VOOZH about

URL: https://www.coursera.org/learn/microsoft-introduction-to-computers-and-operating-systems-and-security

⇱ Introduction to Computers and Operating Systems and Security | Coursera


Introduction to Computers and Operating Systems and Security

Keep adding new skills with 10,000+ programs for $239 (usually $399). Save now.

Introduction to Computers and Operating Systems and Security

Included with

Ask Coursera

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

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

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Recently updated!

May 2026

Assessments

16 assignments

Taught in English

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Microsoft Foundations of Cybersecurity, Networking, and Cloud Systems Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • 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 videosTotal 78 minutes
  • Introduction to the program: Microsoft cybersecurity analyst 5 minutes
  • Introduction to the course: Introduction to computers and operating systems and security4 minutes
  • A day in the life6 minutes
  • Welcome to Generative AI for everyone6 minutes
  • Understanding the Capabilities of Generative AI for Business Functions9 minutes
  • Generative AI - Under the hood8 minutes
  • The potential pitfalls and shortcomings of GEN AI6 minutes
  • Threat landscape overview5 minutes
  • Linked threats5 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 systems7 minutes
  • Module summary: Introduction to computers and operating systems3 minutes
16 readingsTotal 160 minutes
  • Course syllabus10 minutes
  • How to be successful in this course10 minutes
  • How to open an image in a new tab10 minutes
  • How to locate your downloaded files10 minutes
  • Additional resources: Microsoft cybersecurity analyst 5 minutes
  • Generative AI Terminology10 minutes
  • Generative AI in Business10 minutes
  • Threat stats10 minutes
  • Exercise: Explaining the threat landscape30 minutes
  • Exemplar: Explaining the threat landscape10 minutes
  • Additional resources: Threat landscape 5 minutes
  • Hardware versus software10 minutes
  • Additional resources: Introduction to computing devices5 minutes
  • Types of operating systems10 minutes
  • Proprietary and open-source software10 minutes
  • Additional resources: Operating systems5 minutes
6 assignmentsTotal 100 minutes
  • Module quiz: Introduction to computers and operating systems30 minutes
  • General Knowledge Quiz15 minutes
  • Self-review: Explaining the threat landscape10 minutes
  • Knowledge check: Elements of the threat landscape15 minutes
  • Knowledge check: Introduction to computing devices15 minutes
  • Knowledge check: Operating systems15 minutes
2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes
  • Meet and greet10 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 videosTotal 37 minutes
  • Infrastructure and Servers6 minutes
  • Risk mitigation: Backup frequency6 minutes
  • What are computing environments?6 minutes
  • Security in computing environments6 minutes
  • What is maintenance and patching?6 minutes
  • Patch management: pros, cons, and challenges4 minutes
  • Module summary: Enterprise systems and security5 minutes
8 readingsTotal 75 minutes
  • Types of servers, storage, and backups10 minutes
  • Additional resources: Servers, storage and backup10 minutes
  • Traditional versus cloud computing environments10 minutes
  • Security in computing environments in depth10 minutes
  • Additional resources: Computing environments10 minutes
  • Types of maintenance10 minutes
  • Vulnerability management10 minutes
  • Additional resources: Maintenance and patching5 minutes
4 assignmentsTotal 75 minutes
  • Module quiz: Enterprise systems and security30 minutes
  • Knowledge check: Servers, storage and backup15 minutes
  • Knowledge check: Computing environments15 minutes
  • Knowledge check: Maintenance and patching15 minutes
1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes
  • Storage and security needs for enterprise versus home users10 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 videosTotal 43 minutes
  • What is business software?5 minutes
  • A day in the life of a business computer5 minutes
  • How email changed the world5 minutes
  • Email app functions5 minutes
  • Growing your knowledge on storage 5 minutes
  • Processing data 4 minutes
  • Machine Learning and data5 minutes
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning4 minutes
  • Module Summary: Business systems applications5 minutes
10 readingsTotal 115 minutes
  • Common business software10 minutes
  • Exercise: Business software30 minutes
  • Exemplar: Business software10 minutes
  • Computers under pressure10 minutes
  • Additional resources: Business software5 minutes
  • Email security functions10 minutes
  • Additional resources: Email apps10 minutes
  • Data warehousing and data lakes  10 minutes
  • Machine learning in action10 minutes
  • Additional resources: Storage solutions10 minutes
5 assignmentsTotal 85 minutes
  • Module quiz: Business systems applications30 minutes
  • Self review: Business software10 minutes
  • Knowledge check: Business software15 minutes
  • Knowledge check: Email apps15 minutes
  • Knowledge check: Storage solutions15 minutes
1 discussion promptTotal 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 videoTotal 4 minutes
  • Course recap: Introduction to computers and operating systems and security4 minutes
1 readingTotal 10 minutes
  • About the final course assessment10 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 90 minutes
  • Course quiz: Introduction to computers and operating systems, and security90 minutes
1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes
  • Reflect on learning10 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

343 Courses2,617,428 learners

Why people choose Coursera for their career

👁 Image

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
👁 Image

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
👁 Image

Larry W.

Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
👁 Image

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

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.

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.

It typically takes 6 months to complete the 9 courses. But some learners may go through the content faster.

When you complete, you’ll  have an understanding of the fundamental concepts of cybersecurity and how they apply to an enterprise environment including:

The ability to evaluate cybersecurity risks and implement threat mitigation strategies.

The skills to design a secure network model and a suitable incident response plan for an enterprise.

Insight into how to use Microsoft cybersecurity software products, and the measures that can be implemented to protect an enterprise from cyber threats.

Cybersecurity analysts defend an organization’s hardware, software, and networks from cyberattacks, theft, loss, and unauthorized access. As part of a team, you monitor systems, evaluate threats, and develop and implement strategies to mitigate the risk of cyberattacks.

Build job-ready skills for an in-demand career in the field of cybersecurity. The cybersecurity skills you learn in this program prepare you for an entry-level role as a cybersecurity analyst. This program also prepares you for entry-level roles in information security, security compliance, and identity and access management sectors.

This course is completely online. You can access your lessons, readings, and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

We highly recommend taking the courses of each certificate program in the order they are presented. The content in the courses builds on information from earlier courses. The final course contains a practice exam that assesses your knowledge of the content covered in the previous courses. As such, it makes the most sense to take the courses in the order they are presented.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Financial aid available,