Review — Is Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate Worth it?

Launch Your Cybersecurity Career in Less Than 6 Months with Google’s Cyber Security Certificate Program — No Degree or Experience Required

Hello guys, if you want to start your career in Cyber Security then I have a great news for you. Google has launched a new program called The Google Cyber Security Professional Certificate to teach you all the essential skills required to become a Cyber Security Engineer.

As technology continues to advance, so does the need for cybersecurity professionals. The Google Cyber Security Professional Certificate is a program designed to prepare individuals for entry-level roles in the field of cybersecurity, regardless of previous experience or degree.

In this 8-course series, taught by industry experts from Google, participants will gain in-demand skills such as identifying and mitigating risks and vulnerabilities, protecting networks and devices, and using Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools.

The program includes over 170 hours of instruction, hundreds of practice-based assessments, and portfolio-ready projects that simulate real-world scenarios critical for success in the workplace.

By completing the certificate, participants can demonstrate their proficiency to potential employers and earn an industry-recognized credential. In addition, graduates can qualify for in-demand job titles such as cybersecurity analyst, security analyst, or security operations center (SOC) analyst.

But is it really worth it? In this article, we’ll explore the Google Cyber Security Professional Certificate in depth and discuss its potential benefits and drawbacks so that you can decide whether to join this certificate or not.

Btw, this is the third certificate Google launched recently after Google Advanced Data Analytics Professional Certificate and Google Business Intelligence Professional Certificate, so they are really making education suitable for professional work.

What skills you will learn in Google Cyber Security Professional Certificate?

The Google Cyber Security Professional Certificate is an eight-course series that teaches learners the skills needed to protect networks, devices, people, and data from unauthorized access and cyberattacks.

The curriculum covers a range of topics, including identifying common risks, threats, and vulnerabilities, using Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools, and mitigating cybersecurity risks.

you will also gain proficiency in portfolio-ready projects that demonstrate their ability to apply cybersecurity principles in real-world scenarios.

As I said, the certificate program includes 170 hours of instruction and hundreds of practice-based assessments and activities, including portfolio activities through which learners can showcase their skills to potential employers.

Through a mix of videos, assessments, and hands-on labs, you will become familiar with the cybersecurity tools, platforms, and skills required for an entry-level job.

You also learn in-demand tech skills like Python, Linux, SQL, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), communication, collaboration, analysis, problem solving, and more.

Course Review

Now, let’s checkout all the 8 courses which you will complete as part of this Google Certification:

1. Foundations of Cybersecurity

This is the first course in the Google Cybersecurity Certificate. This courses will equip you with the skills you need to prepare for an entry-level cybersecurity job. In this course, you will be introduced to the world of cybersecurity through an interactive curriculum developed by Google.

Here are things you will learn in this course:

1. Identify how security attacks impact business operations.
2. Explore the job responsibilities and core skills of an entry-level cybersecurity analyst.
3. Recognize how past and present attacks on organizations led to the development of the cybersecurity field.
4. CISSP eight security domains. — Identify security domains, frameworks, and controls.
5. Explain security ethics. — Recognize common tools used by cyber security analysts.

You will also learn about significant events that led to the development of the cybersecurity field, explain the importance of cybersecurity in today’s business operations, and explore the job responsibilities and skills of an entry-level cybersecurity analyst

Here is the link to join this course — Foundations of Cybersecurity

Talking about social proof, more than 26,182 people have already enrolled in this course. You can also join the course for free but you won’t get certificate, for that you need to either join this certificate and pay fee or get a Coursera Plus membership program, which give access to more than 7000+ courses and certification.

2. Play It Safe: Manage Security Risks

This is the second course in the Google Cybersecurity Certificate. This courses will teach you with the skills you need to apply for an entry-level cybersecurity job. You’ll build on your understanding of the topics that were introduced in the first Google Cybersecurity Certificate course.

In this course, you will take a deeper dive into concepts introduced in the first course, with an emphasis on how cybersecurity professionals use frameworks and controls to protect business operations. In particular, you’ll identify the steps of risk management and explore common threats, risks, and vulnerabilities.

