Introduction to Computers and Operating Systems and Security
Keep adding new skills with 10,000+ programs for $239 (usually $399). Save now.
Ask Coursera
Recommended experience
Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Identify various components of a computer system.
Explain the way in which computer components interact with an operating system.
Describe the basics of the cybersecurity landscape and various business computing environments.
NEW [optional] introduction to Generative AI
Skills you'll gain
Tools you'll learn
Details to know
May 2026
16 assignments
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Build your subject-matter expertise
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 4 modules in this course
If you're interested in a cybersecurity career but don't know where to start, you've arrived at the right place!
This course forms part of a series of courses that offers a good starting point for a career in cybersecurity. It will help you gain knowledge and skills related to Computers and Operating Systems, Enterprise Systems, and Security, including Business Systems Applications. This course gets you one step closer to the Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate, which requires no degree or prior experience. After completing this course, you’ll be able to: • Identify the various components of a computer system • Explain how the various components of a computer system interact with an operating system • Describe the basics of the cybersecurity landscape • Describe the various business computing environments This is also a great way to prepare for the Microsoft SC-900 exam. By passing the SC-900 exam, you’ll earn the Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals Certification.
In this module, computer basics are explained, including hardware and operating systems. You will also learn where threats to cybersecurity can originate in the computing landscape, and cover a broad overview of how these threats can result in a security breach.
What's included
14 videos16 readings6 assignments2 discussion prompts
14 videos•Total 78 minutes
- Introduction to the program: Microsoft cybersecurity analyst •5 minutes
- Introduction to the course: Introduction to computers and operating systems and security•4 minutes
- A day in the life•6 minutes
- Welcome to Generative AI for everyone•6 minutes
- Understanding the Capabilities of Generative AI for Business Functions•9 minutes
- Generative AI - Under the hood•8 minutes
- The potential pitfalls and shortcomings of GEN AI•6 minutes
- Threat landscape overview•5 minutes
- Linked threats•5 minutes
- What is a computer and what is inside it?•5 minutes
- How does a computer operate?•6 minutes
- What is an operating system and what does it do?•5 minutes
- Popular operating systems•7 minutes
- Module summary: Introduction to computers and operating systems•3 minutes
16 readings•Total 160 minutes
- Course syllabus•10 minutes
- How to be successful in this course•10 minutes
- How to open an image in a new tab•10 minutes
- How to locate your downloaded files•10 minutes
- Additional resources: Microsoft cybersecurity analyst •5 minutes
- Generative AI Terminology•10 minutes
- Generative AI in Business•10 minutes
- Threat stats•10 minutes
- Exercise: Explaining the threat landscape•30 minutes
- Exemplar: Explaining the threat landscape•10 minutes
- Additional resources: Threat landscape •5 minutes
- Hardware versus software•10 minutes
- Additional resources: Introduction to computing devices•5 minutes
- Types of operating systems•10 minutes
- Proprietary and open-source software•10 minutes
- Additional resources: Operating systems•5 minutes
6 assignments•Total 100 minutes
- Module quiz: Introduction to computers and operating systems•30 minutes
- General Knowledge Quiz•15 minutes
- Self-review: Explaining the threat landscape•10 minutes
- Knowledge check: Elements of the threat landscape•15 minutes
- Knowledge check: Introduction to computing devices•15 minutes
- Knowledge check: Operating systems•15 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
- Meet and greet•10 minutes
- What elements of the threat landscape have you been exposed to before?•10 minutes
In this module we consider servers, storage and backups, computing environments, and the process of maintenance and patching, in the context of enterprise systems and security.
What's included
7 videos8 readings4 assignments1 discussion prompt
7 videos•Total 37 minutes
- Infrastructure and Servers•6 minutes
- Risk mitigation: Backup frequency•6 minutes
- What are computing environments?•6 minutes
- Security in computing environments•6 minutes
- What is maintenance and patching?•6 minutes
- Patch management: pros, cons, and challenges•4 minutes
- Module summary: Enterprise systems and security•5 minutes
8 readings•Total 75 minutes
- Types of servers, storage, and backups•10 minutes
- Additional resources: Servers, storage and backup•10 minutes
- Traditional versus cloud computing environments•10 minutes
- Security in computing environments in depth•10 minutes
- Additional resources: Computing environments•10 minutes
- Types of maintenance•10 minutes
- Vulnerability management•10 minutes
- Additional resources: Maintenance and patching•5 minutes
4 assignments•Total 75 minutes
- Module quiz: Enterprise systems and security•30 minutes
- Knowledge check: Servers, storage and backup•15 minutes
- Knowledge check: Computing environments•15 minutes
- Knowledge check: Maintenance and patching•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Storage and security needs for enterprise versus home users•10 minutes
This Module provides an introduction to software in the business context that facilitates the performance of various tasks, enhancing productivity.
What's included
9 videos10 readings5 assignments1 discussion prompt
9 videos•Total 43 minutes
- What is business software?•5 minutes
- A day in the life of a business computer•5 minutes
- How email changed the world•5 minutes
- Email app functions•5 minutes
- Growing your knowledge on storage •5 minutes
- Processing data •4 minutes
- Machine Learning and data•5 minutes
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning•4 minutes
- Module Summary: Business systems applications•5 minutes
10 readings•Total 115 minutes
- Common business software•10 minutes
- Exercise: Business software•30 minutes
- Exemplar: Business software•10 minutes
- Computers under pressure•10 minutes
- Additional resources: Business software•5 minutes
- Email security functions•10 minutes
- Additional resources: Email apps•10 minutes
- Data warehousing and data lakes •10 minutes
- Machine learning in action•10 minutes
- Additional resources: Storage solutions•10 minutes
5 assignments•Total 85 minutes
- Module quiz: Business systems applications•30 minutes
- Self review: Business software•10 minutes
- Knowledge check: Business software•15 minutes
- Knowledge check: Email apps•15 minutes
- Knowledge check: Storage solutions•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Have you ever received spam or malicious emails? What was your experience?•10 minutes
This module provides a recap of the course.
What's included
1 video1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
1 video•Total 4 minutes
- Course recap: Introduction to computers and operating systems and security•4 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
- About the final course assessment•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 90 minutes
- Course quiz: Introduction to computers and operating systems, and security•90 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Reflect on learning•10 minutes
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Instructor
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Frequently asked questions
This program is for you:
If you want to switch or start a career in the field of cybersecurity.
If you are interested in the field of cybersecurity, just beginning to work with cybersecurity solutions and services, or new to Microsoft Azure.
You don’t need any background knowledge to take this Professional Certificate. Whether you’re just starting out or a professional in a relevant field, this program can be the right fit for you.
Whether you’re looking to start a new career or change your current one, Professional Certificates help you become job ready. Apply your new skills on hands-on projects that showcase your expertise to potential employers and earn a career credential to kickstart your new career.
More questions
Financial aid available,
