Computer Security and Networks
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Frequently Asked Questions about Computer Security and Networks
This category covers the foundations of secure software and hardware, including network security, cybersecurity, risk management, and cryptography. You’ll find options ranging from beginner-friendly introductions to focused courses and specializations aligned to these subtopics.
Start with introductions like Google’s Foundations of Cybersecurity and The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking. IBM’s Introduction to Cybersecurity Essentials and Introduction to Cybersecurity Tools & Cyberattacks provide additional fundamentals.
Yes—browse Guided Projects to practice tools and workflows in your browser. Examples include Wireshark for Packet Capture: Analyze web traffic, Wireshark for Security: Detect Network Anomalies, Analyze Network Traffic with TCPDump, and VPN Tunneling with OpenVPN.
The Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate offers a structured path for beginners. For certification-focused learning, consider the ISC2 Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) Professional Certificate.
Google’s The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking covers core concepts, while System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services dives into operations and management. You can also explore Configuration Management and the Cloud to automate and maintain networked environments.
Yes—Coursera features Professional Certificates like the Google Cybersecurity program and ISC2 SSCP training. You can also build foundational skills through Specializations such as NYU’s Introduction to Cyber Security. These paths help you develop job-ready skills and prepare for certification exams.
Some of the topics that you can study that are related to computer security and networking include computer hardware, computer systems, information security, web development, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and risk assessment. All of these areas have insights that can benefit you as you learn more about computer security and networking.
Coursera offers online degrees you can start building toward from this category. Examples include the University of Colorado Boulder’s Master of Science in Computer Science, Illinois Tech’s Master of Information Technology, and Dartmouth’s Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering.
Prerequisites vary by course, but a basic understanding of IT and networking fundamentals is helpful. If you’re just starting, begin with introductory courses like Foundations of Cybersecurity or The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking to build confidence.
