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Foundations of Cybersecurity Course

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

What you will learn in Foundations of Cybersecurity Course

  • 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)

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  • What Is Data Management? – Discover how proper data handling, storage, and protection support strong cybersecurity practices and organizational security frameworks.
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 Course

access

Lifetime

level

Beginner

certificate

Certificate of completion

language

English

FAQs

  • Estimated completion time: ~14 hours according to official listing.
  • Some sources round it to 9–13 hours, depending on pace.
  • It’s a beginner-level course, requiring no prior experience.
  • Fully self-paced — you learn on your own schedule.
  • No prior cybersecurity or technical background is needed.
  • Ideal for anyone starting in cybersecurity—students, career changers, or curious learners.
  • Recognized with a high satisfaction rating (4.8–4.9/5 across thousands of learners).
  • Understand core roles and skills of cybersecurity analysts.
  • Learn how security threats impact business operations.
  • Study security ethics and important industry frameworks.
  • Gain familiarity with analyst tools and key concepts like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and the CIA triad.
  • Sharpen competencies in cybersecurity, infoSec, ethics, threat detection, and security controls. Understand core roles and skills of cybersecurity analysts.
  • Learn how security threats impact business operations.
  • Study security ethics and important industry frameworks.
  • Gain familiarity with analyst tools and key concepts like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and the CIA triad.
  • Sharpen competencies in cybersecurity, infoSec, ethics, threat detection, and security controls.

Strengths:

  • Clear, well-structured curriculum for beginners.
  • High student satisfaction and strong endorsement from Google Career Certificates.
  • Provides a shareable certificate, useful for resumes or LinkedIn.

Limitations:

  • Limited in-depth content; serves as an introductory or awareness course, not a comprehensive training.
  • Not heavily hands-on; lacks extensive technical practice.
  • Some learners note occasional frictions accessing labs (e.g., platform compatibility issues).
  • Perfect for individuals exploring cybersecurity—students, admins, or tech newcomers.
  • Provides insight into analyst roles, aiding future decisions on pathways like cyber defense or ethical hacking.
  • Certificate supports resumes and professional profiles—but real-world projects and advanced credentials are essential for career progress.
Foundations of Cybersecurity Course
Foundations of Cybersecurity Course
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