Cybersecurity [Fundamentals] Certificate Overview
Protect Organizations from Current and Future Cybersecurity Threats
100% online
6 months
9 Credit Hours
$4,410 Total Tuition*
Learn More Today
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Build the Skills You Need With an Online Cybersecurity Certificate
Get career-ready with up-to-date and practical technologies and methods used daily in cybersecurity. Whether you are switching or just starting your career, this program lays the foundation for you to enter one of technology’s most popular specialties.
The World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 20251 proves what industry leaders already know: qualified cybersecurity talent remains scarce globally. Now is your time to build your skills and become a globally sought-after cybersecurity expert.
Certificate Details
- #1 in Lebanon for Computer Science and Engineering (Shanghai Ranking’s GRAS 2025)
- Curriculum aligned with GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) certification
- Part of the NECHE-accredited Online MS Cybersecurity**
- Taught by leading industry experts
- Flexible pacing: complete in 4-9 months
- Progress to our online MS in Cybersecurity**
More Information About This Program
Click on each tab below to learn additional details regarding the program requirements and features.
Curriculum
Build Core Security Competencies for the Future
3-4 Courses
9 Total Credits
The online cybersecurity certificate program equips you with the fundamental skills you need to start a career protecting digital systems and networks.
Core courses (6 credits):
- Cryptography and Data Security (3)
- Networks Security (3)
Electives:
- AI for Cybersecurity (2)
- Blockchain Systems (3)
- Cybersecurity Law and Policy (1)
- Information Security (3)
- Mobile and Wireless Security (3)
- Networks Programming (1)
- Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Analysis (3)
- Reinforcement Learning (2)
- Secure Software Development (3)
Admissions Requirements
Apply for the online Cybersecurity Certificate Program
Application deadline Approximately two weeks before your intended start
Start date September, October, January, March, May
For detailed information on the admissions process and requirements, see our How To Apply page.
Application deadline: Approximately two weeks before your intended start
Start date: September, October, January, March, May
Start your application today. The process is quick and easy, and you can save your progress as you go. Need help? Contact us for support.
| Online Application Form | Complete your online application. |
|---|---|
| Degree | Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. |
| Transcripts | Official copies of all undergraduate and graduate college transcripts. |
| Experience | You don’t need any cybersecurity or computing knowledge or experience. |
| Additional Requirements |
|
| English Language Proficiency | Applicants from programs where English is not the language of instruction must submit proof of proficiency by passing either IELTS, TOEFL iBT, or Duolingo English Test with the minimum scores respectively of 6.5, 80, and 115, respectively. |
Start now to improve your chances of admission.
Admissions DetailsTuition & Aid
Paying for Your Cybersecurity [Fundamentals] Graduate Certificate
$4,410 Total Tuition*
9 total Credits
Our team is here to help you find the best way to pay for your Digital Marketing Graduate Certificate at LAU. Explore the costs you’ll encounter below.
| Cost per Credit Hour | $552 per credit |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Credit Hours | 9 |
| Total Estimated Tuition | $4,410 |
| Other Costs to Budget For | As well as your course tuition fees, you may have extra costs such as textbooks, supplies, and fees that you should take into consideration when you budget for this Certificate. |
Paying for Your Certificate in Cybersecurity
Proud to offer competitive tuition for our online programs, we currently provide a one-credit discount for this Certificate, giving you a $552 saving. We also accept refer-a-friend discounts, as well as employer reimbursement.
Our admissions team can provide you with full tuition details. While this program doesn’t offer scholarships, our team can help you to explore other funding and aid options. Call us on +1 646 989 1609 for more information.
Corporate Discount Available
Corporate discount for institutions enrolling 3+ students simultaneously:
- 3-5 students: 10% discount
- 6-9 students: 15% discount
- 10+ students: 20% discount
Contact us to learn more about tuition fees and payment options.
Tuition Details
Become an In-Demand Cybersecurity Professional with LAU
Strengthen your cybersecurity skills and prepare for in-demand roles like information security analyst, security engineer, cybersecurity analyst, and more. The LAU Cybersecurity [Fundamentals] Graduate Certificate focuses on applied learning, so you can build practical skills working with actual security tools, analyzing real threat scenarios, and developing solutions to authentic security challenges.
By aligning with GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) standards, the program ensures students gain not only theoretical understanding but also the practical competencies needed to address real-world cyber security challenges.
