Launch your Cybersecurity Career from edX

What's inside

Learning objectives

Compare the roles and responsibilities of various careers within the cybersecurity field and how to progress from one level to the next level.
Map it fundamental skills, technical skills, and soft skills to the different job roles at various levels in cybersecurity

Identify the required certifications such as security+, a+, cissp, and ceh for different job roles and the contents of each certification
Give some tips on how to select and prepare for your career path at different levels of cybersecurity career.

Compare the roles and responsibilities of various careers within the cybersecurity field and how to progress from one level to the next level.
Map it fundamental skills, technical skills, and soft skills to the different job roles at various levels in cybersecurity
Identify the required certifications such as security+, a+, cissp, and ceh for different job roles and the contents of each certification
Give some tips on how to select and prepare for your career path at different levels of cybersecurity career.

Syllabus

Module 1: Cybersecurity Careers

Video: Course Introduction

Module Introduction and Learning Objectives

Video: Why Cybersecurity

Reading: A Growing Field

Video: Expert Viewpoints: The Cybersecurity Field

Video: How to get into the cybersecurity field

ideo: Entry Level Careers

Reading: Entry-Level Roles, Responsibilities, and Salaries

Video: Expert Viewpoints: Getting started as a Cybersecurity Professional

Video: Mid-Level Careers

Reading: Mid-Level Roles, Responsibilities, and Salaries

Video: Expert Viewpoints: A Typical Day in the Life of a Cybersecurity Analyst

Video: Advanced-Level Careers

Reading: Advanced-Level Roles, Responsibilities, and Salaries

Hands-On Lab: Cybersecurity Career Paths

Video: Expert Viewpoints: Cybersecurity Career Path

Reading: Module 1 Summary: Cybersecurity Careers

Module 1 Practice Quiz: Cybersecurity Careers

Module 1 Glossary: Cybersecurity Careers

Module 1 Graded Quiz: Cybersecurity Careers

Discussion Prompt: Introduce yourself and why you are interested in Cybersecurity

Module 2: Cybersecurity Skills

Module Introduction

Video: Importance of IT Fundamentals Technical Skills

Reading: IT Fundamentals Technical Skills Facts

Video: Expert Viewpoints: Fundamental IT Skills

Video: Importance of Cybersecurity Technical Skills

Reading: Cybersecurity Technical Skills Facts

Video: Expert Viewpoints: Cybersecurity Technical Skills

Video: Importance of Soft Skills

Reading: Soft Skills Facts

Video: Expert Viewpoints: Soft Skills

Reading: Skills to Job Role Mapping

Module 2 Summary: Cybersecurity Skills

Module 2 Practice Quiz: Cybersecurity Skills

Module 2 Glossary: Cybersecurity Skills

Module 2 Graded Quiz: Cybersecurity Skills

Module 3: Cybersecurity Certifications

Video: Benefits of Cybersecurity Certifications

Reading: Cybersecurity Certifications Facts

Video: Expert Viewpoints: Benefits of Industry Certifications

Video: Overview of Cybersecurity Certifications

Reading: CompTIA Certifications

Reading: ISC2 Certifications

Reading: Other Certifications

Video: Expert Viewpoints: Impact of Certifications

Video: Choosing the Right Certification

Video: Study for the Exam

Video: Schedule and Take the Exam

Video: Expert Viewpoints: Tips for Taking and Passing a Certification Exam

Module 3 Summary: Cybersecurity Certifications

Practice Quiz: Cybersecurity Certifications

Module 3 Glossary: Cybersecurity Certifications

Module 3 Graded Quiz: Cybersecurity Certifications

Module 4: Final Project and Assessment

Final Project: Develop your Cybersecurity Career Plan

[Optional] Project Submission and Evaluation

Reading: Course Summary

Glossary (Cumulative)

Graded Quiz: Final Assessment (15 Questions)

Video: Landing your first job in Cybersecurity

Video: Expert Viewpoints: Tips for a Cybersecurity Career

Video: Cybersecurity Career FAQ

Congratulations and Next Steps (refer final optional project)

Thanks from the Course Team

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Details the roles, responsibilities, and progression within the cybersecurity field, offering a clear roadmap for career advancement

Explores the importance of both technical and soft skills, providing a balanced approach to professional development in cybersecurity

Familiarizes learners with recognized certifications like CompTIA, ISC2, A+, and CISSP, which are highly valued in the cybersecurity industry

Includes insights from cybersecurity experts on various career paths, offering real-world perspectives and guidance

Requires learners to develop a cybersecurity career plan, which may be useful for those seeking to enter the field

Presented by IBM, which is recognized for its cybersecurity products and services and for its contributions to the field

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 Launch your Cybersecurity Career with these activities:

Review IT Fundamentals

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Solidify your understanding of fundamental IT concepts. This will provide a strong base for understanding cybersecurity roles and responsibilities.

