Cybersecurity involves tools, services, systems, and best practices designed to help with the detection, prevention, and mitigation of crime that involves the internet. There are common types of cyberattacks that Cybersecurity aims to address, including phishing, malware, ransomware, and cyberterrorism. The purpose of cyberattacks varies, but some common motivations are to steal private information or demand money.

Cybercriminals continue to strengthen the intensity of their crimes. By 2021, $6 trillion in damages are expected to be paid by businesses responding to cyberattacks. Cybersecurity is critical to learn in order to help individuals and organizations in all sectors defend themselves against these crimes, and the costly damages that happen as a result.

Cybersecurity is one of the trending job skills in Coursera's 2020 Global Skills Index (GSI). Download the 2020 edition of the GSI report.

Organizations in various sectors and industries are in critical need of improved Cybersecurity. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 32 percent growth in hiring in the Cybersecurity Analyst role through 2028. This is good news for budding Cybersecurity pros, who are positioned to earn 9 percent more than their other IT counterparts.

These benefits can be enjoyed by learners earning titles such as Chief Information Security Officer, Forensic Computer Analyst, Information Security Analyst, Penetration Tester, Security Architect, IT Security Engineer, Security Systems Administrator, and others that are related.

Cybersecurity courses offered through Coursera help learners understand modern information- and system- protection technology and methods; how to connect cybersecurity concepts to real business experiences; types of cyberattacks; operating system and database vulnerabilities; topics such as cryptography and digital forensics; and more.

Lessons on Cybersecurity are taught by professors specializing in Computer Science, Information Security, and related disciplines, and are administered via video lectures, interviews with experts, readings, quizzes, and more.