Are you looking to make a fresh start in a new career or move into a cybersecurity role with your current employer? The academics who designed and teach the cybersecurity certificate are here to support your goals.
Career Opportunities for Online Cybersecurity [Fundamentals] Certificate
Career outcomes depend on circumstances, but entry-level positions in:
- Cybersecurity
- Information and Network Security
- Security Analyst
Technical security positions such as security operations analyst, network security engineer, and security administrator
Analytical and strategic roles such as threat intelligence analyst, security compliance specialist, and security consultant
Specialized technical roles such as penetration tester, vulnerability analyst, and security architect
Independent and consulting work, such as freelance security consultant, independent penetration tester, and security auditor
What You’ll Learn
The courses in the online Cybersecurity program are taught by experienced faculty and designed to provide practical training for IT professionals, exploring up-to-date technologies and methods used daily in cybersecurity operations.
- Cryptography Fundamentals: Learn how to use cryptographic techniques to protect sensitive data and secure communications.
- Network Security: Discover how to configure firewalls, implement VPNs, and defend networks against intrusion and attacks.
- Security Incident Analysis: Develop skills to detect, analyze, and respond to security breaches and cyber incidents.
- Vulnerability Assessment: Learn how to identify security weaknesses and implement appropriate defense strategies.
- Access Control and Authentication: Understand how to implement secure access controls to protect organizational assets.
- Threat Mitigation: Gain expertise in identifying cyber risks and implementing effective countermeasures.
- Industry Best Practices: Learn industry-standard approaches to building layered security defenses.
Program Outcomes
By the end of this program, you will have a good understanding of how to apply core information and network security principles to address real-world cybersecurity challenges. You will also be able to demonstrate both theoretical knowledge and practical skills with industry tools and methods that reflect GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) standards.
In this online program, students will learn to:
- Apply core principles of information and network security, including cryptography, access control, and threat mitigation, to protect organizational assets against cyber risks.
- Analyze security incidents, evaluate vulnerabilities, and design appropriate defense and response strategies using industry-standard tools and methodologies.
- Integrate knowledge of data and network security principles to demonstrate competence at the level expected by the GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) certification.
Faculty Spotlight: Dr Khalil Mershad
Dr Khalil Mershad, Program Lead, Cybersecurity [Fundamentals] Certificate
Dr Khalil Mershad is the Program Lead for the Cybersecurity [Fundamentals] Certificate and brings extensive expertise in cybersecurity, network security, and secure computing systems. He has published more than 50 scientific papers in highly reputed journals and conferences related to computer science and engineering.
Credentials
- PhD in Computer and Communications Engineering, American University of Beirut, Lebanon, 2012
- MSc in Computer and Communications Engineering, American University of Beirut, Lebanon, 2007
- BS in Computer Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Lebanon, 2004
Research Focus
Dr Mershad’s research interests include ad hoc networks, vehicular communications, Internet of Things, data management and availability, parallel and distributed computing, cloud computing, blockchain and educational technology. He also conducts research relevant to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
- 4 – Quality Education
- 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
Publications/Research
Journal
- K. Mershad, “PROACT: Parallel multi-miner proof of accumulated trust protocol for Internet of Drones,” Vehicular Communications, Elsevier, Vol. 36, 100495, 2022. DOI: 10.1016/j.vehcom.2022.100495
- K. Mershad and B. Said, “DIAMOND: A tool for monitoring the participation of students in online lectures,” Education and Information Technologies, Springer, Vol. 27, 2022. DOI: 10.1007/s10639-021-10801-y
- K. Mershad, “SURFER: A Secure SDN-Based Routing Protocol for Internet of Vehicles,” IEEE Internet of Things Journal, Vol. 8, No. 9, May. 2021, pp. 7407-7422. DOI: 10.1109/JIOT.2020.3038465
- K. Mershad, O. Cheikhrouhou, and L. Ismail, “Proof of accumulated trust: A new consensus protocol for the security of the IoV,” Vehicular Communications, Elsevier, Vol. 32, 100392, 2021. DOI: 10.1016/j.vehcom.2021.100392
- K. Mershad, H. Dahrouj, H. Sarieddeen, B. Shihada, T. Al-Naffouri, and M. S. Alouini, “Cloud-Enabled High-Altitude Platform Systems: Challenges and Opportunities,” Frontiers in Communications and Networks, Vol. 2:716265, 2021. DOI: 10.3389/frcmn.2021.716265
Conference
- K. Mershad and B. Said, (2020, November). “A Blockchain Model for Secure Communications in Internet of Vehicles,” ACS/IEEE International Conference on Computer Systems and Applications (AICCSA), Antalya, Turkey, November 1 – 5, 2020.
