A new course, “Employee Cybersecurity Awareness in the Age of AI,” has launched on the Coursera platform, delivered by Packt. This timely program addresses the escalating threat landscape shaped by artificial intelligence and aims to equip employees with the knowledge and skills necessary to defend against increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.
The Evolving Threat Landscape
Cyber threats are no longer confined to traditional methods. This course highlights how AI is fundamentally changing the tactics employed by cybercriminals, including the rise of deepfake scams, AI-powered phishing attacks, and the potential dangers of agentic AI. Learners will gain a critical understanding of these new vectors and how to recognize them.
Course Curriculum & Features
The curriculum begins with foundational concepts of AI’s impact on cybersecurity, progressing to explore the risks associated with “Shadow AI” and the secure use of everyday AI tools. Crucially, the course doesn’t solely focus on threats.
It also examines how organizations can proactively leverage AI for defense, utilizing smart detection systems, predictive analytics, and ethical automation. A key feature of this course is Coursera Coach, an AI-powered interactive learning tool providing real-time conversations to test knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen understanding.
Target Audience & Learning Outcomes
This course is designed for employees at all levels – from executives and HR personnel to IT professionals and customer-facing teams – with no prior cybersecurity experience required (though basic digital literacy is beneficial).
Upon completion, participants will be able to identify AI-powered cyber threats, implement proactive security practices, assess organizational AI risk, and contribute to fostering a cyber-aware culture within their workplace.
Cultivating a Human Firewall
The course emphasizes the importance of a reporting-first culture and the role of employees as a critical “human firewall.” It also covers responsible AI use and relevant regulatory frameworks, ensuring learners are prepared to navigate the complex ethical and legal considerations surrounding AI in cybersecurity.