Cyber Defense: Penetration Testing, Threat Hunting, and Cryptography from edX

The cost of a security breach averages nearly $5M (IBM) and is increasing every year. So, businesses are always looking for professionals who can anticipate threats and prevent them. This IBM Penetration Testing, Threat Hunting, and Cryptography course builds expertise in identifying vulnerabilities, protecting assets, and using AI and cryptography techniques to strengthen an organization’s cybersecurity posture.

During the course, you’ll explore the penetration testing phases and gain practical experience performing software pen testing and scanning code repositories. You’ll also learn to create comprehensive pen testing reports, perform threat hunting, and integrate AI into threat intelligence. Plus, you’ll learn to leverage cyber threat intelligence (CTI) frameworks for effective threat identification. Finally, you’ll explore cryptography, including encryption, decryption, and hashing techniques, while also learning about common cryptographic attacks and cryptanalysis methods.

To complete the hands-on labs and project, you’ll require a laptop or desktop and basic knowledge of networking and cybersecurity.

This course is ideal for existing and aspiring cybersecurity professionals looking to enhance their skills and advance their careers. It is recommended that you have fundamental knowledge of IT systems and cybersecurity principles prior to starting this course.

If you’re looking to build in-demand cybersecurity skills in threat prevention, enroll today! In five weeks, you’ll add penetration testing, threat hunting, and cryptography to your resume.

What's inside

Learning objectives

In-demand penetration and threat-hunting skills, supported by hands-on practice that employers are looking for on a resume.
Hands-on experience applying the principles of penetration testing using tools, such as owasp zap and snyk.

How to create penetration testing reports and integrate ai to perform advanced threat hunting and threat intelligence.
Use cryptography and cryptanalysis techniques such as encryption and hashing to ensure data integrity and confidentiality.

In-demand penetration and threat-hunting skills, supported by hands-on practice that employers are looking for on a resume.
Hands-on experience applying the principles of penetration testing using tools, such as owasp zap and snyk.
How to create penetration testing reports and integrate ai to perform advanced threat hunting and threat intelligence.
Use cryptography and cryptanalysis techniques such as encryption and hashing to ensure data integrity and confidentiality.

Syllabus

Course Syllabus

Module 1: Penetration Testing: Planning and Discovery Phases

Module 2: Penetration Testing: Attack Phase

Module 3: Penetration Testing: Reporting Phase

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides hands-on experience with penetration testing tools like OWASP ZAP and SNYK, which are widely used in the cybersecurity industry

Teaches how to create penetration testing reports, a crucial skill for documenting vulnerabilities and communicating findings to stakeholders

Explores cryptography and cryptanalysis techniques, which are essential for protecting data and ensuring confidentiality in cybersecurity

Presented by IBM, a company recognized for its contributions to cybersecurity and its expertise in threat intelligence and data protection

Requires basic knowledge of networking and cybersecurity, suggesting that learners without this foundation may need to acquire it beforehand

Integrates AI into threat hunting and threat intelligence, reflecting the growing importance of artificial intelligence in modern cybersecurity practices

Reviews summary

Cyber defense: pen testing, threat hunting, & crypto

According to learners, this course provides a largely positive experience, particularly for those with some prior IT knowledge. Students highlight the practical penetration testing modules and relevant threat hunting content, finding the hands-on labs using tools like OWASP ZAP invaluable for gaining practical skills. While the cryptography module is often cited as being too basic or rushed, the course is seen as an excellent way to enhance career-focused cybersecurity skills, though it may be challenging for complete beginners.

Not for complete beginners.

"The course requires basic knowledge as stated, so beginners might struggle a bit. Labs were helpful but sometimes tricky to set up."

"Found this course quite difficult without a strong foundation. The pace was fast..."

"It feels like it's for people already somewhat familiar with these topics, not aspiring beginners as the description suggests."

"It does require prior knowledge, so be warned if you're a complete novice."

Well-structured and explanations are clear.

"The instructor explanations were clear and easy to follow."

"The course structure is logical, building from planning to reporting in pen testing."

"...instructor explanations are excellent."

Covers current industry practices.

"...the content on threat intelligence frameworks and integrating AI was very relevant."

"The sections on threat hunting and CTI frameworks are very relevant to current industry needs."

"Threat hunting was insightful."

Gain valuable hands-on skills.

"The modules on penetration testing were very practical, especially the hands-on labs using OWASP ZAP. I learned so much about identifying vulnerabilities."

"Absolutely fantastic course! ... The labs provided crucial hands-on experience that you don't get from just reading."

