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 Vanderbilt University. If you enroll in this Try It, your learner data will not be shared with Vanderbilt University 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

Develops and strengthens baseline cybersecurity skills

Introduces key concepts in cybersecurity

Builds essential knowledge in the basics of cryptography

Suitable for beginners with no prior experience or technical installations

Engages learners in an online learning experience tailored to their experience level

Designed to help learners jumpstart their cybersecurity career

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:

Review cryptography basics

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Build a baseline knowledge of the core concepts of cryptography before starting the course.

Browse courses on Cryptography

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Read a brief overview of cryptography concepts
Review basic encryption and decryption algorithms
Explore different types of ciphers

Practice Caesar Cipher encryption and decryption

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Hone your understanding of encryption and decryption by practicing with the Caesar Cipher.

Browse courses on Caesar Cipher

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Implement the Caesar Cipher algorithm in a programming language
Encrypt and decrypt messages using the Caesar Cipher
Experiment with different key values and observe the results

Participate in a study group to discuss CIA Triad applications

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Deepen your understanding of the CIA Triad by discussing its applications in real-world scenarios.

Browse courses on CIA Triad

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Join or form a study group with other course participants
Choose specific CIA Triad applications to discuss
Share perspectives, insights, and examples
Summarize key takeaways and document the discussion

Five other activities

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Explore online tutorials on symmetric encryption

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Broaden your knowledge of symmetric encryption by exploring online resources.

Browse courses on Symmetric Encryption

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Find reputable online tutorials on symmetric encryption
Follow the tutorials to understand the concepts and algorithms
Practice implementing symmetric encryption in a programming language

Compile a cybersecurity resource repository

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Organize and expand your cybersecurity knowledge base by creating a personalized resource collection.

Browse courses on Cybersecurity

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Identify and gather relevant resources (articles, tutorials, videos)
Categorize and organize the resources for easy reference
Include annotations or summaries to provide context
Share the repository with fellow students or the instructor for feedback

Develop a cryptography cheat sheet

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Create a comprehensive resource to reinforce your understanding of cryptography.

Browse courses on Cryptography

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Gather information from course materials and external resources
Organize the information into a logical and concise format
Include examples, definitions, and diagrams for clarity
Review and refine the cheat sheet for accuracy and completeness

Attend a workshop on advanced cryptography techniques

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Engage with experts and gain practical experience in advanced cryptography.

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Find and register for a relevant workshop
Attend the workshop and actively participate in sessions
Take notes and ask questions to enhance your understanding
Follow up with the instructors or attendees for further discussion

Mentor a beginner in cybersecurity

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Consolidate your knowledge and develop leadership skills by guiding a beginner's journey in cybersecurity.

Browse courses on Cybersecurity

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Connect with a beginner who needs guidance
Establish clear communication and set goals
Provide tailored advice, support, and resources
Monitor progress and offer encouragement

Career center

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

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts are responsible for protecting an organization's computer systems and networks from cyberattacks. They use their knowledge of cybersecurity to identify and mitigate risks, and to develop and implement security measures. This course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity and prepare you for a career as an Information Security Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Data Protection Officer

Data Protection Officers are responsible for ensuring that organizations comply with data privacy laws and regulations. They work with Cybersecurity Engineers and Information Security Analysts to identify and mitigate risks, and to develop and implement security measures. This course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity and prepare you for a career as a Data Protection Officer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Protection Officer

Network Security Engineer

Network Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain security systems for computer networks. They work with Cybersecurity Engineers and Information Security Analysts to identify and mitigate risks, and to develop and implement security measures. This course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity and prepare you for a career as a Network Security Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer

Incident Responder

Incident Responders investigate and respond to cyberattacks. They work with Cybersecurity Engineers and Information Security Analysts to identify and mitigate risks, and to develop and implement security measures. This course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity and prepare you for a career as an Incident Responder.

See salaries and explore the career path for Incident Responder

Cybersecurity Engineer

Cybersecurity Engineers design, implement, and maintain security systems to protect organizations from cyber threats. They work closely with Information Security Analysts to identify and mitigate risks, and to develop and implement security measures. This course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity and prepare you for a career as a Cybersecurity Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Engineer

Cloud Security Engineer

Cloud Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain security systems for cloud computing environments. They work with Cybersecurity Engineers and Information Security Analysts to identify and mitigate risks, and to develop and implement security measures. This course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity and prepare you for a career as a Cloud Security Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Engineer

Computer Forensics Analyst

Computer Forensics Analysts investigate cybercrimes and collect and analyze digital evidence. They work with law enforcement and other agencies to identify and prosecute criminals. This course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity and prepare you for a career as a Computer Forensics Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Forensics Analyst

Security Architect

Security Architects design and implement security frameworks and architectures to protect organizations from cyber threats. They work with Cybersecurity Engineers and Information Security Analysts to identify and mitigate risks, and to develop and implement security measures. This course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity and prepare you for a career as a Security Architect.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Architect

Cybersecurity Consultant

Cybersecurity Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on cybersecurity issues. They work with Cybersecurity Engineers and Information Security Analysts to identify and mitigate risks, and to develop and implement security measures. This course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity and prepare you for a career as a Cybersecurity Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Consultant

Threat Intelligence Analyst

Threat Intelligence Analysts collect and analyze information about cyber threats. They work with Cybersecurity Engineers and Information Security Analysts to identify and mitigate risks, and to develop and implement security measures. This course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity and prepare you for a career as a Threat Intelligence Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Threat Intelligence Analyst

Cryptographer

Cryptographers develop and implement encryption and decryption algorithms to protect data from unauthorized access. They work with Cybersecurity Engineers and Information Security Analysts to identify and mitigate risks, and to develop and implement security measures. This course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity and prepare you for a career as a Cryptographer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cryptographer

Cyber Risk Analyst

Cyber Risk Analysts assess the financial impact of cyberattacks. They work with Cybersecurity Engineers and Information Security Analysts to identify and mitigate risks, and to develop and implement security measures. This course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity and prepare you for a career as a Cyber Risk Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cyber Risk Analyst

Cybersecurity Auditor

Cybersecurity Auditors assess the effectiveness of an organization's cybersecurity program. They work with Cybersecurity Engineers and Information Security Analysts to identify and mitigate risks, and to develop and implement security measures. This course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity and prepare you for a career as a Cybersecurity Auditor.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Auditor

Vulnerability Assessor

Vulnerability Assessors identify and assess vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks. They work with Cybersecurity Engineers and Information Security Analysts to identify and mitigate risks, and to develop and implement security measures. This course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity and prepare you for a career as a Vulnerability Assessor.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vulnerability Assessor

Information Technology Security Manager

Information Technology Security Managers are responsible for the overall security of an organization's IT systems and networks. They work with Cybersecurity Engineers and Information Security Analysts to identify and mitigate risks, and to develop and implement security measures. This course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity and prepare you for a career as an Information Technology Security Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Technology Security Manager