IBM
ISC2
IBM and ISC2 Cybersecurity Specialist Professional Certificate
17,179 enrolled
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.

Earn a career credential that demonstrates your expertise

(645 reviews)

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

(645 reviews)

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

Overview

  • 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.

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

Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Information Technology
Category: Cyber Security Strategy
Category: Cyber Security Policies
Category: Operating Systems
Category: Technical Support
Category: Network Security
Category: General Networking
Category: Cyber Security Assessment
Category: Computer Hardware
Category: Vulnerability Assessments

What you'll learn

  • Demonstrate an understanding of operating system fundamentals.

  • Recognize desktop and laptop hardware components and devices.

  • Identify and describe internal desktop and laptop computer components, interfaces, and peripherals.

  • Explain basic workstation setup, locate operating system settings, and identify good troubleshooting practices.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Computer Hardware
Category: Operating Systems
Category: Microsoft Windows
Category: Peripheral Devices
Category: USB
Category: System Configuration
Category: Data Storage
Category: Hardware Troubleshooting
Category: Technical Support
Category: Mac OS
Category: Desktop Support
Category: File Systems
Category: Networking Hardware
Category: Linux
Category: Software Installation
Category: Computer Displays
Category: Disaster Recovery
Category: System Support

What you'll learn

  • Classify, install, configure, and manage software including mobile platforms.

  • Discuss cloud computing and web browser concepts.

  • Explain software development models, techniques, and concepts.

  • Describe fundamental database management concepts.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Computer Programming
Category: Software Development Life Cycle
Category: Computing Platforms
Category: Database Management
Category: Software Versioning
Category: Cloud Computing
Category: Databases
Category: Browser Compatibility
Category: Software Development
Category: Data Structures
Category: Information Technology
Category: Software Installation
Category: Application Development

What you'll learn

  • Identify wired and wireless network types, explain physical and logical topology, differentiate network cable types and what each is used for.

  • List common network devices. Discover what packets are and how IP addresses work, and explain what protocols are and why models are necessary.

  • Determine how to set up and encrypt networks and mobile devices. Diagnose connectivity issues and utilize the command prompt and Windows Settings.

  • List network drive types, explain RAM, ROM, and RAID, and troubleshoot storage issues. Explain STaaS, and define file, block, and object storage.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Wireless Networks
Category: General Networking
Category: Network Protocols
Category: Network Security
Category: Network Troubleshooting
Category: Local Area Networks
Category: Data Storage
Category: Data Storage Technologies
Category: Data Store
Category: Network Administration
Category: Computer Networking
Category: Information Technology
Category: System Configuration
Category: Servers
Category: Hardware Troubleshooting
Category: Command-Line Interface
Category: Network Architecture
Category: System Support
Category: Cloud Storage
Category: Networking Hardware

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

Category: Cloud Computing
Category: Virtualization
Category: Microservices
Category: DevOps
Category: Cloud Computing Architecture
Category: Cloud Security
Category: Cloud Services
Category: Serverless Computing
Category: Cloud Storage
Category: Cloud Infrastructure
Category: Hybrid Cloud Computing
Category: Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS)
Category: Public Cloud
Category: Cloud Solutions
Category: Virtual Machines
Category: Cloud Platforms
Category: Application Deployment

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

Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Malware Protection
Category: Multi-Factor Authentication
Category: Data Security
Category: Encryption
Category: Cyber Attacks
Category: Windows Servers
Category: Network Security
Category: Hardening
Category: Cryptography
Category: Security Controls
Category: Computer Security Awareness Training
Category: Authentications
Category: Data Integrity
Category: Authorization (Computing)
Category: Vulnerability Assessments
Category: Application Security
Category: Threat Detection
Category: Technical Support

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Category: Cyber Governance
Category: Risk Management Framework
Category: Governance
Category: Security Awareness
Category: Data Ethics
Category: Information Assurance
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Security Controls
Category: Data Integrity
Category: Threat Management
Category: Vulnerability Assessments

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Category: Disaster Recovery
Category: Incident Response
Category: Operational Risk
Category: Data Security
Category: Information Assurance
Category: Computer Security Incident Management
Category: Threat Detection
Category: Business Continuity
Category: Data Integrity
Category: System Monitoring
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Information Privacy
Category: Crisis Management
Category: Personally Identifiable Information

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Category: Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Category: User Provisioning
Category: Scenario Testing
Category: Authentications
Category: Security Controls
Category: Data Access
Category: Cyber Security Policies
Category: Identity and Access Management
Category: Security Management
Category: Authorization (Computing)

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Category: Network Security
Category: Virtual Private Networks (VPN)
Category: Cloud Services
Category: Network Protocols
Category: Threat Detection
Category: Cyber Attacks
Category: Infrastructure Security
Category: Computer Networking
Category: OSI Models
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Threat Management
Category: General Networking
Category: Data Centers
Category: TCP/IP

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Category: Encryption
Category: Security Controls
Category: Network Security
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Cryptography
Category: Continuous Monitoring
Category: General Networking
Category: Configuration Management
Category: Cyber Security Policies
Category: Security Management
Category: Computer Security Awareness Training
Category: Data Security
Category: Information Systems Security

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

Category: Incident Response
Category: Penetration Testing
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Cyber Risk
Category: Artificial Intelligence
Category: Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standards
Category: Threat Detection
Category: Vulnerability Assessments
Category: Network Security
Category: Computer Security Incident Management
Category: Cyber Threat Intelligence
Category: Personally Identifiable Information
Category: Security Awareness
Category: 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
IBM
82 Courses1,418,000 learners
Dee Dee Collette
IBM
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Rav Ahuja
IBM
56 Courses4,041,843 learners
ISC2 Education & Training
ISC2
34 Courses110,107 learners
Heather Vaughan
IBM
2 Courses30,905 learners

Offered by

IBM
ISC2

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Frequently asked questions

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 (8/1/2024 - 8/1/2025)