Professional Certificate in Cybersecurity
Accelerate your career in cybersecurity in 24 weeks, online
Advance Your Career in Cybersecurity with MIT xPRO
Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent, complex, and targeted, collectively costing organizations billions of dollars every year. This is why cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States, as every year, more organizations and government agencies seek to hire cybersecurity professionals with the specialized technical skills needed to defend mission-critical computer systems, networks, and cloud applications against cyberattacks.
For senior professionals in the field, the challenge has expanded beyond traditional defense methods. The rise of AI, machine learning, and other emerging technologies is reshaping the way cybercriminals operate, while simultaneously offering new tools for defense. You will be tasked with safeguarding critical systems, not only through technical expertise but also by guiding organizations in adapting to the rapid pace of change and staying ahead of increasingly sophisticated attacks.
Enroll today in the MIT xPRO Professional Certificate in Cybersecurity program, designed to help you explore all branches of cybersecurity and identify your unique path to growth in this high-demand field. It also includes personalized feedback from program leaders, insights from guest speakers, career coaching, mentorship, and the opportunity to create a capstone project on network development to use for a job portfolio.
USD 1.82 Trillion
457,000
Watch the Program Preview
Watch the video to learn how this program can prepare you for high-demand roles in cybersecurity.
Who Is This Program For?
Mid-to-senior IT professionals looking to formalize cybersecurity skills, stay ahead of evolving threats, and prepare for leadership roles or advanced certifications.
Technical managers and leaders seeking to make informed decisions around cybersecurity policy, governance, and implementation
Early-career IT professionals, recent graduates, or students building cybersecurity skills, practical experience, and a strong foundation for specialization.
Professionals from non-technical backgrounds looking to pivot into cybersecurity, gain foundational knowledge, and explore career opportunities in a high-growth field.
Technology professionals and tech enthusiasts exploring cybersecurity concepts to broaden their skill sets and better understand risk, governance, and strategy.
This program focuses on conceptual depth and strategic knowledge rather than on intensive technical training.
Program Frameworks
National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework Version 2.0 (NIST CSF 2.0):
An updated framework providing guidelines for organizations to manage and reduce cybersecurity risks, structured around six core functions that provide a holistic view of the cybersecurity risk life cycle and a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity risk management
International Organization for Standardization 27001 (ISO 27001):
An international standard specifying the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an information security management system (ISMS), helping organizations protect their information assets
Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies (COBIT):
A framework developed by ISACA for IT management and governance, providing a set of controls and best practices to help organizations ensure their IT aligns with business objectives and manages risks effectively
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS):
A set of security standards designed to ensure that all organizations accepting, processing, storing, or transmitting credit card information maintain a secure environment, protecting cardholder data from breaches and fraud
Note: The frameworks listed are key examples and are not an exhaustive list.
Section Summaries
Section 1: Introduction to Cybersecurity
The first eight weeks of this program serve as an introduction to cybersecurity with a focus on fundamental concepts and identity and access management (IAM).
Section 2: Defensive Cybersecurity
The second set of eight weeks focuses on defensive cybersecurity. Take a deeper dive into concepts that include cryptography, security operations center (SOC), incident response (IR), secure systems and network administration, and cloud security.
Section 3: Offensive Cybersecurity
The final set of eight weeks addresses the importance of offensive cybersecurity through topics such as penetration testing, social engineering, artificial intelligence, privacy, regulation and data governance, and operational technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) risk.
Program Highlights
Earn a certificate and 36 continuing education units (CEUs) from MIT xPRO
Receive insights and case studies from renowned MIT faculty
Learn real-world cybersecurity strategies and frameworks used by industry leaders
Submit a capstone presentation to showcase your expertise to potential employers or stakeholders
Gain a great foundation toward a degree or certification in cybersecurity
Program Topics
Whether you are launching your IT career, expanding into a new field, or advancing your expertise, this comprehensive program equips you with deep conceptual knowledge of both offensive and defensive cybersecurity strategies.
