An eight-week Open University course on protecting yourself online, with a free badge and statement of participation.
Free certificateCyber Security
24 hrsBeginner
Cybersecurity Fundamentals
IBM's free foundational cybersecurity course covering threat actors, attack types, cryptography and incident response, with a Credly badge.
Taught byIBM SkillsBuildAbout this course
Cybersecurity Fundamentals introduces the concepts and vocabulary of the field: threat groups and attack types, social engineering, real-world case studies, security strategies and cryptography. It then looks at how organisations prevent, detect and respond to attacks, and at the cybersecurity job market.
Best for: Beginners and career changers who want a free, recognised badge in cybersecurity basics.
What you will be able to do
- Describe major cyber threat groups and attack types
- Explain social engineering and how to resist it
- Understand basic cryptography concepts
- Outline how organisations detect and respond to incidents
Syllabus and your progress
Tick modules off as you finish them on IBM SkillsBuild.
0 of 6 modules done
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Cost and certificate
Free certificate
Free for registered IBM SkillsBuild users; scoring 80% or more on the final assessment earns a free IBM Credly badge.
IBM SkillsBuild sets the terms and can change them. Check the course page before you commit serious time, and tell us if something changed.
Quick answers
- Is Cybersecurity Fundamentals really free?
- Yes, the course material is free on IBM SkillsBuild. Free for registered IBM SkillsBuild users; scoring 80% or more on the final assessment earns a free IBM Credly badge.
- How long does Cybersecurity Fundamentals take?
- IBM SkillsBuild does not publish an hour estimate. It is self-paced, so you set the pace.
- Do I need experience before Cybersecurity Fundamentals?
- No. It is a beginner course with no prerequisites listed.
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