The Introduction to Cybersecurity course is a standalone, part-time program designed for individuals looking to build a strong foundation in cybersecurity. This hands-on course covers essential cybersecurity concepts, tools, and techniques used to identify, analyze, and mitigate security threats. Participants will engage in practical projects, gaining experience with industry-standard tools such as Nmap, Wireshark, and BurpSuite while learning core security methodologies.
The Introduction to Cybersecurity course is a standalone, part-time program designed for individuals looking to build a strong foundation in cybersecurity. This hands-on course covers essential cybersecurity concepts, tools, and techniques used to identify, analyze, and mitigate security threats. Participants will engage in practical projects, gaining experience with industry-standard tools such as Nmap, Wireshark, and BurpSuite while learning core security methodologies.
This program serves as an entry point for individuals aspiring to enter the field of cybersecurity or professionals looking to enhance their understanding of security principles. It is also the first trimester of the Cybersecurity Specialization Program, allowing participants to seamlessly transition to the full specialization if desired.
Course Objectives
By completing this course, participants will:
- Understand fundamental cybersecurity concepts, including network security, web vulnerabilities, and cryptographic principles.
- Develop practical skills in reconnaissance techniques, vulnerability identification, and security assessment.
- Gain proficiency with essential cybersecurity tools such as Nmap, Wireshark, and BurpSuite.
- Learn the basics of ethical hacking, including offensive vs. defensive security strategies.
- Explore digital forensic methodologies and ethical considerations in cybersecurity.
Expected Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will:
- – Be able to conduct basic security assessments and vulnerability scans.
- – Understand key security threats and mitigation techniques.
- – Have hands-on experience with reconnaissance, packet analysis, and web security testing.
- – Develop a foundational knowledge of cybersecurity tools and techniques.
- – Be prepared to continue into more advanced cybersecurity training or specialization.
Background Requirements
To ensure success in this course, participants should have:
- – Basic Computer Skills: Familiarity with operating systems, file systems, and basic command-line usage.
- – Networking Fundamentals (Recommended): Understanding of IP addressing, protocols, and networking concepts is helpful but not required.
- – Problem-Solving Mindset: Cybersecurity requires analytical thinking and an investigative approach to identifying threats.
- – Eagerness to Learn: No prior cybersecurity experience is necessary, but a willingness to explore and experiment is essential.
This course is ideal for IT professionals, students, and anyone interested in learning cybersecurity fundamentals in a structured, hands-on environment.
6 Months (Part-Time)
Project-Oriented, Hands-On Approach
Month 1
Month 2
Month 3
Month 4
Month 5
Month 6
Month 1
- Introduction to Cyber Security:
An overview of cybersecurity’s importance, key concepts, and the threat landscape, preparing participants for deeper exploration. - Networking Introduction – Reading:
Guided reading to understand basic networking principles, protocols, and their role in cybersecurity. - Linux Security Basics:
Practical sessions on Linux system security, emphasizing secure configurations and permissions. - Passive Reconnaissance:
Techniques for gathering information about targets without direct interaction, using open-source intelligence tools.
Month 2
- Active Reconnaissance:
Hands-on projects focusing on interacting with systems to identify vulnerabilities and gather critical information - Packets and Frames – Reading:
Exploration of network packets and data frames, emphasizing their relevance in threat analysis. - Nmap Live Host Discovery:
Practical usage of Nmap to scan networks, discover live hosts, and identify potential vulnerabilities. - Wireshark Basics:
Introduction to Wireshark for network traffic analysis, enabling participants to detect anomalies.
Month 3
- Web Fundamentals:
A detailed study of web technologies and protocols, forming the basis for understanding web application vulnerabilities. - OWASP Top 10:
Analysis of the ten most critical web application security risks, with hands-on demonstrations. - BurpSuite – Fundamentals:
An introduction to using BurpSuite for web application security testing, including proxy and scanner functionalities.
Month 4
- SQL, noSQL Injection:
Projects centered on identifying and exploiting injection vulnerabilities in SQL and NoSQL databases. - Content Discovery:
Techniques for discovering hidden files, directories, and content on web servers to identify potential vulnerabilities. - Upload Vulnerabilities:
Exploration of file upload mechanisms and common security pitfalls, with projects to demonstrate exploitation.
Month 5
- Mandatory Access Control:
Study of access control systems like SELinux, emphasizing policy creation and enforcement. - Permissions, SUID & SGID:
Understanding file permissions and special access rights in Linux, with emphasis on secure configurations. - Mandatory Access Control:
Study of access control systems like SELinux, emphasizing policy creation and enforcement.
Month 6
- Protocols and Servers:
Projects exploring common protocols and server configurations, identifying security weaknesses. - Offensive vs Defensive Security:
Discussion-based projects comparing strategies and tools for offensive and defensive cybersecurity. - Forensic Ethics & Methodologies:
Introduction to forensic principles, emphasizing ethical considerations and systematic approaches to digital investigations.