Week 1: Introduction to Cybersecurity Risk Management
Week 2: Cybersecurity Foundation Concepts
Week 3: Federal Government Role: Law, Operations, and Standards
Week 4: Threats and Vulnerabilities
Week 5: Cybersecurity for Critical Urban Infrastructure
Week 6: Identity and Access Management (IAM) Concepts
Week 7: IAM Layers and Technology
Week 8: Preparing for a Job in Cybersecurity Risk Management
Week 9: Introduction to Defensive Cybersecurity
Week 10: Cryptography
Week 11: Security Operations Center (SOC)
Week 12: Incident Response (IR)
Week 13: Secure Systems Administration
Week 14: Secure Network Administration
Week 15: Cloud Security
Week 16: Preparing for a Job in Cybersecurity Operations
Week 17: Introduction to Offensive Cybersecurity
Week 18: Penetration Testing Part 1
Week 19: Penetration Testing Part 2
Week 20: Social Engineering
Week 21: Artificial Intelligence
Week 22: Policy and Privacy, Regulation, and Data Governance
Week 23: OT and IoT Risk
Week 24: Preparing for a Job in Offensive Cybersecurity Operations
Career Preparation and Guidance
Stepping into a career in cybersecurity requires a variety of skills, both hard and soft. This program offers guidance in navigating a career path in tech, including crafting your elevator pitch and providing communication tips. These services are provided by Emeritus, our learning collaborator for this program. The program support team includes program leaders who help you reach your learning goals, and career coaches to guide you through your job search. The program offers career preparation and guidance; however, job placement is not guaranteed.
Emeritus provides the following career preparation services:
Elevator pitch development
LinkedIn profile guidance
Resume/cover letters
Job search navigation
Interview tips and preparation
Salary negotiation
Career exercises focused on launching a career in cybersecurity include:
Job searching and interviewing for cybersecurity positions
Building your personal brand and promoting your skills
Communicating cybersecurity concepts through presentation skills
Program Instructors
Senior Lecturer and a Principal Research Scientist at the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Keri Pearlson is a Senior Lecturer and a Principal Research Scientist at the MIT Sloan School. She previously served as the Executive Director of the CAMS (Cybersecurity At MI...
Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and a member of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at MIT
Dr. Zeldovich is a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at MIT and a member of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. He received his...
John Norris Maguire Professor of Information Technologies, Emeritus, Sloan School of Management, Professor of Engineering Systems, School of Engineering and Founding Director, research consortium Cybersecurity at MIT Sloan (CAMS)
Dr. Madnick is the John Norris Maguire Professor of Information Technologies, Emeritus, at the MIT Sloan School of Management and the founding director of Cybersecurity at MIT...
3Com Founders Principal Research Scientist Founding Director, MIT Internet Policy Research Initiative, MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab
Prof. Weitzner is founding director of the MIT internet Policy Research Initiative and principal research scientist at CSAIL. In addition, he teaches internet public policy in...
Ford Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning, MIT Vice Chair and Co-founder, Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School
Prof. Susskind's research interests focus on the theory and practice of negotiation and dispute resolution, the practice of public engagement in local decision-making, cyberse...
Principal Research Scientist and Leader of ALFA Group at MIT-CSAIL
Dr. O'Reilly's research group, AnyScale Learning for All, develops new, data-driven analyses of online coding courses, deep learning techniques for program representations, ad...
Senior Security Consultant, Security Certification Educator, Lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management, Education: BSISE, MBA, (ISC)² Certifications: CISSP and ISSMP, ISACA Certifications: CISA, CISM, CRISC, CDPSE, Certifications: CBCP and MBCI
Securing information systems is Barbara’s purpose and educating security professionals is her passion.
Barbara Johnson is a Senior Security, Audit and Compliance Management C...
Information Security Officer and Director of Research Computing, MIT Sloan School of Management
Rajiv Shridhar is the Information Security Officer and Director of Research Computing at MIT Sloan School of Management. He leads the team that enables the research of MIT Slo...
