OVERVIEW
Grow Your IT Skill Set with Cybersecurity
Whether you want to advance in your current IT role or explore cybersecurity career paths, WGU’s Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate is built for your next move. Through flexible, online learning, you’ll build essential skills in cybersecurity while preparing for the CompTIA Security+ certification exam.
In this program, you will learn to:
- Identify and mitigate threats and vulnerabilities.
- Design secure architectures and implement security solutions.
- Execute security operations and incident response.
This certificate program is designed for professionals with some IT experience. The skills gained in this program can help you stay competitive in the field as cybersecurity risks increase and entry-level IT work becomes increasingly automated.
Time to Complete
3 months
15 to 20 hours per week
Cost
$1,800
No additional fees
Consists of
2 online courses
8 total credits
COURSES
Cybersecurity Fundamentals Courses
WGU is known for the high return on investment of its programs, and our Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate is no different. We use industry data, employer input, and student feedback to make sure our courses are relevant and effective. These certificate courses provide valuable cybersecurity knowledge for IT professionals who want to expand their capabilities or explore security-based roles.
The certificate is a self-directed, competency-based program that you can complete on your own schedule. We recommend dedicating 15 to 20 hours per week for three months to complete the program successfully.
The 2 courses in this program are:
As an IT security professional, you are expected to implement techniques that secure networks and computers. Security attacks are on the rise and continue to be a concern for organizations worldwide. As a result, competent security professionals are in high demand. A career as an IT security professional will provide you with many opportunities in a variety of industries and organizational environments. This course will prepare you to successfully take the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) certification exam.
Through this course, you will learn fundamental security concepts and gain the ability to compare and contrast different security controls. You will explore the security implications of proper hardware, software, and data asset management. You will also dig into vulnerability management and enhancing security capabilities. All of these skills and more will better equip you as a cybersecurity professional in today’s increasingly technological world.
In today’s interconnected world, it’s becoming more essential for IT professionals to understand how to secure digital assets across different environments. Through this course, you will gain both foundational knowledge and advanced strategies to navigate the complexities of modern cloud and hybrid network security.
You will explore the core principles of secure cloud and hybrid architectures, digging into fundamental concepts and examining effective security management practices. You will also learn about security architectures for hybrid networks. You will study the architectural foundations necessary for robust security, examine advanced security controls that can be used across mixed environments, and explore the need for continuous monitoring and responding effectively to incidents. You will also learn about regulatory compliance within complex hybrid architectures. By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge and skills to progress in your career as an IT professional in cybersecurity.
Why Choose a Certificate?
A WGU certificate puts you on a shorter path to a university credential and gives you specialized skills that today’s employers need most. Built with input from knowledgeable industry partners, each certificate is designed to help you solve workplace challenges while you advance in your current role or launch a new career. And with WGU’s competency-based learning, you’ll progress by demonstrating what you know rather than sitting through set class times.
Earn Stackable Credit
Certificate competency units can stack into certain WGU School of Technology programs, including B.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance and B.S. Cloud and Network Engineering.
Get Personal Support
Our instructors, student success coaches, and career resources team are here to help you complete your certificate and leverage it in your career.
Make a Smart Time Investment
This certificate typically only takes three months to complete, and you can apply the skills you learn right away for an immediate and meaningful impact on your career.
COST
An Affordable Certificate
Your certificate cost covers e-textbooks, learning resources, and program access.
You'll have three months to complete the program at your own pace. If you need more time, your enrollment will automatically transition to a $399 monthly subscription until you’re finished. You can cancel at any time. Although financial aid isn't available, we offer installment plans to make getting started easy.
$1,800
Total cost | No additional fees
Installment Plan
3 monthly payments of $600
HOW IT WORKS
Here's What You Can Expect from This Certificate
- Two credit-earning courses with required performance assessments
- Stackable course credit toward select WGU School of Technology degree programs
- The opportunity to prepare and successfully pass the CompTIA Security+ certification exam as part of your Network and Security Applications coursework
- An enhanced understanding of cybersecurity practices that help protect systems, manage vulnerabilities, and support incident response
- Competency-based learning model that lets you breeze through what you know and focus on what you don’t
- Access to support on study skills, test-taking strategies, time management, and career services
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
6 Months of Access
- Chromebooks are not compatible with the online proctoring service. Therefore, they cannot be used to take proctored final exams.
- This course will require an external webcam. Webcams built into laptops or phones will not meet this requirement.
System Requirements
- Operating System Windows 8 or later; Mac OS X 10.11 or later
- Web Browser Latest Chrome (Preferred), Edge, Firefox or Safari browser
- Cookies Enabled
Your 6-month Term plan
Here's everything you need to know about what you're paying for:
$499
or 6 payments of $658.33
Access period
Your purchase provides you with access to your selected course or program for a 6-month Term. Set a personal goal to complete before that date. If you are unable to do so, that’s okay. If you need more time to complete, you can continue your access with an automatic Extension, billed at $499 per month. You may cancel the Extension at any time.
CAREER OUTCOMES
Real Impact for Professional Growth
As IT environments grow more complex, employers are looking for dynamic professionals who can help protect systems, reduce risk, and support secure operations. This certificate builds practical cybersecurity knowledge you can apply in your current role or use to pursue more security-focused roles, including:
- Computer Network Support Specialist
- Information Security Analyst
- IT Security Technician
- Threat Monitoring Analyst
- Cyber Defense Analyst
- Network Security Engineer
- Malware Analyst
- Cyber Risk Analyst
Get More Information
Cybersecurity is becoming essential in every industry. This certificate covers the foundational security concepts you need to stay informed and advance your career by protecting systems and data, strengthening network defenses, and responding to today’s evolving threats.
Fill out the form to learn more about how the Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate can support your career growth.
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