Which Programming Language Should I Learn for Cybersecurity?

Learning a programming language for cybersecurity can be a good way to gain skills in an in-demand field. Some common languages you may use in cybersecurity include Python, PowerShell, Structured Query Language (SQL), JavaScript, and Java. To help you begin, you can explore resources online such as courses, tutorials, and certification programs. 

Explore the factors that can help you decide which programming language to learn for cybersecurity, and learn how cybersecurity professionals use languages like Python, Java, and JavaScript to protect data and information technology (IT) systems. If you’re ready to start learning, consider enrolling in IT Fundamentals for Cybersecurity Specialization, where you’ll learn concepts around cybersecurity tools and processes, system administration, operating system and database vulnerabilities, types of cyber attacks, and networking basics.

Do I need to learn programming for cybersecurity? 

Cybersecurity professionals are in short supply all around the world. A recent research study suggests that companies worldwide are experiencing a shortage of 4.8 million cybersecurity professionals in 2024, a number growing at a rapid rate from 4 million in 2023 and 3.4 million in 2022 [1]. You may start a career in cybersecurity without knowing a programming language, particularly for entry-level positions. As you gain experience, you may acquire technical skills like programming to help you advance in the field. 

Not all cybersecurity professionals need to learn programming, although programming is a crucial component of some areas of cybersecurity. Particularly in entry-level jobs, you may not need to know programming to start a career in the field. You can also work in roles with more responsibility without programming knowledge. For example, you could work as a cybersecurity manager helping to direct cybersecurity teams, and you may not use programming in your daily role. In other positions, such as a penetration tester, using programming languages will be a larger part of your role. Other cybersecurity jobs where you may use programming languages on a regular basis include the roles of a cybersecurity engineer, digital forensic analyst, or incident responder. 

Factors to consider when choosing cybersecurity programming languages

One of the first factors to consider when deciding which programming language to learn for cybersecurity is your level of experience and knowledge of coding. Some languages are easier than others for beginners to learn, while more advanced languages can help you use specific tools or functions that may appeal to you more than tools using beginner-friendly languages. 

You will also need to think about the tools and operating systems you’ll be using in your job role. For example, SQL is a language you’ll use to communicate with databases. In some career roles, you’ll work heavily with databases, while in others, you may focus on the security of other components. 

Compatibility is another important factor for choosing a programming language. The language you need may depend on the operating systems, software, and other tools your team uses to conduct cybersecurity tasks. You can choose from different programming languages to learn, but five of the most common languages for cybersecurity include Python, PowerShell, Java, JavaScript, and SQL. Each of these languages has advantages and challenges for applications like security in the software development life cycle, automation, scripting, and security analysis.

Which cybersecurity roles need programming skills?

Some of the cybersecurity positions that regularly require programming include ethical hacker, penetration tester, cybersecurity consultant, and malware analyst. Explore these roles and how you can apply your programming skills in each:

• Ethical hacker: In the role of an ethical hacker, you will typically test your organization’s security for vulnerabilities and make improvements where necessary. You’ll need to read code in order to understand whether programs pose a threat, and with a strong programming background, you can create your own tools to aid in the process.

• Penetration tester: As a type of ethical hacker, a penetration tester focuses exclusively on testing an organization’s security environment and providing feedback and suggestions based on results. You can use your programming skills to help identify coding errors that contribute to a system’s security flaws.

• Cybersecurity consultant: This is another role in which you’ll assess threats and design protections against them, so you will need proficiency in programming languages such as JavaScript, Python, C, and C++.

• Malware analyst: As a malware analyst, you will analyze malicious software like viruses, ransomware, and spyware, and help neutralize their threats. Your knowledge of programming languages, such as C, C++, Perl, and PHP, can help you analyze the code behind the malware.

Which programming language should I learn for cybersecurity?

The best programming language to learn for cybersecurity will depend on the job role you want, the technology you use, and your experience with programming. Explore five popular options for cybersecurity programming languages, including Python, PowerShell, Java, JavaScript, and SQL. 