Principal Research Scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (MIT CSAIL), Cambridge, Massachusetts
Howard Shrobe is a Principal Research Scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (MIT CSAIL), Cambrid...
Guest Speakers
EVP-CIO for TMST, Inc., New Mexico. Vice Chair for SIM and Founder of the SIM Cybersecurity SIG
Caren Shiozaki is EVP-CIO for TMST, Inc., a mortgage organization in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is also a Senior Fellow with the DivIHN Center of Excellence for digital securit...
CISO for Cass Information Systems
Erica Wilson has over 20 years of IT experience, 18 of which are in the field of cybersecurity. Erica currently serves as the CISO for Cass Information Systems. She has respon...
Lead Security Analyst at Schneider Electric
Ion is a diligent senior cybersecurity professional with a strong technical background in systems engineering and infrastructure management. Ion is passionate about both offen...
Group Information Security Manager & CISO at Ascot Group
Daniel Gorecki is a Group Information Security Manager and CISO at Ascot Group. In this role he manages a global team for information risk management and cyber resiliency for ...
Senior Director of Technical Security for The Paranoids, the Information Security Team at Yahoo
Josh Schwartz is the Senior Director of Technical Security for The Paranoids, the information security team at Yahoo, where he oversees an organization focused on offensive se...
Assistant Director of the Adversarial Security Testing team at Northwestern Mutual
Matt Lange is currently the Assistant Director of the Adversarial Security Testing team at Northwestern Mutual where he leads a team of offensive security professionals accoun...
Assistant Director of the Adversarial Security Testing team at Northwestern Mutual
Keri Chisolm has been working in Information Security for over 20 years. She began her security career as a staff member at the Center for Computer Security Research with the ...
What Our Participants Are Saying
Program Certificate
Get recognized! Upon successful completion of this program, you receive 36 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), a globally recognized measure of professional learning that reflects compliance with international quality standards, and a certificate of completion from MIT xPRO.
This program is graded as a pass or fail; participants must receive 75 percent to pass and obtain the certificate of completion.
After successful completion of the program, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you, at no additional cost, in the name you used when registering for the program. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of MIT.
FAQs
How do I know whether this program is right for me?
After reviewing the information on the program landing page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the program brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions on whether this program is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated program advisor will follow up with you very shortly.
Are there any prerequisites for this program?
Some programs do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the program landing page and in the program brochure. If you are uncertain about program prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at learner.success@emeritus.org for assistance.
What are the requirements to earn a certificate?
This is a graded program. You must complete a combination of individual assignments, quizzes, and a final project. Each component carries a certain number of points, and a cumulative score of 75 percent is required to pass and obtain your professional certificate.
Will I be guaranteed a job upon completion of the program?
The primary objective of this program is to give you the skills you need to be prepared for a job in this field. While eligible participants will receive career coaching and support and may receive introductions to our hiring partners, job placement is not guaranteed.
How much time will I be expected to devote to this program?
Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the “Duration” section and in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.
How will I spend my time in this program?
You will divide your learning time between viewing recorded coding demos, and video lectures, contributing to class discussions, completing assignments, projects, and knowledge checks, and attending optional live sessions with industry experts and program leaders.
How is the program administered? Can the program be accessed any time?
The program is accessed through the custom learning portal. This portal will give you access to all program-related content such as video lectures, assignments, and discussions. Live office hours will be conducted using a webinar tool. The video lectures and assignments are accessible weekly throughout the program. In the event you miss a live session, a recording will be made available.
Do I need to attend live sessions every week?
Faculty video lectures are recorded, allowing you to watch these on your own schedule. However, participation in optional live sessions and discussion boards is highly encouraged. Live sessions will give you the opportunity to draw on the coding experience of our industry-experienced program leaders to answer your questions and help reach your learning goals. The discussion boards are also an integral part of the learning experience, giving you and your peers the opportunity to learn together and receive guidance from the moderators.
Can I download the program videos?
You can download video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. However, the video lectures are only available for streaming and require an internet connection.
How do I interact with other program participants?
