edX Online

Learn IBM QRadar with online courses and programs

IBM QRadar (SIEM, or security, software) helps organizations proactively detect and respond to security threats and breaches. Advance your cybersecurity know-how and learn IBM QRadar with online courses and programs.

What is IBM QRadar?

IBM QRadar SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) is a centralized security platform that helps organizations safeguard their IT infrastructure. It collects data from various sources, such as event logs, network traffic, and user activity reports, and consolidates them to generate actionable insights. These help security teams manage and respond to external and internal threats.

A unique aspect of IBM QRadar SIEM is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and machine learning to determine the severity of a security threat. These technologies power the platform to quickly analyze security-related data and generate reports that identify the critical threats that need immediate attention.1 Like other SIEM tools, IBM Security QRadar SIEM reinforces an organization’s security posture, ensures compliance with industry regulations, and streamlines IT security operations.

Browse online IBM QRadar Certificates

Find new interests and advance your career opportunities

Stand out in your field

Use the knowledge and skills you have gained to drive impact at work and grow your career.

Learn at your own pace

On your computer, tablet or phone, online courses make learning flexible to fit your busy life.

Earn a valuable credential

Showcase your key skills and valuable knowledge.

Certificates

Related Topics

IBM QRadar tutorial curriculum

Before learners start an IBM QRadar tutorial, they may benefit from having a foundational understanding of IT security. This includes familiarity with SIEM concepts, knowledge of common internet security attack types, and an understanding of network protocol, among other fundamental topics in cybersecurity.

Beginner courses could cover some of the following topics:2

  • Installing the IBM QRadar SIEM software
  • Configuring and managing data
  • Investigating offenses
  • Creating threat reports for a team

Intermediate-level study of IBM QRadar often builds on your knowledge of SIEM and IBM QRadar concepts. You might explore more in-depth topics such as offense and log analysis, attack simulation, and advanced dashboarding and reporting. You can then familiarize yourself with specific modules, including IBM QRadar SIEM Risk Manager and IBM QRadar SIEM User Behavior Analytics.3

Start learning about cybersecurity with edX. edX offers a range of instructional formats to fit different learners’ needs. A boot camp can provide flexible, hands-on learning for those who want to upskill quickly, while executive education courses may be more geared toward professionals. You may also be able to study broader topics related to cybersecurity as part of a bachelor’s degree program or, for more advanced learners, a master’s degree program. Explore the different options made available through edX.

Explore IBM QRadar jobs

Learners who can operate and manage SIEM solutions can apply that knowledge to a wide range of careers, including:

  • Security operations center (SOC) specialist: Monitors and investigates computer network and system security breaches. A SOC specialist could use IBM QRadar to scan for vulnerabilities, identify them based on severity, and provide recommendations for remediation.4
  • IT security coordinator: Protects data from illegal access, theft, and misuse. IBM QRadar can help them proactively run vulnerability scans and use analytics to search for potential threats.5
  • Cyber intelligence officer: Gathers intelligence on IT threats, pinpoints weaknesses in IT infrastructure, and manages threat intelligence databases. IBM QRadar SIEM can help them prepare reports to communicate vulnerability metrics to stakeholders or partner organizations.6
  • Compliance officer: Conducts risk assessments and ensures an organization’s processes meet government regulations. They could use IBM Security QRadar to document compliance metrics and demonstrate alignment with regulatory requirements.7
  • Network administrator: Responsible for the daily maintenance and security of computer systems and communication networks. They could use IBM QRadar SIEM to provide them with real-time alerts for potential security incidents or anomalies so they can quickly troubleshoot network issues.8

To prepare for IBM QRadar jobs, an aspiring QRadar specialist might begin building their knowledge of security threat management through a cybersecurity boot camp. edX offers boot camps on many different topics, such as a coding boot camp, or one on product management and data analytics.

How to use IBM QRadar in your career

If your job is to safeguard your company’s IT infrastructure, you might use SIEM software like IBM QRadar to monitor the system’s security status.

For example, as a threat intelligence analyst, you may use IBM QRadar to identify emerging threats and malicious activities. Your daily tasks may include reviewing the alerts generated by QRadar to address any issues that require immediate attention. Based on these IBM QRadar reports, you may also need to prepare a summary for management or stakeholders with details of any security incidents, mitigation measures, and recommendations to prevent future occurrences.

More opportunities for you to learn

We've added 500+ learning opportunities to create one of the world's most comprehensive free-to-degree online learning platforms.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What query language does IBM QRadar use?

    IBM QRadar SIEM uses the proprietary structured language, Ariel Query Language (AQL), specifically designed to execute complex queries and analyses within the QRadar database. AQL is customized for IBM Security QRadar SIEM to allow security analysts to perform complicated searches and analyze data stored in the database. Users who use AQL can extract, filter, and manipulate data that might not be easily accessible via the user interface.

    What does IBM QRadar do?

    IBM QRadar provides IT security teams with centralized visibility of network security events. As a SIEM tool, it collects and consolidates data from multiple points and then generates a comprehensive security analysis. With IBM QRadar SIEM, IT security administrators and analysts can monitor data in real time, evaluate user behavior anomalies, identify potential cybersecurity threats earlier in the attack cycle, and promptly respond to security threats using resources such as the IBM Security QRadar SIEM Administration Guide.

    Is IBM QRadar a SIEM tool?

    IBM QRadar is a SIEM tool that helps protect organizations from potential cyberattacks. Powered with AI, machine learning, and advanced detection analytics, it quickly identifies Indicators of Compromise (IoC) and Indicators of Attack (IoA). These indicators report unusual network traffic that may suggest an organization has been compromised or is currently under attack. With IBM QRadar, organizations can gain real-time visibility and boost their security posture to quickly identify threat actors and other activities that may compromise their data or harm their systems.

    Is IBM QRadar better than Splunk?

    QRadar and Splunk are both SIEM tools; which one is better will depend on your needs. Generally, IBM Security QRadar is a traditional SIEM tool with features tailored specifically for security teams. In contrast, while Splunk offers SIEM capabilities, it also provides a broader array of features beyond its role as a SIEM tool.

    Who uses IBM QRadar?

    Many companies that use IBM Security QRadar SIEM belong to the information technology and services industry, followed by financial services and computer and network security. These companies are typically large, with more than 1,000 employees.

    Is QRadar software or hardware?

    IBM Security QRadar is primarily software. However, IBM also sells pre-configured hardware appliances optimized to run QRadar SIEM. By design, they are ready to use immediately after installation without additional modifications or customizations.

    1. What is SIEM? (2023). IBM Technology.Retrieved April 18, 2023.

    2. IBM QRadar SIEM Foundations. IBM Training. Retrieved April 25, 2023.

    3. IBM QRadar SIEM Advanced Topics. IBM Training. Retrieved April 25, 2023.

    4. Information Security Analysts. (2022). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved April 28, 2023.

    5. IT Security Coordinator. National Careers Service UK. Retrieved April 28, 2023.

    6. Cyber Intelligence Officer. National Careers Service UK. Retrieved April 28, 2023.

    7. Compliance Officers. (2023). EQS Group. Retrieved April 28, 2023.

    8. Network and Computer Systems Administrators. (2022). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved April 28, 2023.