With the exception of PowerShell, these also represent some of the programming languages that developers across the industry use most often [2]. In 2024, 62.3 percent of developers across the entire industry used JavaScript, while 51 percent used Python and SQL, and 30.3 percent used Java [2]. PowerShell is used less often (13.8 percent) because it’s a specialized language for working on the command line [2].

Python

Python is a versatile language with a large number of applications across industries like software and web development, data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), finance, video games, and education, among other uses. 

When it comes to cybersecurity, you can use Python for analyzing threats, automating threat detection, and developing custom tools for your security operations. Python has an intuitive syntax, making it more similar to natural language than some other, more technical programming languages. This, along with the many ways you can use it and the robust community support behind Python tools, makes Python a popular choice for beginners. 

You may start learning Python with tutorials, Python documentation, online games and activities, and online courses. A few resources that may help you learn Python include: 

• Crash Course on Python

• Python for Cybersecurity Specialization

• Automate Cybersecurity Tasks with Python

• Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate

Java

Developed over 30 years ago, Java has adapted as technology changed to remain one of the most relevant coding languages you can use for games, cloud computing, data analysis, AI, and the Internet of Things (IoT). For cybersecurity, you might choose Java to build security tools or develop secure software because it offers strong security features and additional resources like frameworks and libraries for secure development. You can use Java for many purposes, though it can be more difficult to learn than Python because the code is more complex and less like a natural language. You may still decide to start with Java since you can use it in so many ways and because it allows you to work with a wide number of technologies. 

You can use online resources to learn Java, including courses, videos, online tutorials, documentation, and projects. You might consider online programs, such as: 

• Java Programming and Software Engineering Fundamentals Specialization

• Object Oriented Programming in Java Specialization

• IBM Java Developer Professional Certificate

JavaScript

JavaScript has remained one of the most popular programming languages since its inception in 1995. You may use JavaScript for responsive, dynamic design in web pages using client-side scripting.

 For cybersecurity, you may find it helpful to learn JavaScript to better understand web-based vulnerabilities, as so much of the internet runs on this language. JavaScript also offers a wealth of resources, including frameworks, libraries, and other development tools. As a cybersecurity professional, you may also use JavaScript to develop tools for network monitoring and checking your system for vulnerabilities. 

JavaScript has many resources online that can help you learn to start programming with this technology, including tutorials, practice environments, JavaScript certification, and courses. Potential programs to explore include: 

• IBM Back-end JavaScript Developer Professional Certificate

• JavaScript Security Specialization

• Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate

• Programming with JavaScript

PowerShell

Microsoft’s PowerShell is a scripting language with a command line shell and configuration framework you can use to automate and manage tasks executed in Windows, such as creating users or mailboxes. You can also use PowerShell to manage cloud-based resources or to automate tasks in your continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipeline. As a cybersecurity professional, you can use PowerShell to streamline and automate security tasks like analyzing logs and responding to incidents. 

You may learn more about PowerShell by exploring PowerShell documentation, online training modules, or PowerShell courses. For example, you could enroll in programs like: 

• Hands-on Introduction to Linux Commands and Shell Scripting

• Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User

SQL

SQL is a programming language you can use to interact with databases, making it possible to retrieve, store, update, and otherwise manipulate the data within a database. Many different professionals working in IT interact with databases on some level, including cybersecurity professionals. In cybersecurity, you may use SQL to store security logs in databases and perform analysis on that data, as well as to maintain the security of all the databases your organization uses.

You can start learning SQL with resources online as well, including online videos, tutorials, SQL certificates, and documentation. Explore a few options for learning SQL online, such as: 

• Oracle SQL Databases Specialization

• Introduction to Structured Query Language (SQL)

Learn a programming language for cybersecurity with Coursera

Learning a programming language can help you prepare for technical roles in cybersecurity, with some popular languages including Python, Java, JavaScript, PowerShell, and SQL. You can begin exploring these programming languages and more skills for cybersecurity professionals on Coursera. 

With Coursera Plus, you can learn and earn credentials at your own pace from over 170 leading companies and universities. With a monthly or annual subscription, you’ll gain access to over 10,000 programs—just check the course page to confirm your selection is included. 

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