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

Amazon Web Services
AWS Cloud Support Associate
Skills you'll gain: AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Command-Line Interface, Amazon CloudWatch, AWS CloudFormation, Root Cause Analysis, Amazon DynamoDB, Customer Relationship Building, Network Troubleshooting, Amazon Web Services, Customer Relationship Management, Software Architecture, IT Automation, Linux Commands, Cloud Computing, Linux, Amazon S3, Scalability, Technical Support, Web Applications
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6.4K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Vanderbilt University
ChatGPT + Zapier: AI-Powered Email Mastery
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Productivity, Microsoft Power Automate/Flow, Calendar Management, Organizational Skills, Gmail, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Modeling, HubSpot CRM, Business Process Automation, Google Sheets, Google Workspace, Data Integration, Automation, Creative Thinking, Ingenuity, Google Docs, Workflow Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Amazon Web Services
AWS Cloud Solutions Architect
Skills you'll gain: AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), Amazon CloudWatch, Data Lakes, Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Web Services, Serverless Computing, Cloud Computing, Amazon S3, Scalability, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud, Event-Driven Programming, Cloud Security, Solution Architecture, Data Visualization, Cloud Computing Architecture, Cloud Storage, Data Architecture, API Gateway, Data Infrastructure, AWS CloudFormation
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6.7K reviews
Intermediate · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Amazon Web Services
AWS Cloud Technology Consultant
Skills you'll gain: AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Amazon CloudWatch, AWS CloudFormation, Software Development Life Cycle, CI/CD, Amazon Web Services, Professional Networking, IT Automation, Cloud Computing, Amazon S3, Extract, Transform, Load, DevOps, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Software Architecture, Cloud Computing Architecture, Amazon DynamoDB, Cloud Infrastructure, Web Applications, Leadership Development
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6.6K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Amazon Web Services
AWS Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), Amazon CloudWatch, Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Web Services, Serverless Computing, Cloud Computing, Amazon S3, Scalability, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud, Event-Driven Programming, Solution Architecture, Cloud Computing Architecture, Data Migration, Cloud Storage, API Gateway, Hybrid Cloud Computing, Cloud Management, Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Security, Data Import/Export
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6.4K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Virginia
Digital Product Management
Skills you'll gain: Usability Testing, Agile Product Development, New Product Development, Continuous Delivery, Agile Software Development, User Story, Product Management, Agile Methodology, Product Testing, Agile Project Management, Team Performance Management, Team Management, Design Thinking, Team Building, Team Leadership, Product Improvement, Customer Analysis, Innovation, Analytics, Business Analytics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
9.6K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
PwC
Data Analysis and Presentation Skills: the PwC Approach
Skills you'll gain: Analytics, Business Analytics, Data Analysis, Microsoft PowerPoint, Data Presentation, Presentations, Excel Formulas, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Dashboard, Data Storytelling, Business Intelligence, Microsoft Excel, Customer Analysis, Data Visualization, Data Visualization Software, Data Literacy, Big Data, Verbal Communication Skills, Data Cleansing, Spreadsheet Software
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
11K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
Infosec
CompTIA Security+ 701
Skills you'll gain: Cybersecurity, Cyber Attacks, Incident Response, Information Systems Security, Threat Modeling, Application Security, Security Management, Computer Security Incident Management, Network Security, IT Security Architecture, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Cyber Threat Intelligence, Security Controls, Identity and Access Management, Cryptography, Threat Detection, Data Security, Encryption, Security Strategy, Personally Identifiable Information
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
212 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Introduction to Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Big Data, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Apache Hadoop, Apache Hive, Data Warehousing, Apache Spark, Data Cleansing, Data Lakes, Data Visualization Software, Relational Databases
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
19K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Systems Analyst
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Business Analysis, Systems Development Life Cycle, Test Planning, Business Process Modeling, Unified Modeling Language, Process Optimization, Requirements Management, Systems Analysis, Business Requirements, Stakeholder Management, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), Process Analysis, Data Modeling, Agile Methodology, Stakeholder Engagement, Requirements Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Information Technology, Computer Hardware
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.4K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google
Analyze Data to Answer Questions
Skills you'll gain: Data Validation, Spreadsheet Software, Data Analysis, Analytics, Data Manipulation, Excel Formulas, Data Compilation, Pivot Tables And Charts, SQL, Data Integration, Data Transformation, User Feedback
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
12K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Peking University
Chinese for Beginners
Skills you'll gain: Language Learning, Language Competency, Vocabulary, Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
20K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months