As cyber attacks continue to escalate, the job market for IT security specialists is growing at a record pace. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 35% growth for cybersecurity analysts over the next decade - that's seven times faster than the 5% growth rate for all occupations and more than double the 15% growth rate for all IT careers. The Google cybersecurity certificate provides the skills and credentials to pursue an entry-level role in this fast-growing field.
Google’s cybersecurity professional certificate provides self-paced, online training in essential information security topics, including risk management, network security, and vulnerability assessment. Students in this program will also learn how to use marketable platforms to perform cybersecurity tasks, including Linux, SQL and Python.
These top-rated online courses and degrees in cybersecurity are currently enrolling students.
Top Cybersecurity Programs:
Top Cybersecurity Programs:
In addition to its standalone value as a professional credential, training for the Google cybersecurity certificate will prepare you to pass the CompTIA security+ exam. Security+ is a respected, globally-recognized certification that validates basic information security skills.
This page will provide a detailed review of Google’s cybersecurity professional certificate, including the skills you will learn, how much it will cost you, and the careers you can pursue upon completing the program.
Google Cybersecurity Certificate Overview
- Cost: 7-day free trial, followed by a $49/month subscription on Coursera.
- Format: Online lectures, discussion prompts, hands-on labs and quizzes.
- Duration: Approximately 182 hours, or 6 months with 7 hrs of weekly study.
- Skill level: Beginner. No previous experience in cybersecurity is required.
Google Cybersecurity Certificate Curriculum
The Google cybersecurity certification program is divided into eight classes. Course content builds on previous lessons, so it’s recommended to take the courses in order. Here is a list of courses in Google's Cybersecurity Professional Certificate and the core competencies you'll learn in each chapter.
This course provides an introduction to cybersecurity and highlights the essential skills and knowledge needed to become a cybersecurity analyst. It includes training in how cyber attacks impact business operations, common tools used by IT security specialists, and ethical considerations in security.
You will learn:
- Core skills of cybersecurity analysts
- Overview of historical digital attacks
- Security ethics and their importance
- Popular information security tools
This chapter of your cybersecurity certificate covers the primary threats, risks and vulnerabilities that affect business operations. Students will begin to use common cyber-sec tools like Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and incident response playbooks.
You will learn:
- Primary information security threats
- Popular cybersecurity frameworks
- SIEM tools like Chronicle and Splunk
- Cyber incident response playbooks
This section of the Google cybersecurity certificate program covers the main types of computer networks and their components, how information is transferred over a network, and how to secure a network against common cyber attacks.
You will learn:
- Network types and network components
- How data is transmitted over networks
- Defend against common intrusions
- System hardening to secure networks
This part of the lesson plan examines the role of operating systems, applications and computer hardware in cyber security. Students will learn how to use versatile platforms like Linux and SQL to perform common security tasks.
You will learn:
- Relationship between software & hardware
- Graphical user interfaces (GUI) vs. command-line interfaces (CLI)
- Manage Linux files with Bash commands
- Retrieve database info using SQL
This Google cybersecurity certificate course will show you how to classify assets, analyze attack surfaces to uncover vulnerabilities, and identify common cyber threats like malware, social engineering, and web-based exploits.
You will learn:
- Information asset classification
- How to analyze an attack surface
- Identifying common security threats
- Cryptography and security algorithms
This chapter of your training focuses on containing, eradicating, and recovering from security breaches. Students in this course will learn how to investigate cyber incidents using Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS) tools.
You will learn:
- Cyber attack investigation and response
- Interpreting network communication logs
- Essential skills in IDS and NIDS tools
- How to perform queries in SIEM tools
This Google cybersecurity certificate course will introduce the widely-used Python programming language and teach you how to use Python coding to perform information security functions.
You will learn:
- How to write code for Python functions
- Use regular expressions to extract data
- Debug code to correct program errors
- PEP 8 style guide for Python coding
The final chapter of your Google cybersecurity professional training will teach you when and how to escalate a security incident, and how to engage with the cybersecurity community. You will also learn from Google security pros how to apply for cybersecurity jobs and prepare for interviews.
You will learn:
- When and how to escalate an incident
- Engaging with the info-sec community
- IT security job search & interview prep
- Security resume and portfolio creation
Google Cybersecurity Professional Exams
Upon completing the eight online courses, you will earn your Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate. There is no final exam, however each course contains graded assessments that you must pass to become certified.
Google Cybersecurity Certificate Training
In addition to the official Coursera training for Google’s cybersecurity certification featured below, these online programs align with this certificate and careers in cyber security.
- Prep for Google Cybersecurity Certificate
- Information Security Risk Management
- Use Linux, SQL & Python for Security Tasks
- Network Security and Threat Assessment
- Network Design, Security & Management
- Detect and Prevent Network Breaches
- Cyber Incident Response & Investigation
- Prepare for In-Demand IT Certifications
Google Cybersecurity Certificate Salary
This credential provides the skills and knowledge to get an entry-level job in cybersecurity. Here are some popular jobs you can pursue with the Google cybersecurity pro certificate and the average salary for each role.
| Cybersecurity Career | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Junior cybersecurity analyst | $61,000 |
| Security risk analyst | $83,000 |
| Cyber defense analyst | $87,000 |
| Information security analyst | $88,000 |
| Cybersecurity analyst | $90,000 |
| Security operations center (SOC) analyst | $98,000 |
| IT security specialist | $107,000 |
This table represents the average salaries for cybersecurity professionals in the US. If you’re new to the field and just earned your cybersecurity certificate from Google, your starting salary may come in below the national average.
Source for wage data: Indeed.com
Google Cybersecurity Certificate Cost
The average cost of Google's Cybersecurity Pro Certification is $294. The price of this program is based on a subscription model, with a 7-day free trial followed by a charge of $49 per month on Coursera. If you complete the program within the recommended six months, your total cost would be $294. However, your Google cybersecurity certificate cost can be higher or lower, depending on how fast you progress.
Google Cybersecurity Certificate FAQs
Answers to commonly asked questions from Google Cybersecurity Certificate candidates.
Is the Google Cyber Certificate worth it?
Yes, earning a Google Cybersecurity Certificate is worth it. This certification is new to the market, so it doesn’t have a proven track record, however based on the value of other Google career certificates, and the curriculum and instructor quality of this credential, becoming Google cybersecurity certified is a worthy endeavor.
Do I need any experience to enroll in this program?
No, the Google Cybersecurity Certificate was designed for beginners. You don’t need prior experience in cybersecurity or information technology to enroll in this program.
Is the Google cybersecurity pro certificate free?
No, the program costs $49 per month with a Coursera subscription, however you can enroll in the Google cybersecurity certificate for free and try it out during the 7-day trial period.
How long is the Google Cybersecurity Certificate?
The Google cybersecurity professional certificate is designed to be completed in six months, with about 7 hours of study per week. However, the duration of your program can be lower or higher depending on your pace and time commitment.
Can I take individual courses from the Google cybersecurity program?
Yes, you can take separate courses from the Google cybersecurity certificate. However, to become certified, you must complete all 8 courses and pass the graded components.