You can communicate with other participants through our learning platform. You will be able to form groups based on your interests and location. A direct messaging feature is also available through the platform.
What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?
More than 300,000 learners across 200 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 percent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programs said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded. All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the program delivers the desired learning outcomes the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the program in a cohort-based manner the cost of which is already included in the overall course fee of the course. A dedicated program support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues, or anything else that may affect your learning experience.
How do I interact with other program participants?
Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the program. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.
What is the relationship between Emeritus and MIT xPRO?
Emeritus and MIT xPRO collaborate to create and deliver educational programs. None of these programs are Title IV-eligible.
What are the requirements to earn the certificate?
Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what is required before you enroll. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the “Duration” section and in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programs are designed to fit into your working life. This program is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programs include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the program brochure. Please contact us at learner.success@emeritus.org if you need further clarification of any specific program requirements.
What type of certificate will I receive?
Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, résumé, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile. The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the program, once grading is complete.
Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?
No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
Do I receive alumni status after completing this program?
No, there is no alumni status granted for this program. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.
How long will I have access to the learning materials?
You will have access to the learning platform and all program materials (videos excluded) for 24 months following the program end date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.
What equipment is needed or the technical requirements for this program?
To successfully complete this course/program(me) online, you must have access to a device meeting the minimum requirements, found here. In addition, Microsoft Office or similar product and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts in all programs. Technical programs might have additional tech requirements. Please check the learning platform on the first day of class.
Do I need to be online to access the program content?
Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet and video content is not available for download. You can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. Video lectures must be streamed via the internet and webinars and small group sessions will require an internet connection.
What is the program fee for the program, and what forms of payment do you accept?
The program fee is shown at the top of this page and payment must be made in US dollars only. Flexible payment options, group enrollment benefits, and referral bonus are available. Tuition assistance may be available for participants who qualify. Please contact your program advisor to discuss.
What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another mode of payment accepted?
Yes, you can do the bank remittance in USD via wire transfer. Please contact your program advisor for more details.
Is there an option to make flexible payments for this program?
Yes flexible payment options are available for this program. We partner with loan providers to offer you flexible and transparent loan options. More information about loan financing is available here. Installment payments are also available—; you can find the options here.
Does the program fee include taxes? Are there any additional fees?
Yes, the program fee is inclusive of any taxes with the exception of GST for Singapore residents.
Who will be collecting the payment for the program?
Emeritus collects all program payments, provides learner enrollment and program support, and manages learning platform services.
Are there any restrictions on the types of funding that can be used to pay for the program?
Program fees for Emeritus programs with MIT xPRO may not be paid for with (a) funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008, or similar types of military education funding benefits or (b) Title IV financial aid funds.
What is the program refund and deferral policy?
For the program refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.
Financing Options
We offer several options to help you afford tuition for the Professional Certificate in Cybersecurity Program.
Available opportunities to lower tuition fees include:
Referrals – You and a colleague can each receive USD765 off your tuition when you enroll together. Refer now
Group enrollments – A discount of up to 20% is available for group enrollments. For more information, email group-enrollments@emeritus.org
US Residents
SALLIE MAE*
Fixed repayment, interest-only repayment, and deferred payment options available. Click here to know more
*At the time of loan application, please select ‘Undergraduate students’ when prompted.
CLIMB CREDIT
Immediate repayment, interest-only repayment, and deferred payment options available. Click here to know more
Flexible Payment Options For All
Monthly payments as low as USD1,406 Choose to pay in three or six monthly installments for higher flexibility Click here to know more.
You can opt for any one of the financing options to cover up to the full cost of the program tuition. If you are considering financing your program through one of our partners, the enrollment process can only be completed with the assistance of your program advisor.
Please note that loan applications should be submitted no later than four business days prior to the enrollment deadline due to processing time.
What is Sallie Mae?
Sallie Mae is one of the largest private student loan lenders in the industry.
What is the process to apply for a loan?
