybersecurity tasks
- Frameworks and controls that inform security operations
- Using security information and event management (SIEM) tools for cybersecurity
- Detecting and responding to incidents using an intrusion detection system
- Performing packet capture and analysis
3-6
Months completion time
100%
Remote, online learning
Certificate curriculum:
- Foundations of Cybersecurity
- Play It Safe: Manage Security Risks
- Connect and Protect: Networks and Network Security
- Tools of the Trade: Linux and SQL
- Assets, Threats, and Vulnerabilities
- Sound the Alarm: Detection and Response
- Automate Cybersecurity Tasks with Python
- Put It to Work: Prepare for Cybersecurity Jobs
Preview the certificate material
Cybersecurity Certificate
An introduction to cybersecurity
Discover what it takes to build a successful career in cybersecurity, gain an understanding of what it’s like to be a security analyst, and learn how to protect information and systems from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
The full certificate program includes:
- Hands-on activities
- Quizzes and assignments
- Regular assessments
Get on the fast track to in-demand jobs with top employers
Complete a Google Career Certificate to get exclusive access to Talent Match, which offers free 1-on-1 coaching, interview and career support, and a job board to connect directly with employers, including over 20 companies in Google Career Certifcates Employer Consortium.
Here’s how
Complete online certificate courses, at your own pace and time.
Access career resources like coaching sessions, mock interviews, and a resume builder tool.
Share your resume and get connected with national and local employers.
CONNECT WITH TOP EMPLOYERS, INCLUDING THESE:
Become a participating employer to connect with skilled candidates and grow your talent pipeline by completing the interest form. It is easy and free.
Prepare for the CompTIA Security+ exam
The Google Cybersecurity Certificate helps prepare you for the CompTIA Security+ exam, the industry leading certification for cybersecurity roles. You’ll earn a dual credential when you complete both.
MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYONE
Education and technology are keys to opportunity, but so are equity and access.
To help bridge the opportunity gap and bring more diverse talent to cybersecurity, we will be working with Canada Learning Code and ComIT to offer scholarships to their network. They’ll also provide learners with support such as facilitated workshops, course guidance, and professional coaching, ensuring that those who come to them with an interest in cybersecurity leave with the ability to put it into action.
Frequently asked questions
Organizations must continuously protect themselves and the people they serve from cyber-related threats, like fraud and phishing. They rely on cybersecurity to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their internal systems and information.
Cybersecurity analysts use a collection of methods and technologies to safeguard against threats and unauthorized access — and to create and implement solutions should a threat get through.
Cybersecurity analysts work to protect organizations and people from harm. Just as you’d need the right methods to secure your house from a storm, cybersecurity analysts rely on a variety of tools to quickly respond to threats and minimize risk or damage.
While cybersecurity analysts can react quickly to immediate disruptions and threats, they also take a proactive role in safeguarding their organizations. They continuously monitor systems and networks, and always ask questions and seek out solutions. If they discover a breach has occurred, cybersecurity analysts will launch an investigation and report on their findings.
As cyber-related threats continue to rapidly grow and evolve, cybersecurity is a must-have for many organizations. Cybersecurity analysts are essentially digital detectives. They investigate potential and ongoing threats, assess the situation to find the best solution, and protect networks, devices, people, and data. Cybersecurity analysts use analytical and technical skills to crack cybersecurity puzzles, but also rely on creative thinking to address new threats in unique ways. With so much riding on the safety of organizations’ data, cybersecurity analysts play a critical role and are in high demand.
You! No prior cybersecurity experience or specific knowledge is required. All you need is an interest in solving puzzles, investigating, and helping others.
The Google Cybersecurity Certificate not only focuses on the skills you need to be a cybersecurity analyst, but essential business acumen skills like communication, critical thinking, collaboration and teamwork, prioritization, and escalation.
You’ll learn these job-ready skills in our certificate program through interactive content (hands-on activities, discussion prompts, and quizzes) in under six months, with 5-10 hours of study a week. Along the way, you’ll work through a curriculum taught by experts at Google with decades of experience.
After you’ve graduated from the program, you’ll have access to career resources and be connected directly with over 20 employers who are committed to considering Google Career Certificate graduates for open entry-level jobs.
You’ll learn to use programming for security tasks (e.g. SQL, Linux, Python) and security information and event management tools (e.g. Chronicle and Splunk). You’ll also use an intrusion detection system (e.g. Suricata), apply frameworks and controls to inform security operations (e.g. NIST CSF, NIST RMF, CIA Triad) and perform packet capture and analysis (e.g. tcpdump, Wireshark).
The Google Cybersecurity Certificate helps prepare graduates for the CompTIA Security+ exam. Graduates of the Google Cybersecurity Certificate can access the CompTIA Security+ exam and additional training at a discounted price. You’ll earn a special dual credential when you complete both the Google Cybersecurity Certificate and the CompTIA Security+ exam, which can be shared with potential employers.
The Google Cybersecurity Certificate can qualify you for in-demand cybersecurity jobs such as: cybersecurity analysts, security analysts, SOC analysts, information security analysts, IT security analysts, and cyber defense analysts.
The Google Career Certificates Employer Consortium consists of over 20 companies like Unilever, MNP, DataFinery, Helcim and Mosaic. These companies span multiple sectors and are committed to considering Google Career Certificate graduates for entry-level jobs. Upon completion of the Google Cybersecurity Certificate, you will gain access to an exclusive job platform where you can easily apply to opportunities from employers with open jobs.
Google Career Certificates cost US$49 per month on Coursera after an initial 7-day free trial period. All Google Career Certificates are completely self-paced. At about 10 hours of study per week, many learners complete a Google Career Certificate in three to six months.
The Google Cybersecurity Certificate is currently available in English, French, and Spanish. We are working to offer this certificate in additional languages. Please check back here for updates.
*Complete in 6 months, under 10 hours per week.
1ICTC (Information and Communications Technology Council). Cybersecurity Talent Development: Protecting Canada’s Digital Economy (2022).