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Cybersecurity Basics

Cybersecurity as a profession is projected to grow much faster than the national average for all occupations.1 Want to break into the field?

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Cybersecurity as a profession is projected to grow much faster than the national average for all occupations.1 Want to break into the field?

This beginner-friendly and asynchronous course will help you jumpstart your cybersecurity career. Engage in an online learning experience tailored to your experience level.

In it, you will learn to think like a cyber pro, at your own pace. Study the key elements of the CIA Triad, cryptography basics, and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today.

Key concepts covered in this course include:

-Cybersecurity

-CIA Triad

-Cryptography

-Plaintext

-Ciphertext

-Encryption

-Decryption

-Cipher

-Key

-Caesar Cipher

-Symmetric encryption

No prior experience or technical installations is required to join or complete this course.

Footnote:

1 Occupational Outlook Handbook: Information Security Analysts. (2022). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. March 14, 2023.

This Try It is offered in support of the Cybersecurity Boot Camp with the University of Adelaide. If you enroll in this Try It, your learner data will not be shared with the University of Adelaide unless you enroll in the Cybersecurity Boot Camp.

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • -recognize the basics and the importance of cybersecurity.
  • -define and apply the cia triad to different scenarios.
  • -examine cryptography basics and how they apply to cybersecurity.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Offers lessons that are beginner-friendly and designed for learners with no prior experience
Introduces the fundamentals of cybersecurity, making it a suitable starting point for those interested in the field
Designed to be flexible and self-paced, allowing learners to study at their own convenience
Emphasizes practical applications by examining the responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals in real-world scenarios
Covers essential concepts such as cryptography, the CIA Triad, and encryption methods
Lacks hands-on exercises or interactive materials for practical application of the concepts

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Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Try It: Cybersecurity Basics. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Try It: Cybersecurity Basics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Information Security Analyst
An Information Security Analyst's work centers around assessing, monitoring, and defending computer networks against potential harm. The position largely deals with mitigating cybersecurity risks, and as a result, building a foundation in cybersecurity basics through this Try It course may prove extremely helpful in one's career progression within this field.
Security Engineer
A security engineer is responsible for identifying and resolving cybersecurity risks within an organization's network and computer systems. In this role, cybersecurity basics are absolutely vital, and this Try It course may help you gain foundational knowledge to prepare for this career path.
Cybersecurity Architect
A cybersecurity architect is responsible for designing and implementing an organization's cybersecurity strategy. They must stay up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity trends and threats, and they must be able to think like a hacker in order to anticipate potential attacks. This Try It course can be useful in your pursuit of a career in this role by providing an overview of cybersecurity concepts that may help you succeed.
Penetration Tester
A penetration tester is responsible for testing an organization's cybersecurity defenses by simulating real-world attacks. This Try It course may be useful in your pursuit of a career in this role as it provides an overview of cybersecurity concepts and how to think like a hacker, which can be valuable skills for this job.
Security Consultant
A security consultant provides advice and guidance to organizations on how to improve their cybersecurity posture. They help organizations identify and mitigate cybersecurity risks, and they can also help organizations develop and implement cybersecurity policies and procedures. Cybersecurity basics are key to this role, and this Try It is a great place to start if you're thinking about a career in this field.
Incident Responder
An incident responder is responsible for responding to and resolving cybersecurity incidents. They must be able to quickly assess the situation, contain the damage, and restore normal operations. This Try It course can help you prepare for this role by providing an overview of cybersecurity concepts and how to respond to cybersecurity incidents.
Malware Analyst
A malware analyst is responsible for analyzing malware to understand how it works and how to stop it. They must be able to quickly identify and classify malware, and they must be able to develop and implement countermeasures. This Try It course may be helpful in introducing you to the basics of cybersecurity and malware that can prepare you for this type of role.
Ethical Hacker
An ethical hacker is a computer security professional who uses their skills to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems. They work with organizations to help them improve their security posture and prevent cyberattacks. This Try It course may be useful in your pursuit of a career in this field, as it provides an overview of cybersecurity concepts and how to think like a hacker, which can be valuable skills for this job.
Network Security Engineer
A network security engineer is responsible for designing and implementing an organization's network security architecture. They must be able to identify and mitigate cybersecurity risks, and they must be able to configure and manage network security devices. This Try It course may be helpful in your pursuit of a career in this field by providing an overview of cybersecurity concepts and how to design and implement network security solutions.
Computer Forensic Analyst
A computer forensic analyst is responsible for investigating and analyzing computer crimes. They must be able to identify, collect, and preserve digital evidence, and they must be able to testify in court. This Try It course may be helpful for gaining some foundational knowledge in cybersecurity concepts which may be beneficial for this career path.
Security Auditor
A security auditor is responsible for assessing an organization's cybersecurity posture and making recommendations for improvements. They must be able to identify and assess cybersecurity risks, and they must be able to communicate their findings to management. This Try It course may be helpful in your pursuit of a career in this field by providing an overview of cybersecurity concepts and how to assess cybersecurity risks.
Cloud Security Engineer
A cloud security engineer is responsible for securing an organization's cloud computing environment. They must be able to identify and mitigate cybersecurity risks, and they must be able to configure and manage cloud security services. This Try It course may be helpful as an introduction to cybersecurity concepts that may be beneficial when seeking this type of role.
Information Security Manager
An information security manager is responsible for overseeing an organization's cybersecurity program. They must be able to develop and implement cybersecurity policies and procedures, and they must be able to manage cybersecurity risks. This Try It course may be helpful in your pursuit of a career in this field by providing an overview of cybersecurity concepts and how to manage cybersecurity risks.
Data Protection Officer
A data protection officer, also known as a privacy officer, is responsible for ensuring that an organization complies with data protection laws and regulations. They must be able to identify and assess data protection risks, and they must be able to develop and implement data protection policies and procedures. This Try It course may be helpful in your pursuit of a career in this field as it provides an overview of cybersecurity concepts and how to protect data.
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity analysts monitor and investigate cybersecurity threats and incidents. They work to protect an organization's computer networks and data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This Try It course can serve as a strong starting point in your pursuit of this career path, by providing essential cybersecurity fundamentals that will contribute to your success.

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Try It: Cybersecurity Basics.
Provides a deep dive into cryptography, covering topics such as encryption algorithms, key management, and cryptanalysis. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the technical aspects of cryptography.
Provides a comprehensive overview of cryptography and network security, covering topics such as encryption algorithms, network protocols, and security vulnerabilities. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the technical aspects of cybersecurity.
Provides a comprehensive overview of cryptography, covering topics such as encryption algorithms, key management, and cryptanalysis. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the technical aspects of cryptography.
Provides a practical guide to hacking, covering topics such as network reconnaissance, vulnerability assessment, and exploitation. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the technical aspects of hacking.
Provides a comprehensive guide to web application security, covering topics such as web application vulnerabilities, attack techniques, and security best practices. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the security of web applications.
Provides a comprehensive overview of computer security, covering topics such as security models, access control, and malware. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the principles and practices of computer security.
Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud security, covering topics such as cloud security architecture, cloud security controls, and cloud security best practices. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the security of cloud computing.
Provides a comprehensive overview of network security, covering topics such as network protocols, security vulnerabilities, and security measures. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the technical aspects of network security.
Provides a unique perspective on cybersecurity, focusing on the human element of security. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the psychology of security and how to protect against social engineering attacks.
Provides a gentle introduction to cybersecurity, covering topics such as network security, malware, and social engineering. It useful resource for beginners who want to learn more about the basics of cybersecurity.

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