Here is the link to join this course — Play It Safe: Manage Security Risks

3. Connect and Protect: Networks and Network Security

This is the third course in the Google Cybersecurity Certificate. In this course you will learn skills that you need to apply for an entry-level cybersecurity job. You’ll also build on your understanding of the topics that were introduced in the second Google Cybersecurity Certificate course.

Here are key things you will learn in this course:

1. Describe the structure of different computer networks.
2. Illustrate how data is sent and received over a network.
3. Recognize common network protocols.
4. Identify common network security measures and protocols.
5. Explain how to secure a network against intrusion tactics.
6. Compare and contrast local networks to cloud computing.
7. Explain the different types of system hardening techniques.

Here is the link to join this course — Connect and Protect: Networks and Network Security

4. Tools of the Trade: Linux and SQL

This is the fourth course in the Google Cybersecurity Certificate. In this course you will learn skills that you’ll use on-the-job as a cybersecurity analyst.

First, you’ll practice using Linux, an operating system commonly used by cybersecurity professionals. For example, you’ll use the Linux command line through the Bash shell to navigate and manage the file system and authenticate users. Then, you’ll also use SQL to communicate with a database.

By the end of this course, you will learn:

1. the relationship between operating systems, applications, and hardware.
2. how to compare a graphical user interface to a command line interface.
3. Identify the unique features of common Linux distributions.
4. Navigate and manage the file system using Linux commands via the Bash shell.
5. How to use Linux commands via the Bash shell to authenticate and authorize users.
6. How to describe how a relational database is organized.
7. How to use SQL to retrieve information from a database.
8. How to apply filters to SQL queries and use joins to combine multiple tables.

Here is the link to join this course — Tools of the Trade: Linux and SQL

5. Assets, Threats, and Vulnerabilities

This is the fifth course in the Google Cybersecurity Certificate. In this course, you will explore the concepts of assets, threats, and vulnerabilities. First, you’ll build an understanding of how assets are classified.

Next, you will become familiar with common threats and vulnerabilities, and the security controls used by organizations to protect valuable information and mitigate risk.

Here are key things you will learn in this course:

1. Effective data handling processes.
2. Role of encryption and hashing in securing assets.
3. how to effectively use authentication and authorization.
4. how common vulnerability exposures are identified by MITRE.
5. Analyze an attack surface to find risks and vulnerabilities.
6. Identify threats, such as social engineering, malware, and web-based exploits.

You will also develop an attacker mindset by practicing the threat modeling process, and you’ll learn tactics for staying ahead of security breaches.

Here is the link to join this course — Assets, Threats, and Vulnerabilities

6. Sound the Alarm: Detection and Response

This is the sixth course in the Google Cybersecurity Certificate. In this course, you will focus on incident detection and response. You’ll define a security incident and explain the incident response lifecycle, including the roles and responsibilities of incident response teams.

You’ll also analyze and interpret network communications to detect security incidents using packet sniffing tools to capture network traffic.

Here are key things you will learn in this course:

1. how to explain the lifecycle of an incident.
2. Describe the tools used in documentation, detection, and management of incidents.
3. Analyze packets to interpret network communications.
4. Perform artifact investigations to analyze and verify security incidents.
5. Identify the steps to contain, eradicate, and recover from an incident
6. Determine how to read and analyze logs during incident investigation.
7. Interpret the basic syntax and components of signatures and logs in Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS) tools.
8. Perform queries in Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools to investigate an event.

By assessing and analyzing artifacts, you’ll explore the incident investigation and response processes and procedures. Additionally, you’ll practice using Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Security Information Event Management (SIEM) tools.

Here is the link to join this course — Sound the Alarm: Detection and Response

7. Automate Cybersecurity Tasks with Python

This is the seventh course in the Google Cybersecurity Certificate. In this course, you will be introduced to the Python programming language and apply it in a cybersecurity setting to automate tasks.

You’ll start by focusing on foundational Python programming concepts, including data types, variables, conditional statements, and iterative statements.

