Automate Cybersecurity Tasks with Python (Coursera)

You'll start by focusing on foundational Python programming concepts, including data types, variables, conditional statements, and iterative statements. You'll also learn to work with Python effectively by developing functions, using libraries and modules, and making your code readable. In addition, you'll work with string and list data, and learn how to import, parse and debug files.

Google employees who currently work in cybersecurity will guide you through videos, provide hands-on activities and examples that simulate common cybersecurity tasks, and help you build your skills to prepare for jobs.

Learners who complete this certificate will be equipped to apply for entry-level cybersecurity roles. No previous experience is necessary.

By the end of this course, you will:

- Explain how the Python programming language is used in cybersecurity.

- Write conditional and iterative statements in Python.

- Create new, user-defined Python functions.

- Use Python to work with strings and lists.

- Use regular expressions to extract information from text.

- Use Python to open and read the contents of a file.

- Identify best practices to improve code readability.

- Practice debugging code.

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Introduction to Python

You will get an introduction to the Python programming language and how Python is used in cybersecurity. You'll also explore foundational Python concepts including data types, variables, conditional statements, and iterative statements.

WEEK 2

Write effective Python code

You will expand your ability to work with Python. You'll learn about pre-built and user-defined Python functions. You'll also explore how modules help provide access to reusable code. Finally, you'll make your code readable.

WEEK 3

Work with strings and lists

You will learn more options for working with strings and lists in Python, and discover methods that can be applied to these data types. You'll apply this knowledge to write a short algorithm. Finally, you'll use regular expressions to search for patterns in strings.

WEEK 4

Python in practice

You will put Python into practice and focus on automating cybersecurity-related tasks, which requires working with files. You'll be introduced to opening and reading files. Then, you'll learn to parse files and structure their contents. Finally, you'll focus on strategies for debugging code.