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

MedCerts
Medical Billing and Coding Essentials
Skills you'll gain: Revenue Cycle Management, Medical Billing and Coding, ICD Coding (ICD-9/ICD-10), Electronic Medical Record, Copayment Collection and Processing, Health Care Procedure and Regulation, Medical Privacy, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Patient Registration, Health Information Management, Medicare, Medical Terminology, Data Security
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
508 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
University of London
Probability and Statistics: To p or not to p?
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Statistics, Statistics, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Data Visualization, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Statistical Modeling, Data Analysis, Probability, Probability Distribution, Sampling (Statistics), Risk Modeling, Statistical Inference, Mathematical Modeling
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Google
Google データアナリティクス
Skills you'll gain: Rmarkdown, Data Presentation, Data Ethics, Data Storytelling, Data Visualization, Data Cleansing, Stakeholder Communications, Analytical Skills, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Visualization Software, Data Validation, Dashboard, Ggplot2, Interviewing Skills, Data Access, Spreadsheet Software, Data Analysis, Tableau Software, Data Synthesis, Data Manipulation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
607 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Infosec
Cybersecurity Foundations
Skills you'll gain: Penetration Testing, Cyber Security Policies, Linux Commands, Cyber Security Assessment, Command-Line Interface, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Linux, Risk Management Framework, Network Monitoring, Security Management, Operating Systems, Cyber Risk, Threat Management, General Networking, Vulnerability Assessments, Windows PowerShell, Cyber Governance, Microsoft Windows, Virtual Machines
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
613 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Understanding Financial Statements: Company Position
Skills you'll gain: Balance Sheet, Financial Statements, Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Accounting, Accounting, Financial Reporting, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Asset Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Microsoft
Microsoft Excel
Skills you'll gain: Excel Macros, Prompt Engineering, Microsoft Excel, Data Cleansing, Excel Formulas, Pivot Tables And Charts, Microsoft Copilot, Dashboard, Forecasting, Data Presentation, Data Storytelling, Data Processing, Data Visualization Software, Data Manipulation, Data Visualization, Predictive Modeling, Data Quality, Statistical Analysis, Data Transformation, Data Analysis
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
82 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
e-Learning Ecologies: Innovative Approaches to Teaching and Learning for the Digital Age
Skills you'll gain: Differentiated Instruction, Collaborative Software, Education Software and Technology, Pedagogy, Learning Management Systems, Digital Transformation, Emerging Technologies, Innovation, Multimedia, Digital Communications
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Web Application Security Testing with OWASP ZAP
Skills you'll gain: Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Vulnerability Scanning, Proxy Servers, Security Testing, Penetration Testing, Vulnerability Assessments, Application Security, Vulnerability Management, Web Scraping, Web Applications
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
286 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Imperial College London
Introduction to Statistics & Data Analysis in Public Health
Skills you'll gain: Analytical Skills, Sampling (Statistics), Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Data Literacy, Data Analysis, Statistical Software, R Programming, Statistics, Public Health, Descriptive Statistics, Probability Distribution, Data Import/Export
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Meta
Introduction to Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Business Metrics, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Data Cleansing, Data Modeling, Analytics, Data Analysis, Data Visualization, Data Validation, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Quality, Data Manipulation, Generative AI, Data Collection
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
829 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
University of Maryland, College Park
The Cycle: Management of Successful Arts and Cultural Organizations
Skills you'll gain: Fundraising, Business Management, Organizational Strategy, Event Management, Governance, Stakeholder Engagement, Business Planning, Marketing, Strategic Marketing, Business Strategies, Growth Strategies, Customer Engagement
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
722 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Data Science Foundations: Statistical Inference
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Probability, Probability & Statistics, Probability Distribution, Statistical Inference, Statistical Methods, Statistics, Bayesian Statistics, Data Science, Sampling (Statistics), Data Ethics, Statistical Analysis, Quantitative Research, Sample Size Determination
Build toward a degree
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
322 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months