"Excellent practical course! The hands-on labs are invaluable. Learning to use tools like OWASP ZAP in a guided environment was great."

"The pen testing parts were strong... The labs are good for applying concepts."

Lacks depth and feels rushed.

"Cryptography felt a bit rushed, but it provided a good overview."

"The course covers important topics, but the depth is sometimes lacking, particularly in cryptography."

"Cryptography was okay, but could be more in-depth."

"Cryptography is the weakest module, feels too basic."

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 Cyber Defense: Penetration Testing, Threat Hunting, and Cryptography with these activities:

Review Networking Fundamentals

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Strengthen your understanding of networking concepts to better grasp penetration testing techniques that rely on network communication.

Browse courses on TCP/IP

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Review the OSI model and TCP/IP suite.
Practice subnetting calculations.
Research common networking protocols.

Brush Up on Linux Command Line

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Improve your proficiency with the Linux command line, a crucial skill for penetration testing and threat hunting.

Browse courses on Bash Scripting

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Practice navigating the file system using the command line.
Learn common commands for file manipulation and system administration.
Write simple bash scripts to automate tasks.

Read 'Penetration Testing: A Hands-On Introduction to Hacking'

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Supplement your learning with a comprehensive guide to penetration testing methodologies and tools.

View Penetration Testing: A Hands-On Introduction to... on Amazon

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Read the chapters related to the current module.
Try out the tools and techniques described in the book.
Compare the book's approach with the course material.

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Follow OWASP ZAP Tutorials

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Master the use of OWASP ZAP, a popular web application security scanner, through guided tutorials.

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Install and configure OWASP ZAP.
Work through the official OWASP ZAP tutorials.
Practice scanning web applications for vulnerabilities.

Practice Cryptography Problems

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Reinforce your understanding of cryptography by solving practice problems related to encryption, decryption, and hashing.

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Find online resources with cryptography practice problems.
Solve problems related to different encryption algorithms.
Practice breaking simple ciphers.

Build a Home Lab for Penetration Testing

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Create a safe and controlled environment to practice penetration testing techniques learned in the course.

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Set up virtual machines with vulnerable operating systems.
Configure a network for the virtual machines.
Practice penetration testing techniques on the home lab.

Write a Blog Post on a Cryptographic Attack

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Deepen your understanding of cryptography by researching and writing about a specific cryptographic attack.

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Choose a cryptographic attack to research.
Write a blog post explaining the attack and its impact.
Publish the blog post online.

Read 'Applied Cryptography'

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Expand your knowledge of cryptography with a comprehensive guide to cryptographic principles and techniques.

View Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms and... on Amazon

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Read the chapters related to the course material.
Take notes on key concepts and algorithms.
Research the latest developments in cryptography.

Career center

Learners who complete Cyber Defense: Penetration Testing, Threat Hunting, and Cryptography will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Penetration Tester

A penetration tester is responsible for simulating cyberattacks on an organization's systems to identify vulnerabilities. This course directly helps in the role of a penetration tester as it provides hands-on experience with penetration testing phases, including planning, discovery, and attack. The skills to perform software penetration testing and scan code repositories, as taught in this course, are crucial for a penetration tester. Additionally, learning to create comprehensive penetration testing reports enables a tester to communicate findings effectively, making this course an ideal starting point.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

Threat Hunter

A threat hunter proactively seeks out malicious activities and vulnerabilities that may evade traditional security measures. The course provides training in threat hunting techniques and the integration of artificial intelligence for advanced threat intelligence. A threat hunter would find the course's study of cyber threat intelligence frameworks essential for effective threat identification. Through this course, one can learn to use the tools and techniques that a threat hunter uses when looking for advanced and persistent threats.

See salaries and explore the career path for Threat Hunter

Vulnerability Analyst

A vulnerability analyst is tasked with identifying and assessing security weaknesses in an organization’s systems. This course directly helps a vulnerability analyst by providing skills in penetration testing, a key method for identifying vulnerabilities. The course's lessons on using tools like OWASP ZAP and SNYK, as well as creating penetration testing reports, are directly applicable to the work of a vulnerability analyst. The exploration of cryptography techniques can also help a vulnerability analyst in identifying weaknesses.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vulnerability Analyst

Security Engineer

A security engineer is responsible for designing and implementing security systems and tools. This course is especially beneficial for a security engineer as it provides skills in identifying vulnerabilities, and using AI and cryptography techniques to strengthen an organization’s cybersecurity. The practical experience from the course in penetration testing and threat hunting helps a security engineer. This course provides hands-on experience that equips security engineers with a broad skillset that allows them to do their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Cybersecurity Analyst