- K. Mershad and B. Said, (2020, November). “Utilizing Roadside Units and Software Defined Networking to Route Packets Efficiently in Internet of Vehicles,” ACS/IEEE International Conference on Computer Systems and Applications (AICCSA), Antalya, Turkey, November 1 – 5, 2020.
- K. Mershad and A. Hamieh, (2019, October). “Using Internet of Things to Enhance Remote Experiments in Learning Management Systems,” IEEE International Smart Cities Conference (ISC2), Casablanca, Morocco, October 2019.
- K. Mershad, A. Damaj, and A. Hamieh, (2019, October). “Using Internet of Things for Automatic Student Assessment during Laboratory Experiments,” IEEE International Smart Cities Conference (ISC2), Casablanca, Morocco, October 2019.
- K. Mershad, “MQL: Mixed Query Language for Querying MySQL and HBase Databases,” IEEE International Conference on Innovative Trends in Computer Engineering (ITCE 2019), Aswan, Egypt, February 2019.
Career Highlights/Memberships
- Chairperson of the Computer Science Department at the Modern University for Business and Science (MUBS) between 2020 and 2022.
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) member since 2018.
Expert Faculty Committed to Your Success
The academics who designed and teach the Cybersecurity [Fundamentals] Certificate have extensive experience teaching and practicing cybersecurity. The world-leading experts at LAU are here to help you prepare for work or further study in cybersecurity.
Inside LAU Online: Live Demo
Join Dr. Barbar Akle, Provost of Lebanese American University, for a live information session introducing LAU Online. In this 1-hour webinar, you’ll learn what to expect from the online learning experience, see a live VLE demonstration, and have the opportunity to ask your questions during a live Q&A.
Register NowFrequently Asked Questions
Explore our frequently asked questions for in-depth answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us.
The program is delivered by LAU, ranked #1 in Lebanon for Computer Science and Engineering. It is aligned with GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) certification standards and has been designed to meet the needs of top employers and industry bodies.
The program content is a mix of cybersecurity theory and hands-on experience aligned with modern cybersecurity best practices. You will learn market-relevant skills in subjects such as cryptography, network security, vulnerability analysis, and more.
While the curriculum is technical, it has been designed to be accessible to beginners as well as experienced IT professionals. No prior cybersecurity experience is required to enroll.
A cybersecurity professional protects organizations from cyber threats by implementing security measures, monitoring systems for breaches, analyzing vulnerabilities, and responding to security incidents.
Yes, cybersecurity offers varied roles and excellent advancement opportunities, alongside a strong global demand for skilled professionals.
Earnings for cybersecurity professionals vary by experience, location, and specialization. Here are some popular entry-level job salaries and their average annual salaries.
- Cybersecurity Analyst – $81,6801
- Cybersecurity Engineer – $95,2652
- Information Security Analyst – $74,5733
- Security Engineer – $88,1474
Sources
- ERI Economic Research Institute (2026). Cybersecurity Analyst Salary in the United States (2026). [online] SalaryExpert. Available at: https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/cybersecurity-analyst/united-states [Accessed 20 Mar. 2026].
- ERI Economic Research Institute (2026). Cybersecurity Engineer Salary in the United States (2026). [online] SalaryExpert. Available at: https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/cybersecurity-engineer/united-states [Accessed 20 Mar. 2026].
- ERI Economic Research Institute (2026). Information Security Analyst Salary in the United States (2026). [online] SalaryExpert. Available at: https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/information-security-analyst/united-states [Accessed 20 Mar. 2026].
- ERI Economic Research Institute (2026). ISecurity Engineer Salary in the United States (2026). [online] SalaryExpert. Available at: https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/security-engineer/united-states [Accessed 20 Mar. 2026].
Sources and Disclaimers
- Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025. https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Global_Cybersecurity_Outlook_2025.pdf.
- Salary for Skill: Cyber Security https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Skill=Cyber_Security/Salary.
*Program fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change each academic year.
**LAU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). All online degrees offered by the LAU are fully registered in the “Distance Education Format” with the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Admission to the MS program rests on performance achieved during the certificate.