Assets, Threats, and Vulnerabilities from Coursera

This is the fifth course in the Google Cybersecurity Certificate. These courses will equip you with the skills you need to apply for an entry-level cybersecurity job. You’ll build on your understanding of the topics that were introduced in the fourth Google Cybersecurity Certificate course.

In this course, you will explore the concepts of assets, threats, and vulnerabilities. First, you'll build an understanding of how assets are classified. Next, you will become familiar with common threats and vulnerabilities, and the security controls used by organizations to protect valuable information and mitigate risk. You will develop an attacker mindset by practicing the threat modeling process, and you'll learn tactics for staying ahead of security breaches.

Google employees who currently work in cybersecurity will guide you through videos, provide hands-on activities and examples that simulate common cybersecurity tasks, and help you build your skills to prepare for jobs.

Learners who complete this certificate will be equipped to apply for entry-level cybersecurity roles. No previous experience is necessary.

By the end of this course, you will:

- Learn effective data handling processes.

- Discuss the role of encryption and hashing in securing assets.

- Describe how to effectively use authentication and authorization.

- Explain how common vulnerability exposures are identified by MITRE.

- Analyze an attack surface to find risks and vulnerabilities.

- Identify threats, such as social engineering, malware, and web-based exploits.

- Summarize the threat modeling process.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to asset security

You will be introduced to how organizations determine what assets to protect. You'll learn about the connection between managing risk and classifying assets by exploring the unique challenge of securing physical and digital assets. You'll also be introduced to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) framework standards, guidelines and best practices to manage cybersecurity risk.

Protect organizational assets

You will focus on security controls that protect organizational assets. You'll explore how privacy impacts asset security and understand the role that encryption plays in maintaining the privacy of digital assets. You'll also explore how authentication and authorization systems help verify a user’s identity.

Vulnerabilities in systems

You will build an understanding of the vulnerability management process. You'll learn about common vulnerabilities and develop an attacker mindset by examining the ways vulnerabilities can become threats to asset security if they are exploited.

Threats to asset security

You will explore common types of threats to digital asset security. You'll also examine the tools and techniques used by cybercriminals to target assets. In addition, you'll be introduced to the threat modeling process and learn ways security professionals stay ahead of security breaches.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Delivers practical guidance for beginners on the protection of digital assets

Covers crucial concepts like asset classification, threat modeling, and vulnerabilities, which are fundamental to cybersecurity

Offers hands-on activities and examples to reinforce learning and foster practical skill development

Guided by Google employees actively working in cybersecurity, providing industry insights and expertise

Lays the groundwork for entry-level cybersecurity roles, making it suitable for individuals with no prior experience

Aligns with industry standards and best practices, such as those outlined by NIST

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Assets, Threats, and Vulnerabilities with these activities:

Connect with cybersecurity professionals for guidance

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Gain valuable insights and career advice by seeking mentorship from experienced cybersecurity professionals.

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Identify cybersecurity professionals through networking events, online platforms, or industry contacts.
Reach out to potential mentors and request guidance on your cybersecurity journey.
Schedule regular meetings or connect through online platforms to discuss your progress and seek advice.

Develop a blog or vlog on current cybersecurity threats

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Stay updated on emerging cybersecurity threats and share your knowledge with others through a blog or vlog.

Browse courses on Threat Intelligence

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Choose a platform for your blog or vlog.
Research current cybersecurity threats and trends.
Create engaging and informative content that educates your audience.
Promote your blog or vlog through social media and other channels.

Engage in peer discussions on cybersecurity attacks

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Enhance critical thinking and communication skills by engaging in discussions on common cybersecurity threats and attack vectors.

Browse courses on Cybersecurity Threats

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Form study groups with classmates.
Choose a specific cybersecurity attack or threat.
Research the attack, its impact, and potential mitigation strategies.
Present findings to the group and engage in discussions.

Five other activities

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Attend workshops on cybersecurity best practices

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Acquire practical knowledge and industry insights by attending workshops led by experienced cybersecurity professionals.

Browse courses on Security Controls

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Identify industry events and workshops focused on cybersecurity best practices.
Attend the workshops and actively participate in discussions.
Network with cybersecurity experts and learn about emerging trends.

Build a personal cybersecurity lab for hands-on practice

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Enhance your practical cybersecurity skills by setting up a personal lab environment for experimentation and testing.

Browse courses on Security Tools

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Choose a virtualization software and install it on your computer.
Set up virtual machines with different operating systems and security tools.
Practice vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and other cybersecurity tasks.

Follow tutorials to strengthen asset security understanding

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Reinforce concepts of asset security, vulnerability management, and risk mitigation by following online tutorials.

Browse courses on Asset Management

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Identify tutorials that cover asset security principles and best practices.
Follow the tutorials diligently, taking notes and practicing the concepts.
Apply the knowledge gained from the tutorials to real-world cybersecurity scenarios.

