Google Cybersecurity Certificate

Frequently asked questions

• What is cybersecurity?

  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.

• What does a cybersecurity analyst do?

  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.

• Why start a career in cybersecurity?

  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.

• Who is the Cybersecurity Certificate for?

  You! No prior cybersecurity experience or specific knowledge is required. All you need is an interest in solving puzzles, investigating, and helping others.

• Why enroll in the Google Cybersecurity Certificate?

  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.

• Which cybersecurity tools and platforms are taught in the Google Cybersecurity Certificate?

  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).

• What cybersecurity courses are included in the curriculum?

  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

• Will completing this certificate help me prepare for the CompTIA Security+ exam?

  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.

• What kind of cybersecurity jobs can I get with the Google Cybersecurity Certificate?

  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.

• What is the Google Career Certificates Employer Consortium? Can it help me find cybersecurity jobs?

  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.

• How much is the Cybersecurity Certificate?

  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.

• What languages is the Google Cybersecurity Certificate available in?

  The Google Cybersecurity Certificate is currently available in English and we are working to offer this certificate in additional languages. Please check back here for updates.