
Google Cybersecurity Certificate
Prepare for a career as a cybersecurity analyst with a professional cybersecurity certificate from Google. Learn job-ready skills that are in-demand, like how to identify and mitigate common risks, threats, and vulnerabilities — and discover how to effectively utilize AI in cybersecurity.
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Get a cybersecurity job, with help from Google experts
Learn the foundations of cybersecurity and get the job-ready skills you need to launch a career in this high-paying field.
Qualify for high-paying jobs in cybersecurity
Cybersecurity analysts are tasked with monitoring and safeguarding networks, devices, individuals, and data. They utilize a range of methods and technologies to protect against external threats and unauthorized access, and they develop and implement solutions to mitigate the impact of successful breaches.
Cybersecurity analyst
Security analyst
SOC analyst
Information security analyst
IT security analyst
Cyber defense analyst
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).
Get started on CourseraYou’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
CYBERSECURITY CERTIFICATE
Preview the certificate material
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, learn how to protect information and systems from unauthorized access and cyber threats, and find out how to use AI for cybersecurity to help boost productivity.
The full certificate program includes:

Hands-on activities

Quizzes and assignments

Regular assessments
Get on the fast track to high paying jobs with top employers
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Flexible learning
Prepare for a new career in 3-6 months. No relevant experience or degrees required.
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Free career support
Certificate graduates in the US will gain access to CareerCircle, which offers personalized coaching, mock interviews, and resume-building tools.
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Connect with top employers
Use CareerCircle’s exclusive job board to connect directly with employers looking to hire Google Career Certificate graduates.
Certificate Testimonial
“Without the foundations of the Google Certificate, I wouldn't have been able to move forward as quickly as I did. It was a starting piece that got my foot in the door for larger opportunities.”
CARTER
Google Cybersecurity Certificate graduate
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 technical 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 the opportunity to connect directly with over 150 employers who are committed to considering Google Career Certificate graduates for open entry-level jobs in cybersecurity.
You’ll learn to use programming for security tasks (e.g. Python, Linux, SQL) 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 cybersecurity courses included in the curriculum are…
- 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
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 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 high-paying cybersecurity jobs such as: cybersecurity analyst, security analyst, security operations center (SOC) analyst, information security analyst, IT security analyst, and cyber defense analyst.
The Google Career Certificates Employer Consortium consists of over 150 U.S. companies like American Express, Colgate-Palmolive, Mandiant (now part of Google Cloud), T-Mobile, Walmart, and of course, Google. 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.
1Lightcast™ US Job Postings (2024: Last 12 Months: Jan. 1, 2024 - Dec. 31, 2024).