Volunteer with organizations focused on cybersecurity initiatives

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Gain hands-on experience in cybersecurity by volunteering with organizations dedicated to promoting awareness and protecting against threats.

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Identify organizations that offer volunteer opportunities in cybersecurity.
Contact the organizations and express interest in volunteering for relevant projects.
Participate in initiatives such as cybersecurity awareness campaigns, vulnerability assessments, or research projects.

Analyze case studies on vulnerability management

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Develop analytical and problem-solving skills by examining real-world case studies on vulnerability management and risk assessment.

Browse courses on Vulnerability Analysis

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Gather case studies on successful and unsuccessful vulnerability management practices.
Analyze the case studies, identifying key vulnerabilities and risk factors.
Develop strategies to mitigate the identified vulnerabilities and improve asset security.

Career center

Learners who complete Assets, Threats, and Vulnerabilities will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Network Administrator

A Network Administrator is responsible for managing and maintaining an organization's computer networks. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it provides an overview of the concepts of assets, threats, and vulnerabilities. The course also covers security controls that organizations use to protect digital assets, which can help network administrators keep their networks secure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst is responsible for planning and carrying out security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it provides an overview of the concepts of assets, threats, and vulnerabilities. The course also covers security controls that organizations use to protect digital assets.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Risk Manager

A Risk Manager is responsible for assessing and mitigating risks to an organization's information assets. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it provides an overview of the concepts of assets, threats, and vulnerabilities. The course also covers the process of risk assessment and mitigation, which can help risk managers make informed decisions about security risks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Security Engineer

A Security Engineer is responsible for designing and implementing security solutions for an organization. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it provides an overview of the concepts of assets, threats, and vulnerabilities. The course also covers security controls that organizations use to protect digital assets, which can help security engineers design and implement effective security solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Compliance Officer

A Compliance Officer is responsible for ensuring that an organization complies with all applicable laws and regulations. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it provides an overview of the concepts of assets, threats, and vulnerabilities. The course also covers the process of compliance management, which can help compliance officers ensure that their organization is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Compliance Officer

Cybersecurity Analyst

A Cybersecurity Analyst is responsible for monitoring and analyzing an organization's computer networks and systems for security breaches. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it provides an overview of the concepts of assets, threats, and vulnerabilities. The course also covers security controls that organizations use to protect digital assets, which can help cybersecurity analysts identify and mitigate security breaches.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst

Security Consultant

A Security Consultant helps organizations identify and mitigate security risks. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it provides an overview of the concepts of assets, threats, and vulnerabilities. The course also covers the threat modeling process, which can help security consultants stay ahead of security breaches.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Consultant

Incident Responder

An Incident Responder is responsible for responding to security breaches and other computer incidents. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it provides an overview of the concepts of assets, threats, and vulnerabilities. The course also covers the process of responding to security breaches and other computer incidents, which can help incident responders mitigate the damage caused by these incidents.

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Penetration Tester

A Penetration Tester is responsible for testing the security of an organization's computer networks and systems. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it provides an overview of the concepts of assets, threats, and vulnerabilities. The course also covers the threat modeling process, which can help penetration testers find and exploit vulnerabilities in systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

Security Architect

A Security Architect is responsible for designing and implementing security solutions for an organization. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it provides an overview of the concepts of assets, threats, and vulnerabilities. The course also covers the threat modeling process, which can help security architects identify and mitigate security risks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Architect

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

A CISO is responsible for overseeing the security of all of an organization's information assets, both physical and digital. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it provides an overview of the concepts of assets, threats, and vulnerabilities. The course also covers the threat modeling process, which can help CISOs identify and mitigate security risks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Privacy Officer

A Privacy Officer is responsible for overseeing the privacy of an organization's data. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it provides an overview of the concepts of assets, threats, and vulnerabilities. The course also covers security controls that organizations use to protect digital assets, which can help privacy officers protect the privacy of their organization's data.

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Forensic Investigator

A Forensic Investigator is responsible for investigating security breaches and other computer crimes. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it provides an overview of the concepts of assets, threats, and vulnerabilities. The course also covers the process of identifying and collecting evidence, which can help forensic investigators investigate security breaches and other computer crimes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Forensic Investigator

Security Manager

A Security Manager is responsible for overseeing the security of an organization's computer networks and systems. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it provides an overview of the concepts of assets, threats, and vulnerabilities. The course also covers security controls that organizations use to protect digital assets, which can help security managers make informed decisions about security risks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Manager

Business Continuity Planner

A Business Continuity Planner is responsible for developing and implementing plans to ensure the continuity of an organization's operations in the event of a disaster or other disruption. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it provides an overview of the concepts of assets, threats, and vulnerabilities. The course also covers the process of developing and implementing business continuity plans, which can help business continuity planners ensure the continuity of their organization's operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Continuity Planner