Professional Certificate in Cybersecurity
Accelerate your career in cybersecurity in 24 weeks, online
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
Executive Director of Cybersecurity at MIT Sloan (CAMS): The Interdisciplinary Consortium for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity at the MIT Sloan School of Management
Dr. Pearlson is the executive director of the Cybersecurity at MIT Sloan: The Interdisciplinary Consortium for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity (IC)3. Pearlson ...
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, MIT xPRO grants a certificate of completion to participants and 36 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). This program is graded as a pass or fail; participants must receive 75% 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
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.
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)
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