What is data security?

Data security is the set of actions that an organization undertakes to protect the data that it creates, collects, and stores. It's important for your company to keep its data secure because secure data protects corporate and client information. A number of techniques comprise data security, including encryption, data masking, backup, and erasure. Keeping your data secure can protect your organization from criminal activity and legal action. Data security is increasingly important in a world where threats to data are more prevalent than ever.

Why is it important to learn data security?

It's important to learn about data security because everyone's data is increasingly at risk every day, and you can make a difference in solving that problem. Because organizations store so much of their data online, the data is vulnerable to attack, fraud, or theft, which is what makes data security essential for your company. Failing to protect your company's secrets and customer information can cost you dearly, and that's why data security has become a requirement for corporations. In-depth knowledge of data security can also lead to a lucrative career if you're looking for a change.

What career opportunities can arise from learning data security?

When you gain a thorough knowledge of data security, you can find career opportunities working as a security engineer or analyst with a corporation, or you can strike out on your own as a consultant working with multiple organizations. Many companies hire data security employees with degrees or training certificates, and the more advanced your training, the more money you can earn in the business. When you pass certain security clearances, you can also work for the military or federal government protecting classified information.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn data security?

When you take online data security courses on Coursera, you're going to learn from some of the most prominent names in academia and industry, like Johns Hopkins University, IBM, and Amazon Web Services. You'll gain a thorough understanding of data security along with the practical applications of what you've learned. With your newfound knowledge of data security, you can advance in your current career or seek an exciting new job.

What are the benefits of taking an online Data Security course?

Online Data Security courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Data Security skills. Choose from a wide range of Data Security courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Data Security courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Data Security, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Data Security Courses - Learn Data Security Online

Explore the Data Security Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
Imperial College London
Mathematics for Machine Learning
Skills you'll gain: Linear Algebra, Dimensionality Reduction, NumPy, Regression Analysis, Calculus, Applied Mathematics, Probability & Statistics, Feature Engineering, Data Transformation, Jupyter, Data Science, Advanced Mathematics, Statistics, Machine Learning Algorithms, Machine Learning Methods, Statistical Analysis, Artificial Neural Networks, Algorithms, Data Manipulation, Python Programming
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
15K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Generative AI for Data Analysts
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, ChatGPT, Data Storytelling, OpenAI, Analytics, Data Analysis, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Dashboard, Large Language Modeling, Data Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, Program Development, Data Visualization Software, SQL, Python Programming, Query Languages, Content Creation, Image Analysis, Virtual Environment
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
6.7K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google
Connect and Protect: Networks and Network Security
Skills you'll gain: Network Security, Hardening, Network Protocols, Cloud Security, Network Architecture, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, TCP/IP, Vulnerability Assessments, Computer Networking, Cybersecurity, Network Infrastructure, Firewall, Cloud Computing, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Encryption
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM AI Foundations for Business
Skills you'll gain: Large Language Modeling, Artificial Intelligence, Data Literacy, Data Mining, Generative AI, Data Ethics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Big Data, Information Architecture, Strategic Decision-Making, Enterprise Architecture, ChatGPT, Cloud Computing, Data Analysis, Data Science, Deep Learning, Machine Learning, Data Strategy, Business Strategy, Business Process Automation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
94K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Shiny (R Package), Rmarkdown, Exploratory Data Analysis, Regression Analysis, Leaflet (Software), Version Control, Statistical Analysis, R Programming, Data Manipulation, Data Cleansing, Data Science, Statistical Inference, Predictive Modeling, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Data Wrangling, Data Visualization, Plotly, Machine Learning Algorithms, Plot (Graphics), Knitr
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
51K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google
Process Data from Dirty to Clean
Skills you'll gain: Data Cleansing, Sampling (Statistics), Data Integrity, Data Quality, Data Validation, Sample Size Determination, Data Analysis, Data Manipulation, SQL, Data Transformation, Spreadsheet Software
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
18K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Data Warehouse Engineer
Skills you'll gain: Data Warehousing, SQL, Extract, Transform, Load, Apache Airflow, Linux Commands, Database Design, IBM Cognos Analytics, MySQL, Data Pipelines, Apache Kafka, Database Management, Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Database Architecture and Administration, Data Store, IBM DB2, Relational Databases, Dashboard, File Management, Stored Procedure
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
6.1K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Tools for Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Jupyter, Data Visualization Software, Data Science, GitHub, Big Data, R Programming, Statistical Programming, Application Programming Interface (API), Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Git (Version Control System), Other Programming Languages, Version Control, Query Languages
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
30K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Data Architecture
Skills you'll gain: NoSQL, Data Warehousing, SQL, Apache Hadoop, Extract, Transform, Load, Apache Airflow, Data Security, Linux Commands, Data Migration, Database Design, Data Governance, MySQL, Apache Spark, Data Pipelines, Apache Kafka, Database Management, Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Database Architecture and Administration, Data Store
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
6.6K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California San Diego
Big Data
Skills you'll gain: Apache Spark, Apache Hadoop, Data Integration, Exploratory Data Analysis, Big Data, Graph Theory, Data Pipelines, Database Design, Data Modeling, Regression Analysis, Applied Machine Learning, Data Presentation, Scalability, Data Mining, Data Processing, Statistical Analysis, Data Management, NoSQL, Database Management Systems, Network Analysis
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
14K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Data Analysis and Visualization Foundations
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Big Data, Data Visualization Software, Data Analysis, Dashboard, IBM Cognos Analytics, Statistical Analysis, Data Mining, Apache Hadoop, Tree Maps, Excel Formulas, Data Wrangling, Apache Hive, Data Collection, Data Mart, Microsoft Excel, Data Warehousing, Data Quality, Data Cleansing, Data Import/Export
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
27K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
IBM
IBM Data Analyst
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Dashboard, Data Visualization Software, Plotly, Data Visualization, SQL, Predictive Modeling, Generative AI, Interactive Data Visualization, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Wrangling, Data Analysis, Big Data, Jupyter, Matplotlib, Statistical Analysis, Pandas (Python Package), IBM Cognos Analytics, Excel Formulas, Professional Networking
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
92K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months