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Foundations of Cybersecurity

The on-ramp to 3.5 million unfilled jobs – learn security essentials from industry experts.

access

Lifetime

level

Beginner

certificate

Certificate of completion

language

English

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What you will learn

  • Core security concepts (CIA triad, authentication, encryption)
  • Common threats (malware, phishing, DDoS) and attack vectors
  • Network security basics (firewalls, VPNs, zero trust)

  • Security policies and compliance standards (GDPR, HIPAA)
  • Career pathways in cybersecurity

Program Overview

Cybersecurity Basics

⏱️1-2 weeks

  • CIA triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability)
  • Security vs. convenience tradeoffs
  • Threat actors and motivations

Technical Foundations

⏱️3-4 weeks

  • Encryption and hashing
  • Network security protocols
  • Endpoint protection
  • Cloud security considerations

Operational Security

⏱️5-6 weeks

  • Security policies and procedures
  • Incident response lifecycle
  • Compliance frameworks
  • Risk management basics​

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Job Outlook

 

  • Industry Demand:
  • 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs globally (ISC² 2023)
  • 35% year-over-year growth in entry-level positions
  • 70K−90K starting salaries for SOC Analysts
  • Career Pathways:
Entry-Level RoleAvg SalaryNext Steps
Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst$72KThreat Intelligence Specialist
IT Support Specialist (Security Focus)$65KSecurity Administrator
Compliance Assistant$68KGRC Analyst
  • Certification Value:
  • Qualifies for 78% of Level 1 cybersecurity job requirements
  • Counts toward Google Cybersecurity Certificate
  • Prepares for CompTIA Security+ (70% overlap)
10Expert Score
Highly Recommended
Google's beginner cybersecurity course – master fundamentals and launch your security career in under 2 months. Explore this Course !
Value
9.5
Price
9.8
Skills
10
Information
9.8
PROS
  • Excellent balance of technical and non-technical content
  • Google's hands-on labs provide real-world context
  • Clear explanations of complex concepts
  • Strong foundation for multiple cert pathways
CONS
  • Limited depth on specific tools (Wireshark, SIEMs)
  • Doesn't cover programming/scripting basics
  • Fewer networking opportunities than university courses

Specification: Foundations of Cybersecurity

access

Lifetime

level

Beginner

certificate

Certificate of completion

language

English

Course | Career Focused Learning Platform
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