IBM
ISC2
IBM and ISC2 Cybersecurity Specialist Professional Certificate
17,195 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: Network Security
Category: Vulnerability Assessments
Category: Cyber Security Strategy
Category: Technical Support
Category: Computer Hardware
Category: General Networking
Category: Cyber Security Assessment
Category: Cyber Security Policies
Category: Operating Systems

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: Hardware Troubleshooting
Category: Internet Of Things
Category: System Configuration
Category: Linux
Category: Computer Systems
Category: Emerging Technologies
Category: Virtualization
Category: Virtual Machines
Category: Mac OS
Category: Technical Support
Category: Networking Hardware

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: Databases
Category: Database Management
Category: Software Versioning
Category: Cloud Computing
Category: Software Development
Category: Software Installation
Category: Application Development
Category: Browser Compatibility
Category: Data Structures
Category: Information Technology

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: Network Protocols
Category: General Networking
Category: Wide Area Networks
Category: Data Storage
Category: Firewall
Category: Network Troubleshooting
Category: Local Area Networks
Category: Network Security
Category: Data Storage Technologies
Category: Computer Networking
Category: Network Architecture
Category: Network Administration
Category: Information Technology
Category: Command-Line Interface
Category: TCP/IP
Category: Cloud Storage
Category: Networking Hardware
Category: System Configuration

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: Virtualization
Category: Cloud Computing
Category: Cloud Infrastructure
Category: Cloud Storage
Category: Hybrid Cloud Computing
Category: Cloud Security
Category: Identity and Access Management
Category: Cloud Computing Architecture
Category: DevOps
Category: Cloud-Native Computing
Category: Microservices
Category: Serverless Computing
Category: Cloud Services
Category: Application Deployment
Category: Public Cloud
Category: Virtual Machines

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: Cyber Attacks
Category: Encryption
Category: Firewall
Category: Data Security
Category: Authentications
Category: Computer Security Awareness Training
Category: Hardening
Category: Security Awareness
Category: Windows Servers
Category: Cryptography
Category: Authorization (Computing)
Category: Threat Management
Category: Technical Support and Services
Category: Network Security
Category: Email Security
Category: Application Security
Category: Identity and Access Management

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

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

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

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

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

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

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

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

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Category: Encryption
Category: Security Controls
Category: Network Security
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Information Systems Security
Category: Security Management
Category: Cyber Security Policies
Category: General Networking
Category: Continuous Monitoring
Category: Configuration Management
Category: Computer Security Awareness Training
Category: Cryptography
Category: Data 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: Cybersecurity
Category: Penetration Testing
Category: Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standards
Category: Personally Identifiable Information
Category: Computer Security Incident Management
Category: Security Awareness
Category: Malware Protection
Category: Threat Detection
Category: Vulnerability Assessments
Category: Cyber Threat Intelligence
Category: Network Security
Category: Cyber Risk
Category: Artificial Intelligence

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 Courses1,419,126 learners
Dee Dee Collette
IBM
10 Courses617,810 learners
Rav Ahuja
IBM
56 Courses4,044,616 learners
ISC2 Education & Training
ISC2
34 Courses110,134 learners
Heather Vaughan
IBM
2 Courses30,922 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)