Online Class: Cybersecurity 101

Venture into the realm of cybersecurity through our holistic course designed for those new to the field, focusing on resilience and agility in the digital era. Equip yourself with essential knowledge on networks, security protocols, and potential cyber threats to become a proficient guardian of digital data.
Self-Paced, Online Class
Fulton County Library System
 
  • 15
    Lessons
  • 23
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 6
    Hours
    average time
  • 0.6
    CEUs
 
 
 

Course Description

Cybersecurity Fundamentals: Safeguarding the Digital Frontier

In an era where the digital realm is deeply intertwined with our daily lives, the value of robust cybersecurity cannot be overstated. It stands as the fortress between our invaluable data and the incessant tide of cyber threats, ensuring the sanctity of our digital identities, assets, and the very fabric of our businesses. It's not just about defending from threats—it's about building a resilient, agile digital world.

Welcome to our comprehensive course on cybersecurity fundamentals—a meticulously designed portal to the world of digital safeguarding. Perfect for novices with an eagerness to delve into the realm of cybersecurity, this course offers a holistic exploration of the field, setting you on the path of becoming a sought-after professional in an ever-evolving industry.

Dive into a plethora of topics that will arm you with the knowledge you need:

  • The Digital Blueprint: Understand the intricate hardware underpinning computer networks and the nuances of network design.
  • Communication Codex: Master the essence of TCP/IP, get acquainted with common TCP protocols, and grasp the significance of port numbers.
  • Wireless Wisdom: Equip yourself with best practices for securing wireless networks and ensuring the safety of remote users.
  • Subnet Savvy: Demystify the realm of subnetting and the principles of network administration.
  • Threat Landscape: From cyberattacks to wireless breaches, application onslaughts to injection attacks—know your enemy, their tactics, and their weaknesses.
  • Social Engineering: Unmask the deceptive world of phishing and its kin, learning how to spot and stop these cunning threats.
  • Test & Triumph: Understand the intricacies of penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and refine your defense mechanisms.
  • Crypto Corner: Embark on the cryptic journey of encryption and cryptography, the coded guardians of our data.

Unlike traditional courses, we ensure a seamless learning experience, free from the hassles of acquiring special software or equipment. While our primary objective isn't to prime you for specific certification exams, we lay a solid foundation upon which you can build, be it for further advanced studies or kickstarting a rewarding career in this crucial domain.

Enroll today and embark on a riveting journey to decipher, defend, and dominate the cyber realm. With every module, you'll be one step closer to becoming the vanguard of the digital world. Join us and be a beacon of security in the vast expanse of cyberspace.

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Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.8 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(1,688 votes)

Lesson 1. Navigating the World of Cyber Threats

As technology becomes an integral part of our lives, cybersecurity emerges as a pivotal discipline to protect sensitive information. This course is designed for novices interested in cybersecurity careers, covering threats and protective measures while setting the stage for more advanced studies. 12 Total Points
  • Lesson 1 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete Assignment: Motives for Taking this Course
  • Assessment: Lesson 1 Quiz

Lesson 2. Cybersecurity Fundamentals: Protecting Networks from Malicious Attacks

Network devices like routers and switches are vital for managing data routes and access within a network, employing strategies like MAC address recognition and traffic management. Basic configurations, such as setting passwords and understanding routing tables, are essential to protect against external threats. 9 Total Points
  • Lesson 2 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 2 Quiz

Lesson 3. Network Management Unveiled: An In-Depth Exploration

Port security, both physical and virtual, is essential to prevent unauthorized access by disabling unused ports and securing access points, ensuring only vetted connections can interact with the network. The 802.1X standard enhances this security by requiring device authentication to prevent rogue devices from connecting. 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 3 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Quiz

Lesson 4. The Intricacies of TCP/IP Protocols and Wireless Network Protection

TCP/IP protocols, like TCP for reliable data transfer and IP for addressing, facilitate internet and private network communications. Static and dynamic IP addressing managed via DHCP maintains organized network systems. 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 4 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Quiz

Lesson 5. Understanding Risk: Policies and Controls Essentials

Risk calculation methods such as MTTR, MTBF, SLE, and ALE enable organizations to quantify potential losses and downtime, guiding decisions on resource allocation and preventive measures. These metrics help in identifying acceptable risk levels and formulating effective response strategies. 11 Total Points
  • Lesson 5 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 5 Activity
  • Assessment: Lesson 5 Quiz

Lesson 6. Navigating the Challenges of Secure System Integration

Before data sharing with partners, delving into privacy implications is key—evaluating the nature of the data, ownership, and data backup responsibilities to prevent breaches and maintain compliance. Regular agreement reviews are essential to ensure legal compliance and prevent any vague terms that might lead to security vulnerabilities or disputes. 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 6 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 6 Quiz

Lesson 7. Essentials of Incident Handling and Digital Investigation

Forensics necessitates capturing digital evidence in the order of volatility to ensure its admissibility in court. 11 Total Points
  • Lesson 7 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 7 Activity
  • Assessment: Lesson 7 Quiz

Lesson 8. Cultivating Resilient Security: Understanding and Training for Modern Threats

Effective security measures require classifying data according to sensitivity (e.g., private, confidential) to control access and reinforce compliance with laws like HIPAA and PCI DSS. Proper data handling and disposal practices are critical to safeguarding against unauthorized disclosure and ensuring data destruction matches its classification level. 11 Total Points
  • Lesson 8 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 8 Activity
  • Assessment: Lesson 8 Quiz