Browse courses on IT Fundamentals

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Review basic hardware and software concepts.
Practice troubleshooting common IT issues.
Familiarize yourself with networking fundamentals.

Read 'Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead'

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Study this book to gain a deeper understanding of security concepts. This will help you prepare for the Security+ certification and related job roles.

View CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead on Amazon

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Read the chapters related to network security.
Complete the practice questions at the end of each chapter.
Review the key concepts and definitions.

Attend a Cybersecurity Conference

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Expand your network and learn from industry professionals. This will provide valuable insights into current trends and career opportunities.

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Research cybersecurity conferences in your area.
Register for a conference that aligns with your interests.
Attend sessions and network with other attendees.
Follow up with contacts you made at the conference.

Four other activities

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Create a Cybersecurity Career Roadmap

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Synthesize your learning by creating a visual roadmap of cybersecurity career paths. This will help you solidify your understanding of different roles and progression.

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Research different cybersecurity roles and their requirements.
Map out potential career paths and progression steps.
Create a visual representation of your career roadmap.
Share your roadmap with peers for feedback.

Develop a Home Network Security Plan

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Apply your knowledge by creating a security plan for a home network. This will help you understand real-world security challenges and solutions.

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Assess the security risks to your home network.
Implement security measures such as firewalls and strong passwords.
Document your security plan and procedures.
Test your security measures and make adjustments as needed.

Create a Presentation on a Cybersecurity Topic

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Deepen your understanding by creating and delivering a presentation. This will improve your communication skills and knowledge retention.

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Choose a cybersecurity topic that interests you.
Research the topic and gather relevant information.
Create a presentation with clear and concise slides.
Practice your presentation and deliver it to an audience.

Read 'CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide'

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Study this book to gain a deeper understanding of advanced security concepts. This will help you prepare for the CISSP certification and related job roles.

View CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide, Ninth Edition on Amazon

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Read the chapters related to risk management.
Complete the practice questions at the end of each chapter.
Review the key concepts and definitions.

Career center

Learners who complete Launch your Cybersecurity Career will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Security Analyst

A Security Analyst plays a crucial role in protecting an organization's digital assets by monitoring networks for security breaches, investigating security incidents, and implementing security measures. This course is excellent for anyone looking to become a security analyst, as it covers the various roles and responsibilities within cybersecurity, along with providing a balanced approach to both technical and soft skills. It also introduces the most recognized certifications in the field like CompTIA’s Security+ that are commonly sought after in security analyst roles. This course will directly help in understanding what a day may be like for a security analyst and the career path they might take. Modules on career paths, technical skills, and relevant certifications help build a solid foundation for a career as a security analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Information Security Specialist

An Information Security Specialist is tasked with implementing security measures to protect an organization's sensitive information. This course provides a good overview of the different roles and responsibilities in cybersecurity which is critical for Information Security Specialists. The course’s curriculum, encompassing both technical and soft skills, helps build a foundation for an information security specialist to be successful in their role. The course content on preparation for certification in the field can prepare individuals for career progression. The course can help with establishing a comprehensive understanding of skills and certifications needed for such a position.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Specialist

Security Operations Center Analyst

A Security Operations Center Analyst monitors an organization's systems for security threats. This course can help anyone looking to become a security operations center analyst because it details the various career paths and responsibilities within cybersecurity. The course also helps to highlight the importance of both technical and soft skills within the profession. This course may be useful as it also discusses the important and well-recognized certifications, which can be useful to security operation center analysts. The course helps a future analyst understand how their role fits into the broader cybersecurity landscape.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Operations Center Analyst

Vulnerability Analyst

A Vulnerability Analyst identifies and assesses security weaknesses in systems and networks. This course may be helpful for anyone looking to work in this role because it describes the various cybersecurity positions that are available, as well as the responsibilities that are expected at each level. The course details the specific certifications that are important to the overall field of cybersecurity. This course also outlines the importance of soft and technical skills. The course may be particularly useful in that it details different career pathways, which is key if one's goal is to advance as a vulnerability analyst. The course can help a vulnerability analyst understand the full scope of cybersecurity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vulnerability Analyst

Incident Responder

Incident Responders are responsible for identifying, analyzing, and mitigating security incidents. This course may be helpful for any aspiring Incident Responder because the material details the various roles and responsibilities within cybersecurity as well as relevant certifications. The course's focus on technical and soft skills helps to build a foundation for success in this role. The course can help someone understand what they may experience as an incident responder and how to deal with career progression. The course provides key knowledge regarding the various career paths available.