Here are things you will learn:

1. how the Python programming language is used in cybersecurity.
2. Write conditional and iterative statements in Python.
3. Create new, user-defined Python functions.
4. Use Python to work with strings and lists.
5. Use regular expressions to extract information from text.
6. Use Python to open and read the contents of a file.
7. Identify best practices to improve code readability.
8. Practice debugging code

You’ll also learn to work with Python effectively by developing functions, using libraries and modules, and making your code readable. In addition, you’ll work with string and list data, and learn how to import, parse and debug files.

Here is the link to join this course — Automate Cybersecurity Tasks with Python

8. Put It to Work: Prepare for Cybersecurity Jobs

This is the eighth and final course in the Google Cybersecurity Certificate. Together, these eight courses will give you all the skills you need to apply for an entry-level cybersecurity job.

In this course, you will focus on making decisions and escalating incidents to stakeholders. You’ll develop the communication and collaboration skills needed to inform and influence stakeholders within an organization.

In addition, you’ll explore how to ethically operate as a cybersecurity professional. You’ll discover how to engage with the cybersecurity community, explore jobs in the cybersecurity field, and complete practice interviews.

You’ll also write a resume and cover letter to prepare for applying and interviewing for jobs in cybersecurity

Here is the link to join this course — Put It to Work: Prepare for Cybersecurity Jobs

More reasons to Join Google’s Cyber Security Professional Certificate

Apart from the skills you are going to learn in this program, here are few more reasons why you should Google’s Cyber Security Professional certificate in 2024

1. Employer Recognition

One of the major benefits of the Google Cyber Security Professional Certificate is its employer recognition. Upon completion of the certificate, learners can directly apply for jobs with Google and over 150 U.S. employers, including American Express, Deloitte, Colgate-Palmolive, Mandiant (now part of Google Cloud), T-Mobile, and Walmart.

The certificate program is designed and delivered by subject matter experts at Google, providing learners with professional-level training that is highly regarded by employers.

2. Dual Credential

In addition to earning an employer-recognized certificate from Google, learners who complete the certificate program will also be prepared for the CompTIA Security+ exam, the industry leading certification for cybersecurity roles.

Earning this dual credential can help learners stand out in the job market and demonstrate their proficiency in cybersecurity principles and practices.

3. Time and Cost

The Google Cyber Security Professional Certificate can be completed in less than six months, with a commitment of under 10 hours per week. The program is also affordable, with a cost of $39 per month for enrollment in the certificate program.

This makes it an accessible option for learners who may not have a degree or experience in cybersecurity, but who are interested in pursuing a career in this field.

By the way, If you are planning to join multiple Coursera courses or specializations, then consider taking a Coursera Plus subscription which provides you unlimited access to their most popular courses, specialization, professional certificate, and guided projects. It costs around $399/ per year but is worth it because you get access to more than 7000+ courses and projects, and you can also get unlimited certificates.

Coursera Plus | Unlimited Access to 7,000+ Online Courses

4. People’s review

It’s also important to know what others are saying about this course, let’s check out some reviews of Google’s Cyber Security Professional certificate. While, its very new, there are few reviews you can see on Coursera and others on Google learning website itself.

Here is one of them.

And, here is another one:

If you want to read more reviews, you can also check here

Conclusion

That’s all in this review of Google’s Cyber Security Professional certificate. The Google Cyber Security Professional Certificate is a comprehensive and affordable option for learners who want to prepare for a career in cybersecurity.

With professional-level training from subject matter experts at Google and employer recognition from top companies, this certificate program can help you gain the skills needed to succeed in this high-growth field.

Additionally, the dual credential of the Google Cyber Security Professional Certificate and the CompTIA Security+ certification can help learners stand out in the job market and demonstrate their proficiency in cybersecurity principles and practices.

Overall, the Google Cyber Security Professional Certificate is definitely a worthy investment for anyone interested in a career in cybersecurity. If you want to become a Cyber Security Engineer in 2024, I highly recommend you to join this course.

Google Cybersecurity

By the way, If you are planning to join multiple Coursera courses or specializations, then consider taking a Coursera Plus subscription which provides you unlimited access to their most popular courses, specialization, professional certificate, and guided projects. It costs around $59/ per month but is worth it because you get access to more than 7000+ courses and projects, and you can also get unlimited certificates.

Coursera Plus | Unlimited Access to 7,000+ Online Courses