Once you’ve applied for your program, you can then apply for a loan with Sallie Mae. When approved, you’ll choose your interest rate and your repayment option and sign the loan documents. The lender will send the tuition directly to your school.
How long will it take until I get a decision?
You can receive a credit result is as few as 15 minutes.
Do I need a cosigner?
If you don’t have a credit history, you will need a cosigner for your loan. A cosigner can be a parent, relative, or any other creditworthy individual. Their good credit history may help you get a loan.
When does loan payback begin?
You can make your first payment about one month after your program starts (fixed repayment or interest repayment) or six months after your program ends (deferred repayment).
How long will I be making payments?
Most loans have a 10-year standard repayment. When you apply for the loan, you will be given more information on the repayment plan.
How do I find out how much my monthly payment is?
You can find your monthly payment on the Monthly Payment Calculator here.
Are there any circumstances that would allow me to put my loan payments on hold?
Delinquency occurs when you fail to pay all or part of your monthly student loan payment. You could be eligible for a student loan deferment, which would allow you to temporarily reduce or postpone payments on your student loans in special circumstances.
Can I pay off my loan early?
There is no penalty for paying your loan off early or paying extra throughout the life of your loan. You have the flexibility to make early payments of fully pay off your loan without prepayment fees.
What is Climb Credit?
Climb Credit is a new kind of student lender.
Climb believes education is an investment and should be treated that way — we partner with schools offering career-focused education, and then provide accessible and affordable loans to attend these schools.
What is the process to apply for a loan?
Simply type your school's name into the search bar after clicking "Apply now" to find a link to the application page. From there, you'll be able to complete our short online application.
You may also have received a link to apply for a Climb loan from your school’s admissions team, or you can find the link on your school’s website or Climb's website. Apply using your laptop, tablet, or phone.
You'll want to make sure you fill out an application for the specific school and program you'll be attending. We link our loans to each course, so your school will know you've been approved for a loan with us and that we'll be sending your tuition to them.
How long will it take until I get a decision?
On average, 4:01 minutes — and just applying will not impact your credit score. We know that your time is valuable, so we’ve kept our application as short as possible.
Do I need a cosigner?
No. Climb only fund loans for students who are attending the program. The program attendee should always be the primary borrower on the application.
During your application, you will have the option to add a co-borrower. If you have a co-borrower with a better credit score that you, adding them to your loan application can potentially help you get approved and/or receive a lower interest rate offer.
If my application is accepted, am I committed to using the financing?
No. Applying for Climb financing is free and comes and carries no commitment until you accept and finalize the loan. The initial application will not affect your credit score, and you are free to decline your loan offer if you change your mind about financing.
What are the terms of the loan?
To view the equation used to calculate your interest and monthly payments, check out this article HERE!
When does loan payback begin?
Depending on your program, we may offer loans with either an initial interest-only period while in class and for a few months after, a full deferral period while in class and for a few months after, or immediate full repayment.
For loans with an interest-only period or immediate full repayment, your first payment is due one month after your loan is funded.
How long will I be making payments?
Climb's standard loan tenor is 36 months, but you can pay any time before that, as there is no pre-payment penalty. You can repay your 3-year loan in 3 years or in 1 day.
Climb's goal is to make sure that your monthly payments stay low and affordable, which is why we give you the option to choose your term length when you apply.
Master’s students can choose between a 2-year or a 3-year repayment term.
Doctoral students can choose between a 4-year or a 5-year repayment term.
How do I find out how much my monthly payment is?
This amount is mentioned in your loan agreement.
Are there any circumstances that would allow me to put my loan payments on hold?
In order not to fall behind on your Climb loan payments, you can request a deferral of payments on your loan. A deferment will allow you to temporarily reduce your monthly loan payment amount.
Can I pay off my loan early?
Absolutely! You can pre-pay your loan, in whole or in part, at any time with no penalties.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Write to us at learner.success@emeritus.org or Schedule a call with one of our Program Advisors or call us at +1 315 640 4846 (US) / +44 141 673 6416 (UK) / +65 3138 2327 (SG)
Flexible payment options available.
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