Is Google's Cybersecurity Certification Worth It? (Deep Dive & Honest Review!)

Summary

In this video, Jerry from Simply Cyber.io discusses the Google Cyber Security Certificate, addressing common queries about its value and relevance in the job market. The certificate is an educational curriculum for beginners, covering basics like networking, threats, security tools, and ethical hacking. Jerry shares his experience with the course, highlighting its comprehensive nature and practical value, despite not being a direct job requirement. He also emphasizes the importance of leveraging course knowledge to enhance one's resume and interview performance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jerry from Simply Cyber introduces the Google Cyber Security Certificate, a beginner-friendly educational curriculum offered by Google through Coursera.
• 🎓 The certificate is designed for individuals with no prior experience in cybersecurity who wish to learn the fundamentals and pursue an entry-level career.
• 📚 The curriculum covers a range of topics including networking, threats and attacks, security tooling, risk management, compliance, incident response (IR), ethical hacking, and cloud security.
• 🔍 Jerry personally took three of the eight courses to evaluate their quality and found them to be good, with a mix of video content, reading material, and hands-on exercises.
• 📈 The courses are heavy on theory but also include capstone projects at the end of each course, providing practical application of the knowledge learned.
• 💼 Jerry suggests that while the certificate may not be explicitly required in job postings, the knowledge gained can be valuable in interviews and should be highlighted on resumes.
• 📁 Each course completion provides a certificate and downloadable templates, helping to build a toolbox of information for professional use.
• 🕒 The Coursera platform offers a 7-day free trial, after which a monthly subscription of $49 is required for continued access.
• 🚀 Jerry recommends using the free trial to complete at least one course to understand the course structure and content quality.
• 🌐 The Google Cyber Security Certificate may not be as well-known as other industry certificates, but it covers comprehensive knowledge that can be beneficial for entry-level positions.
• 🔗 Jerry encourages viewers to check out the course content and join the Simply Cyber Discord server for networking and support.

Q & A

What is the Google Cyber Security Certificate?

The Google Cyber Security Certificate is an educational curriculum designed for beginners, offered by Google through the Coursera platform. It is intended for people with no prior experience in cybersecurity who want to learn the fundamentals and pursue an entry-level career in the field.

Who is the Google Cyber Security Certificate designed for?

The certificate is designed for beginners in cybersecurity, including those pivoting from other jobs, recent high school or college graduates, and even retired military personnel, regardless of age or prior background knowledge.

What topics are covered in the Google Cyber Security Certificate curriculum?

The curriculum covers a range of topics including networking, threats and attacks, security tooling, risk management, compliance, incident response (IR), ethical hacking, and cloud security.

How is the curriculum structured?

The curriculum is broken up into eight different courses, each covering specific aspects of cybersecurity such as network security, managing risk, fundamentals of information security, and others.

What is the format of the courses in the Google Cyber Security Certificate?

The courses include video content, reading materials, hands-on exercises, and quizzes at the end of every section to assess skills. Each course ends with a Capstone project that provides a scenario for students to apply their learning.

What are the benefits of completing the courses in the Google Cyber Security Certificate?

Upon completion of each course, students receive a certificate that can be shared on social media and added to their professional resume. Additionally, students gain access to downloadable templates and tools that can be used in their professional work or to build a portfolio.

Is there a time limit for completing the courses in the Google Cyber Security Certificate?

The courses are asynchronous, allowing students to learn at their own pace. However, the entire Coursera platform is free for seven days, after which a monthly subscription fee applies.

How does the Google Cyber Security Certificate compare to other industry certifications?

While the Google Cyber Security Certificate may not be as widely recognized in job postings as other industry certifications, it provides comprehensive knowledge that covers all the topics tested in those certifications, potentially giving students an edge in job interviews.

Can the Google Cyber Security Certificate help in getting a job in cybersecurity?

Although the certificate itself is not commonly listed in job postings, the knowledge gained from the courses can enable candidates to speak intelligently during job interviews and provide material for their resumes that hiring managers find valuable.

What additional resources are available for those interested in the Google Cyber Security Certificate?

Prospective students can join the Simply Cyber Discord server for networking and support from other aspiring cybersecurity students and active practitioners. There is also a link in the video description to try the Coursera platform for free for seven days.

How can one keep up with the latest in cybersecurity while pursuing the Google Cyber Security Certificate?

Jerry from Simply Cyber.io recommends joining his daily live stream, the Simply Cyber Daily Threat Brief Podcast, where he discusses top cyber news stories and shares his insights from 20 years of industry experience.