Try It: Cybersecurity Basics from edX

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 Western Australia. If you enroll in this Try It, your learner data will not be shared with the University of Western Australia 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.

-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

Introduces learners to the fast-growing cybersecurity field

Offers both beginners and intermediate learners an entry point into cybersecurity

Focuses on the core elements of cybersecurity, including the CIA Triad and cryptography basics

Taught by instructors from the University of Western Australia, a research-intensive university with a strong reputation in computer science

Includes key concepts and terminology relevant to cybersecurity professionals

Provides a stepping stone for learners interested in enrolling in the Cybersecurity Boot Camp with the University of Western Australia

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Try It: Cybersecurity Basics with these activities:

Gather and review course materials

Show steps

Having all the necessary materials at the beginning of the course will contribute to a smoother and more efficient learning experience.

Show steps

Review the course syllabus
Download or print the course materials
Organize the materials in a binder or folder
Review the materials regularly

Review and research basic cybersecurity concepts

Show steps

Use this time to review basic concepts reviewed in high school or introductory cybersecurity course to refresh your memory and get a better understanding.

Browse courses on Cybersecurity

Show steps

Examine glossary terms in cybersecurity
Research different types of cybersecurity and their applications in the real world

Cryptography and Network Security

Show steps

This comprehensive guide strengthens your foundation of essential concepts and their applications in network security.

View Computer Security: Principles and Practice PDF... on Amazon

Show steps

Read and understand the concepts of cryptography and network security.
Solve the exercises and practice questions to reinforce your understanding.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Install and configure a virtual private network (VPN)

Show steps

Gain hands-on experience by setting up a VPN on your own device. This will help you better understand the practical applications of cybersecurity.

Browse courses on Cybersecurity

Show steps

Choose a VPN provider
Install the VPN software on your device
Configure the VPN settings

Decrypt data using multiple methods

Show steps

Further familiarize yourself with the process of decryption and the various methods used to achieve it. This practice will reinforce the steps and techniques you learn in the course.

Browse courses on Cryptography

Show steps

Practice decrypting data using Caesar cipher
Practice decrypting data using symmetric encryption

Volunteer at a cybersecurity organization

Show steps

Gain practical experience and build your network by volunteering at a cybersecurity organization.

Browse courses on Cybersecurity

Show steps

Identify cybersecurity organizations that offer volunteer opportunities
Apply for a volunteer position
Participate in volunteer activities

Attend a cybersecurity conference

Show steps

Exposes you to industry experts, cutting-edge research, and the latest trends in cybersecurity

Browse courses on Cybersecurity

Show steps

Research and identify relevant conferences
Register and attend the conference
Take notes and engage in discussions
Follow up with speakers and attendees

Develop a cybersecurity incident response plan

Show steps

Create a plan that outlines the steps you would take in the event of a cybersecurity incident. This will help you learn how to think like a cybersecurity professional and develop your decision-making skills.

Browse courses on Cybersecurity

Show steps

Identify the potential cybersecurity threats to your organization
Develop a step-by-step plan for responding to each type of threat
Test your plan by conducting a cybersecurity drill

Career center

Learners who complete Try It: Cybersecurity Basics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Network Administrator

Network Administrators install, configure, and maintain computer networks. They work to ensure that networks are running smoothly and securely. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Network Administrator because it provides a foundation in cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad, cryptography, and encryption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst is responsible for protecting an organization's computer systems and networks from cyberattacks. They work to identify vulnerabilities in systems and develop and implement security measures to prevent unauthorized access, theft, or damage to data. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become an Information Security Analyst because it provides a foundation in cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad, cryptography, and encryption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators install, configure, and maintain computer systems and networks. They work to ensure that systems are running smoothly and securely. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Systems Administrator because it provides a foundation in cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad, cryptography, and encryption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator

Security Analyst

Security Analysts monitor and analyze security systems to identify and respond to cyberattacks. They work to detect and investigate security incidents and develop and implement security measures to prevent future attacks. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Security Analyst because it provides a foundation in cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad, cryptography, and encryption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Network Security Engineer

Network Security Engineers design, implement, and manage security systems to protect networks from cyberattacks. They work to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in networks and develop and implement security measures to prevent unauthorized access, theft, or damage to data. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Network Security Engineer because it provides a foundation in cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad, cryptography, and encryption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer

Security Consultant

Security Consultants assess and advise organizations on how to protect themselves from cyberattacks. They work with clients to identify their security needs and develop and implement security solutions that meet those needs. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Security Consultant because it provides a foundation in cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad, cryptography, and encryption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Consultant

Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst

Cyber Threat Intelligence Analysts collect and analyze information about cyber threats to identify and mitigate risks to organizations. They work to identify and track threat actors, develop and implement threat intelligence reports, and provide guidance to organizations on how to protect themselves from cyberattacks. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst because it provides a foundation in cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad, cryptography, and encryption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst

Incident Responder

Incident Responders investigate and respond to cyberattacks. They work to identify the source of an attack, contain the damage, and recover systems to their normal state. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become an Incident Responder because it provides a foundation in cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad, cryptography, and encryption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Incident Responder

Cybersecurity Engineer

Cybersecurity Engineers design, implement, and manage security systems to protect networks, computers, and data from cyberattacks. They work to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in systems and develop and implement security measures to prevent unauthorized access, theft, or damage to data. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Cybersecurity Engineer because it provides a foundation in cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad, cryptography, and encryption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Engineer

Cloud Security Engineer

Cloud Security Engineers design, implement, and manage security systems to protect cloud environments from cyberattacks. They work to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in cloud environments and develop and implement security measures to prevent unauthorized access, theft, or damage to data. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Cloud Security Engineer because it provides a foundation in cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad, cryptography, and encryption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Engineer

Digital Forensics Analyst

Digital Forensics Analysts investigate and analyze digital evidence to identify and recover evidence of cybercrimes. They work to identify and collect digital evidence, analyze evidence to identify patterns and trends, and provide expert testimony in court. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Digital Forensics Analyst because it provides a foundation in cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad, cryptography, and encryption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Forensics Analyst

Penetration Tester

Penetration Testers evaluate the security of computer systems and networks to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. They work to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in systems and develop and implement security measures to prevent unauthorized access, theft, or damage to data. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Penetration Tester because it provides a foundation in cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad, cryptography, and encryption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

Malware Analyst

Malware Analysts analyze malware to identify its capabilities and develop and implement countermeasures. They work to identify and reverse engineer malware, develop and implement malware detection and prevention systems, and provide guidance to organizations on how to protect themselves from malware attacks. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Malware Analyst because it provides a foundation in cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad, cryptography, and encryption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Malware Analyst

Security Architect

Security Architects design and implement security systems to protect organizations from cyberattacks. They work with clients to assess their security needs and develop and implement security solutions that meet those needs. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Security Architect because it provides a foundation in cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad, cryptography, and encryption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Architect

Cryptographer

Cryptographers develop and implement cryptographic algorithms and protocols to protect information from unauthorized access, theft, or damage. They work to design and implement cryptographic systems that are secure and efficient. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Cryptographer because it provides a foundation in cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad, cryptography, and encryption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cryptographer