Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Can I just enroll in a single course?

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Can I take the course for free?

No, you cannot take this course for free. When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?

This Specialization doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.

ISC2 Essentials of Cloud Certificate Specialization

Demonstrate Knowledge of Essential Cloud Concepts

Instructor: ISC2 Education & Training

3 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

4 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Earn a Certificate

With paid plans

3 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

4 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Earn a Certificate

With paid plans

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS)

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

59 practice exercises

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Advance your subject-matter expertise

Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
Earn a career certificate from ISC2

Specialization - 3 course series

This specialization invites you to build and demonstrate knowledge of essential cloud concepts and principles and their impacts on security for systems and organizations. Through solid knowledge of cloud computing, strategic and secure approaches to cloud implementation, and understanding of the challenges of working in the cloud, security professionals can help ensure that their organizations benefit from cloud while maintaining a strong security posture.

This specialization is a 15-hour learning experience.

Course 1 - Cloud Basics

Course 2 - Moving to the Cloud

Course 3 - Working in the Cloud

Applied Learning Project

The specialization is delivered as an online interactive course throughout which learners will be asked to work through and complete activities. The learning activities can include:

Text-based content
Video-based content
Knowledge Checks and Summary Checks
Final Assessment

Cloud Basics

Course 17 hours

What you'll learn

Cloud computing continues to transform the way we conduct business. As organizations are rethinking IT strategies, cybersecurity professionals need to first understand the cloud before they can help their organizations transition to the cloud. Through self-paced learning and activities, security professionals experience content designed to provide a solid understanding of cloud computing including key drivers and rationale for the cloud, cloud architecture and computing concepts and characteristics, cloud service and deployment models, and cloud brokers. 

By the end of this course, a learner will be able to: - Understand concepts around cloud computing and why organizations use the cloud.  - Explore the five essential characteristics of cloud computing.  - Examine essential service and deployment models within cloud concept architecture.  - Learn about cloud brokers and why they are an important part of cloud deployments.  Target Learners: Early to mid-career security professionals who want to gain and demonstrate an understanding of essential cloud concepts and principles.

Skills you'll gain

Cloud Computing, Cloud Services, Cloud Platforms, Virtualization, Resource Allocation, Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS), Public Cloud, Cloud Security, Containerization, Cloud Infrastructure, Platform As A Service (PaaS), Scalability, Software As A Service, Hybrid Cloud Computing, and Cloud Computing Architecture

Moving to the Cloud

Course 25 hours

What you'll learn

Driven by economic advantage, companies worldwide are making the transition from enterprise IT to cloud computing. But are they doing it strategically? Are they keeping security at the fore of their priorities? In Moving to the Cloud, we bring you a four-phased approach to transforming your organization — strategically and securely — using business alignment as your guidepost.

In this course, you will learn how to: - Devise a strategic process for moving to the cloud - Identify security concerns and risk factors - Define your organization’s specific needs and responsibilities - Evaluate service level agreements and cloud providers Who should take this course? Early to mid-career security professionals who want to gain and demonstrate an understanding of essential cloud concepts and principles.

Skills you'll gain

Cloud Security, Service Level Agreement, Disaster Recovery, Risk Management, Security Requirements Analysis, Cloud Computing, Employee Training, Continuous Monitoring, Vendor Management, Business Requirements, Business Continuity, Governance, Cloud Infrastructure, Data Management, Cloud Services, and Data Migration

Working in the Cloud

Course 34 hours

What you'll learn

While cloud computing offers many benefits, security professionals can face a range of challenges as they work to utilize, optimize, and secure critical assets in the cloud. Through self-paced and interactive learning activities, course content is designed to place the learner in the role of a security professional who will need to think critically, apply knowledge, and make decisions to determine the best solution for cloud security challenges.

By the end of this course, a learner will be able to: - Recognize cloud computing terminology and concepts. - Assess how to scale and align cloud services to business needs. - Respond to regulatory and legal issues regarding cloud use.  - Optimize cloud security to mitigate risks. Who should take this course? Early to mid-career security professionals who want to gain and demonstrate an understanding of essential cloud concepts and principles.

Skills you'll gain

Cloud Security, Cloud Computing, Auditing, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Cloud Services, Hybrid Cloud Computing, Security Strategy, Risk Mitigation, Cloud Platforms, and Zero Trust Network Access