What is information security?

Information security is the practice of keeping data protected from theft, destruction, or misuse. It's different from cybersecurity in that cybersecurity refers to protecting physical computer assets, while information security concerns defending data from hackers. The practices of information security protect data from accidental breaches, unauthorized access, and malicious attacks. Whether you're storing your data or transmitting it from one place to another, information security keeps your data safe. The term "data" includes printed media as well as electronic information, and information security practices protect your data whether or not it's confidential.

Why study information security?

Our world has become increasingly dependent on data, and malicious people want to get their hands on information, which makes information security vital to our modern society. Piracy, identity theft, and intellectual property crimes are on the rise every year, so the demand for people and software that protects data continues to grow. Data breaches cost money and can damage reputations, so keeping information protected can prevent catastrophic problems. A working knowledge of information security is crucial if you're interested in a career in information technology.

What are typical careers that use information security skills?

You can apply your knowledge of information security in a vast array of industries. Companies all over the country are looking for information technology specialists to help keep their sensitive and proprietary data safe, and jobs are available in the finance, healthcare, government, law enforcement, and insurance sectors, as well as in other areas. Cybersecurity and information technology companies are also hiring, and these businesses work with various clients to protect data from hackers and other attacks. You may even be able to start your own business in information security.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn information security?

Learning information security with online courses on Coursera allows you to gain a foothold in this growing field. You can gain firsthand experience in the issues that drive the information security industry, as well as the methods that data professionals use to combat hackers and data pirates. Opportunities exist to work toward becoming an IBM cybersecurity analyst, learn about cryptography, and understand regulatory compliance.

What are the benefits of taking an online Information Security course?

Online Information Security courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Information Security skills. Choose from a wide range of Information Security courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Information Security courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Information Security, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Information Security Courses - Learn Information Security Online

Explore the Information Security Course Catalog

Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Whizlabs
Exam Prep (SAP-C02): AWS Solutions Architect - Professional
Skills you'll gain: AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), Amazon CloudWatch, AWS SageMaker, Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Redshift, Serverless Computing, Identity and Access Management, Amazon S3, AWS CloudFormation, Cloud Management, AWS Kinesis, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Amazon Web Services, Cloud Security, Network Security, Threat Detection, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud, Network Architecture, Infrastructure Security, Kubernetes
Advanced · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Simplilearn
Generative AI Course in Software Testing and Documentation
Skills you'll gain: Software Documentation, Test Automation, Generative AI, Software Testing, Vulnerability Assessments, Test Case, Software Quality Assurance, Application Security, Secure Coding, Full-Stack Web Development, Artificial Intelligence, Prompt Engineering, Technical Documentation, Application Programming Interface (API)
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Board Infinity
Introduction to Hibernate
Skills you'll gain: Software Design Patterns, Secure Coding, Java Platform Enterprise Edition (J2EE), System Monitoring, Performance Tuning, Maintainability, Model View Controller, Java, Application Security, Hibernate (Java), Software Architecture, Enterprise Architecture, Web Applications, Debugging, Continuous Monitoring, Transaction Processing
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Whizlabs
AWS: Content Delivery and Networking
Skills you'll gain: Amazon Web Services, Network Architecture, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Cloud Computing Architecture, Computer Networking, Cloud Infrastructure, Load Balancing, Network Routing, Hybrid Cloud Computing, Network Security, Data Migration
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Packt
Mastering MongoDB 7.0
Skills you'll gain: MongoDB, Data Modeling, Query Languages, Data Security, Database Architecture and Administration, NoSQL, System Monitoring, Database Management, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), Transaction Processing, Performance Tuning, Scalability, Encryption
Intermediate · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google
Troubleshooting and Debugging Techniques
Skills you'll gain: Debugging, Technical Communication, Network Troubleshooting, Performance Tuning, Problem Management, Technical Documentation, Technical Support, System Monitoring, System Support, Incident Management, Application Performance Management, Continuous Integration, Scripting
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Whizlabs
AWS: Management and Governance
Skills you'll gain: Amazon CloudWatch, AWS CloudFormation, Cloud Management, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Amazon S3, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud, AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), Multi-Tenant Cloud Environments, System Monitoring, Configuration Management, Performance Tuning, Security Controls
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Google Cloud
Creating Business Value with Data and Looker
Skills you'll gain: Looker (Software), Dashboard, Data Governance, Digital Transformation, Real Time Data, Google Cloud Platform, Data Modeling, Data Management, Data Warehousing, Data Visualization Software, Data Analysis, Data Sharing, Big Data, Cloud Storage, Analytics, Business Intelligence, Data Presentation, Data Processing, Database Design, Performance Tuning
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Universidad de Palermo
Inteligencia Artificial Aplicada al Derecho
Skills you'll gain: Legal Writing, Legal Strategy, Prompt Engineering, Legal Research, ChatGPT, Legal Risk, Data Ethics, Generative AI, Personally Identifiable Information, Artificial Intelligence, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Verification And Validation
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Build RAG Applications: Get Started
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, Prompt Engineering, Large Language Modeling, Application Development, Application Frameworks, User Interface (UI), Natural Language Processing, Jupyter
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
University of Minnesota
Information Technology Entrepreneurship & Startup
Skills you'll gain: Prototyping, Customer Acquisition Management, Product Design, Target Market, Market Opportunities, Competitive Analysis, Go To Market Strategy, Market Analysis, Persona Development, Design Thinking, Product Development, Ideation, Business Modeling, Entrepreneurship, Growth Strategies, Price Negotiation, Business Planning, New Business Development, Emerging Technologies, Technology Strategies
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Enterprise Product Management Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Product Development, New Product Development, Product Management, Product Lifecycle Management, Product Roadmaps, Market Research, Microsoft 365, Product Requirements, Technical Product Management, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Project Management Institute (PMI) Methodology, Product Strategy, Market Analysis, Compliance Management, Competitive Analysis, Enterprise Security, Agile Methodology, Prioritization
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
28 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months