Beginner 180 hours English Professional CertificateFREE
Our recommendation
Google's beginner cybersecurity certificate, a structured route into entry-level security roles with no experience required. Across eight courses it covers security foundations, networks, Linux, SQL, Python and incident response. Broad and job-focused; with 150,000-plus graduates, you will need projects and practice to stand out.
Good for: Career changers and beginners aiming for an entry-level cybersecurity or SOC role.
Less suitable if: You already work in security, or you want deep, specialist training.
Realistic time: About 180 hours; under six months at 10 hours a week.
About this course
The Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate is an eight-course, roughly 180-hour program that most learners finish in about six months at 7 hours a week. You can audit the material free; the shareable certificate runs on Coursera's ~$49/month subscription, so finishing faster costs less — typically $150–$300 in total.
What you'll learn
Understand core security frameworks, controls, and the CIA triad
Use Linux, SQL, and the command line for everyday security tasks
Recognise and respond to common network attacks and vulnerabilities
Automate security tasks with Python
Work with SIEM tools and intrusion-detection systems
Run the incident-response lifecycle end to end
This course includes
180h
On-demand video
Yes
Certificate
English
Language
What it costs
Free to audit on Coursera; the certificate needs a subscription, around $49 a month, with financial aid available.
Comparison · LBS
Compare alternatives for Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate
Same topic, different options. We surface the trade-offs others hide so you can pick the course that actually fits your time, budget, and goals.
The certificate is issued through Coursera with Google, with a 150-plus employer network. It gets you past the first filter for entry-level roles, but with so many graduates, projects, labs and CTF practice are what get you hired.
Last updated
Instructor
G
Google
Coursera instructor
Built by Google's own security teams as part of the Google Career Certificates program and taught by Googlers working in the field. The curriculum is shaped around the skills Google says it looks for in entry-level security hires.
Yes as a first step into cybersecurity for beginners. It is recognised, but with 150,000-plus graduates you will need projects and practice to stand out.
It gets you past the first filter for entry-level roles like SOC analyst, and Google connects graduates with 150-plus employers. Hands-on proof — labs, CTFs, incident reports — is what converts it into offers.
You can audit it free on Coursera; the certificate needs a subscription, with financial aid available.
About 180 hours — under six months at 10 hours a week.
No. It is built for complete beginners, and covers Linux, SQL and Python along the way.
Rarely. Pair it with hands-on practice and possibly a further certification like CompTIA Security+ to strengthen your profile.