Lesson 9. Malware: Unseen Software Threats

Malware encompasses diverse forms like spyware and rootkits, each aiming to infiltrate systems stealthily to gather data or cripple networks. In parallel, social engineering tactics such as phishing and tailgating manipulate human behavior to gain unauthorized access and information. 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 9 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 9 Quiz

Lesson 10. Cyber Attack Types and Prevention

Mitigation strategies such as log analysis, system hardening, and port security are essential to prevent and respond to various cyber threats. 11 Total Points
  • Lesson 10 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 10 Activity
  • Assessment: Lesson 10 Quiz

Lesson 11. Strengthening Network Defenses: Unveiling Vulnerabilities and Countermeasures

A vulnerability is a network's weak point that attackers can exploit, leading to data theft and operational disruptions. Understanding, identifying, and prioritizing these vulnerabilities with the aid of security assessment tools ensures a secure network environment. 11 Total Points
  • Lesson 11 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 11 Quiz

Lesson 12. Application Security Techniques

Network applications rely on a client-server setup to provide services, while application security is reinforced through methods like fuzzing and error handling. Regular updates and input validation are crucial to preventing threats such as cross-site scripting and request forgery. 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 12 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 12 Quiz

Lesson 13. Beyond Devices: The Essential Need for Data Security in Today's Digital Age

Protecting data requires more than conventional IT security; safeguarding data in motion requires encryption, while securing data at rest involves storing it separately and encrypting storage devices. Proper authentication, permissions control, and educating employees on risks associated with data at use enhance data protection methodologies. 11 Total Points
  • Lesson 13 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 13 Activity
  • Assessment: Lesson 13 Quiz

Lesson 14. Authentication and Access Services

The combination of authentication methods, such as those utilizing passwords, tokens, or biometric data, serves as a first line of defense against unauthorized network access, with systems like RADIUS facilitating secure remote connections. Additionally, access control mechanisms are implemented to meticulously dictate user interactions with resources, employing models like MAC or RBAC to reflect organizational structure and security priorities. 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 14 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 14 Quiz

Lesson 15. Mastering Encryption: An In-Depth Look at Modern Cryptographic Techniques

For data protection, asymmetric encryption uses pairs of cryptographic keys, allowing public sharing while keeping private keys secret, and symmetric encryption relies on a single key passed between parties. Methods like key escrow and recovery agents support data accessibility and prevent data loss. 89 Total Points
  • Lesson 15 Video
  • Lesson discussions: End of Course Poll; Course Comments; Course Comments
  • Complete: Lesson 15 Activity
  • Assessment: Lesson 15 Quiz
  • Assessment: The Final Exam
236
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of various cyber-attack types by summarizing methods like malware, phishing, and SQL injection attacks.
  • Identify common cyber threats and describe their characteristics, including cyber terrorism, cyber espionage, and cyber warfare.
  • Demonstrate the ability to configure a firewall to allow or block specific network traffic based on set rules.
  • Identify and describe the functions of switches, routers, proxies, and load balancers in network security environments.
  • Configure rule-based management systems using 'if-then' conditions to control network access, ensuring protection against unauthorized traffic and potential threats.
  • Define the key components of network administration in larger companies, including firewalls, routers, and switches, and explain their roles in network security.
  • Define the process of the TCP three-way handshake used for establishing a reliable connection and explain its components, including connection establishment, data transmission, and connection termination.
  • Identify and differentiate between IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, explaining their structure, length, and use in networking, including their representation and method of assignment.
  • Define and differentiate among technical, management, operational, and administrative controls in risk mitigation scenarios.
  • Evaluate risk calculation methods, including MTTR, MTBF, MTTF, SLE, ARO, and ALE, to determine the potential impact on network reliability.
  • Identify appropriate policies, such as privacy, acceptable use, and security policies, to effectively reduce organizational risk.
  • Demonstrate the process of securely onboarding and offboarding staff by implementing and evaluating company security protocols and access control measures.
  • Identify and describe the steps involved in establishing agreements that define data sharing terms, responsibilities, and mitigation strategies to protect company privacy and maintain compliance.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Cybersecurity 101
Course Number: 9770499
Lessons Rating: 4.8 / 5 Stars (1,688 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: This course is available online in all U.S. states, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. It’s also offered in English-speaking countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Last Updated: March 2024
CEU Value: 0.6 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Classes
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Syllabus: View Syllabus

Student Testimonials

  • "This course is fantastic! I learned a lot from it, although I know about computers, I was cybersecurity illiterate before this course." -- Gamal G.
  • "This course was great. I liked the vocabulary. There were terms I have heard before but never really understood and this course clarified things for me." -- Sonny T.
  • "This course has enlighten me to understand how important cyber security is, and all the pro's and con's that take part in being secure. I really enjoyed this course. Thank you." -- Phyllis J.
  • "I thought the course was very informative. I learned a lot. Thank you!" -- Lisa K.
  • "This course was very helpful. Learned a lot of things that I did not know." -- Cristina G.
  • "A very good course overall. I knew a lot before the course but definitely learned some new stuff." -- Benny M.
  • "As a beginner in this domain of activity, I found this course easy to understand and very helpful." -- Gabriel C.
  • "I like the course. I have a better understanding of cyber security." -- Danil L.
  • "i enjoyed this class very much." -- Cristina G.

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