See salaries and explore the career path for Incident Responder

Cybersecurity Consultant

Cybersecurity Consultants advise organizations on how to protect their information technology infrastructure against cyber threats. This course may be very helpful to aspiring cybersecurity consultants because it provides an overview of various cybersecurity career paths, skillsets involved, and industry certifications that help show competence. Understanding the roles and responsibilities at different levels, as taught in the course, is important when recommending suitable solutions for clients. The course can help a consultant to understand what their client's needs may be and how to meet them. The course also lays a foundation by talking about the importance of both technical and soft skills for success as a consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Consultant

Cloud Security Specialist

A Cloud Security Specialist focuses on securing data and applications in the cloud. This course can help anyone looking to become a cloud security specialist because it provides an introduction to the different cybersecurity roles, responsibilities, and career paths. The course will help prospective cloud security specialists learn about recognized certifications in the field which will help with career progression. Additionally, the course touches on the importance of both technical and soft skills which helps specialists as they will need to develop solutions and communicate their ideas to others. The course can give a foundational understanding of the cybersecurity landscape.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Specialist

Security Architect

A Security Architect is responsible for designing and overseeing the implementation of an organization's overall security infrastructure. This course can help anyone interested in a security architect position become familiar with the field and the various roles and responsibilities. The course touches on different career levels and can help give a sense of the steps to take to advance to a security architect level position. The course's material on certifications may be useful to those looking to establish their credibility. The course's emphasis on both technical and soft skills, is helpful for security architects who need to be able to design solutions and communicate those ideas to others.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Architect

Network Security Engineer

Network Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain an organization's network security infrastructure, protecting it from unauthorized access and misuse. This course will be beneficial for understanding the cybersecurity landscape as it introduces the various roles, responsibilities, and career paths in the field. This course may be useful in that the modules on technical skills and industry certifications like CompTIA and ISC2, are very relevant to become a network security engineer. The course also provides a balanced approach to soft skills development which is important for effective communication with colleagues and stakeholders of a network security engineer. The course helps to clarify how to progress up the ladder as a network security engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer

Security Awareness Manager

A Security Awareness Manager develops and implements programs to educate employees on cybersecurity best practices. This course may be helpful since it details the various roles and responsibilities within cybersecurity and the importance of soft skills. The course content on career levels may be useful in developing effective training programs for diverse teams. The course also introduces certifications in the field which can be woven into training programs. The course can help a security awareness manager to understand the full cybersecurity landscape. The course's emphasis on soft skills is critical for an effective security awareness manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Awareness Manager

Penetration Tester

Penetration Testers, also known as ethical hackers, simulate cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities in an organization's systems. This course may be helpful for those aspiring to become penetration testers. The course can help a penetration tester by covering the various roles and responsibilities within cybersecurity. The course highlights the importance of both technical and soft skills in a cybersecurity career. It introduces the relevant certification programs that can demonstrate competence. This course can give an overview of the career path that a penetration tester may follow. The course helps build an overview of the cybersecurity landscape.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

Compliance Analyst

A Compliance Analyst ensures that an organization's information security practices adhere to regulatory standards and policies. This course may be helpful to future compliance analysts, by offering key insights into the roles and responsibilities of various cybersecurity positions. The course details the different career paths that are available within the cybersecurity field. Furthermore, the course emphasizes both technical and soft skills. This is important since a compliance analyst must be able to understand the requirements and effectively communicate them. The course can prepare a compliance analyst to understand the many certifications in the field. The course helps explain the landscape of cybersecurity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Compliance Analyst

Digital Forensics Analyst

A Digital Forensics Analyst investigates cybercrimes and analyzes digital evidence for legal and internal purposes. This course may be helpful for someone looking to enter the digital forensics field. The course details the various roles and responsibilities in cybersecurity. This course highlights the importance of both technical and soft skills for a cybersecurity career. It also introduces critical industry certifications. This course may be helpful in that it outlines the career paths that digital forensics analysts may take.The course can help in understanding the overall landscape of the cybersecurity field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Forensics Analyst

Security Software Developer

Security Software Developers create security applications and tools to protect systems and data. This course may be useful in that the course introduces the different roles and responsibilities within cybersecurity. This course can help introduce security software developers to the different career paths in the industry. The course touches on the importance of both technical and soft skills which is valuable to the profession. In particular, it can help the developer to better understand the need for the tools that they are building. Additionally, the course describes the relevant certifications in the industry. The course gives insight into how to succeed as a security professional.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Software Developer

Cybersecurity Trainer

Cybersecurity Trainers are responsible for educating individuals or organizations on best practices in cybersecurity. This course may be helpful to anyone looking to become a cybersecurity trainer as it provides a comprehensive view of various roles and responsibilities in cybersecurity. This course can help those looking to be trainers get a grasp on the different cybersecurity career paths that they will be discussing with their students. Because the course has some discussion of soft skills, it can help a cybersecurity trainer to be a better teacher. The course helps to show the importance of understanding certifications in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Trainer

Launch your Cybersecurity Career

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