A cybersecurity analyst monitors and protects an organization's digital assets. This course may be helpful to the cybersecurity analyst as it teaches threat hunting and the use of cyber threat intelligence frameworks for identifying potential risks. They can also contribute to the protection of assets using cryptography and cryptanalysis methods, which are also covered in this course. The integration of artificial intelligence into threat intelligence, combined with the course's emphasis on threat prevention, empowers a cybersecurity analyst to better anticipate and respond to evolving cyber threats.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst

Cryptographer

A cryptographer is an expert in the techniques of encryption and decryption. This course is useful to an aspiring cryptographer as it provides a foundational understanding of cryptography, including encryption, decryption, and hashing techniques. Cryptographers are also expected to understand the methods of attacking ciphers and this course delivers instruction on common cryptographic attacks and cryptanalysis methods. The course serves as a strong introduction to a cryptographer's field. Typically, this position requires an advanced degree.

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Security Consultant

A security consultant advises organizations on how to improve their cybersecurity posture. This course's information on penetration testing, threat hunting, and cryptography is useful to a security consultant. This course can help a security consultant by increasing their understanding of the methods, tools, and frameworks that they will advise on. They can leverage the course's study of penetration testing phases, threat hunting, and cryptographic techniques to provide more informed and actionable recommendations, making this course a good choice for those planning to enter the security consulting field.

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Information Security Analyst

An information security analyst is responsible for implementing security measures to protect an organization's data and systems. This course is valuable for information security analysts, as it teaches expertise in areas such as identifying vulnerabilities, protecting assets, and utilizing AI and cryptographic techniques to enhance cybersecurity. By studying penetration testing, threat hunting, and cryptography as taught in the course, an information security analyst can build a foundation of knowledge and skills to excel in their role.

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Network Security Specialist

A network security specialist focuses on protecting computer networks from unauthorized access and cyber threats. This course may be helpful to the network security specialist, especially with training on penetration testing and the use of cyber threat intelligence frameworks. The exploration of cryptography, including encryption and hashing, as well as common attacks and cryptanalysis methods, allows the network security specialist to better defend an organization's network. The course can enhance a network security specialist's skill set, providing a more proactive approach to network defense.

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Application Security Engineer

An application security engineer focuses on securing software applications throughout the development lifecycle. This course may be useful to an application security engineer, as it includes modules on software penetration testing and scanning code repositories. Further, the course provides instruction in cryptography which is important for ensuring the security of applications. This course provides the engineer with a practical understanding that may help in securing applications.

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Incident Responder

An incident responder is responsible for quickly and effectively handling and mitigating security breaches. This course may be useful to an incident responder since it provides knowledge of penetration testing phases and techniques of threat hunting, which are all useful when analyzing a security incident. Knowing common cryptographic attacks and cryptanalysis methods, as taught in this course, can help incident responders in the post incident analysis phase. The course's instruction in creating penetration testing reports could also be useful for incident documentation.

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Security Architect

A security architect designs the security infrastructure for an organization. This course provides a foundational understanding of key security concepts, including penetration testing, threat hunting, and cryptography, which is useful to a security architect. The course’s practical instruction in penetration testing and familiarity with threat intelligence frameworks is useful training for a security architect. While this course may not be sufficient to become a security architect, it provides a helpful background.

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Software Developer

A software developer creates and maintains software applications. This course may be useful to a software developer, especially with modules on penetration testing and scanning code repositories. Further, instruction in cryptography can be particularly useful for securing applications that handle sensitive data. Overall, a course like this may provide developers with important security considerations in the design process.

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IT Auditor

An IT auditor evaluates an organization's IT systems to identify risks and ensure compliance. An IT auditor may find this course is useful because it teaches skills in penetration testing that help understand the security posture of an organization. While the overall curriculum is not specifically about auditing, a deeper understanding of cryptography may be helpful. The course's hands-on practical labs are useful for gaining an understanding of the processes they will be auditing.

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Risk Analyst

A risk analyst assesses potential threats to an organization, including cyber threats, and develops strategies to mitigate them. The course may be useful for a risk analyst, as it covers penetration testing and threat hunting. By understanding these methods, a risk analyst can more accurately assess the probability and impact of security weaknesses within the organization. The study of threat intelligence frameworks may also inform a risk analyst's recommendations.

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Cyber Defense

Penetration Testing, Threat Hunting, and Cryptography

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Cyber defense: pen testing, threat hunting, & crypto

Activities

Career center

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