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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?

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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 Arizona State University. If you enroll in this Try It, your learner data will not be shared with Arizona State University unless you enroll in the Cybersecurity Boot Camp.

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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
Useful for personal growth and development
Explores the basics of cybersecurity, such as the CIA Triad and cryptography basics
Easy to jumpstart your cybersecurity career with this beginner-friendly course
Tailored to your experience level, allowing you to learn at your own pace
Taught by instructors recognized for their work in cybersecurity

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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:
Organize and review course materials
Make the most of your course materials by organizing and reviewing them regularly.
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  • Maintain organized notes for each lecture and reading
  • Review notes before and after each session
  • Highlight and tag important concepts
Review basic IT concepts
Ensure a solid foundation by reviewing basic IT concepts before starting the course.
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  • Review fundamental concepts of computer hardware and software
  • Explore basic networking concepts
  • Practice using common IT tools and applications
Review basic algebra
Sharpen your knowledge of algebra skills to build a strong mathematical foundation.
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  • Review the basics of arithmetic operations (+, -, *, /)
  • Simplify and solve linear equations
  • Analyze and solve word problems involving algebra
Eight other activities
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Show all 11 activities
Review fundamental principles of cybersecurity.
Review core security concepts to establish a strong foundation before starting the course.
Show steps
  • Read introductory chapters of textbooks or online resources on cybersecurity.
  • Recall concepts from previous courses or work experience related to cybersecurity.
Read 'Cybersecurity for Beginners'
Gain a comprehensive overview of cybersecurity fundamentals to complement your course studies.
Show steps
  • Acquire a copy of the book
  • Read and take notes on the chapters
  • Engage with the discussion questions and exercises
Brush up on cryptography
Review basic cryptography concepts to strengthen your foundation for this course.
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Show steps
  • Review basic encryption and decryption algorithms
  • Explore different types of ciphers
  • Practice applying cryptographic techniques
Join a cybersecurity study group
Connect with peers, share knowledge, and engage in discussions to enhance your learning.
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Show steps
  • Identify or create a cybersecurity study group
  • Set regular meeting times and topics
  • Collaborate on projects and assignments
Explore online resources on cybersecurity
Enhance your understanding of the field through interactive online tutorials.
Browse courses on Cybersecurity
Show steps
  • Identify reputable websites and platforms offering cybersecurity tutorials
  • Select tutorials that align with your learning objectives
  • Follow the tutorials, complete exercises, and engage in discussions
Practice encryption techniques
Apply your knowledge of encryption techniques through hands-on practice and drills.
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Show steps
  • Implement encryption algorithms (e.g., Caesar Cipher, Vigenere Cipher)
  • Decrypt and analyze encrypted messages
  • Troubleshoot and optimize encryption techniques
Contribute to open-source cybersecurity projects
Engage with the cybersecurity community by contributing to real-world projects.
Browse courses on Cybersecurity Community
Show steps
  • Identify open-source cybersecurity projects on platforms like GitHub
  • Review the project documentation and identify areas for contribution
  • Fork the repository and create a pull request with your changes
Participate in cybersecurity challenges
Test your skills and enhance your practical experience through online challenges.
Show steps
  • Identify suitable cybersecurity challenges or competitions
  • Form a team or participate individually
  • Solve cybersecurity-related problems and puzzles

Career center

Learners who complete Try It: Cybersecurity Basics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Security Engineer
Security Engineers design, implement, and manage security systems for organizations. They work with senior management to understand the organization's security needs and to develop and implement security controls to protect the organization's data and systems. The Cybersecurity Basics course will help you build a foundation in the principles of cybersecurity and will prepare you for a career as a Security Engineer. The course will teach you about the CIA Triad, cryptography, and other key cybersecurity concepts.
Security Consultant
Security Consultants provide security advice and services to organizations. They work with senior management to understand the organization's security needs and to develop and implement security controls to protect the organization's data and systems. The Cybersecurity Basics course will help you build a foundation in the principles of cybersecurity and will prepare you for a career as a Security Consultant. The course will teach you about the CIA Triad, cryptography, and other key cybersecurity concepts.
Information Security Manager
Information Security Managers are responsible for managing the day-to-day security operations of an organization. They work with senior management to define the organization's security needs and to develop and implement security controls to protect the organization's data and systems. The Cybersecurity Basics course will help you build a foundation in the principles of cybersecurity and will prepare you for a career as an Information Security Manager. The course will teach you about the CIA Triad, cryptography, and other key cybersecurity concepts.
Security Architect
Security Architects design and implement security solutions for organizations. They work with senior management to understand the organization's security needs and to develop and implement security controls to protect the organization's data and systems. The Cybersecurity Basics course will help you build a foundation in the principles of cybersecurity and will prepare you for a career as a Security Architect. The course will teach you about the CIA Triad, cryptography, and other key cybersecurity concepts.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
CISOs are responsible for developing and implementing security strategies and policies for organizations. They work with senior management to define the organization's security needs and to develop and implement security controls to protect the organization's data and systems. The Cybersecurity Basics course will help you build a foundation in the principles of cybersecurity and will prepare you for a career as a CISO. The course will teach you about the CIA Triad, cryptography, and other key cybersecurity concepts.
Analyst, Information Security
Analysts, Information Security design, implement, and manage information security programs for organizations. They work with senior management to understand the organization's security needs and to develop and implement security controls to protect the organization's data and systems. The Cybersecurity Basics course will help you build a foundation in the principles of cybersecurity and will prepare you for a career as an Analyst, Information Security. The course will teach you about the CIA Triad, cryptography, and other key cybersecurity concepts.
Systems Security Administrator
Systems Security Administrators manage the day-to-day security operations of an organization's computer systems. They work with senior management to define the organization's security needs and to develop and implement security controls to protect the organization's data and systems. The Cybersecurity Basics course will help you build a foundation in the principles of cybersecurity and will prepare you for a career as a Systems Security Administrator. The course will teach you about the CIA Triad, cryptography, and other key cybersecurity concepts.
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity Analysts plan and implement security measures to protect organizations from cyberattacks. They work with senior management to understand the organization's security needs and to develop and implement security controls to protect the organization's data and systems. The Cybersecurity Basics course will help you build a foundation in the principles of cybersecurity and will prepare you for a career as a Cybersecurity Analyst. The course will teach you about the CIA Triad, cryptography, and other key cybersecurity concepts.
Network Security Engineer
Network Security Engineers design, implement, and manage network security systems for organizations. They work with senior management to understand the organization's security needs and to develop and implement security controls to protect the organization's data and systems. The Cybersecurity Basics course will help you build a foundation in the principles of cybersecurity and will prepare you for a career as a Network Security Engineer. The course will teach you about the CIA Triad, cryptography, and other key cybersecurity concepts.
Security Analyst
Security Analysts monitor and analyze security events for organizations. They work with senior management to understand the organization's security needs and to develop and implement security controls to protect the organization's data and systems. The Cybersecurity Basics course will help you build a foundation in the principles of cybersecurity and will prepare you for a career as a Security Analyst. The course will teach you about the CIA Triad, cryptography, and other key cybersecurity concepts.
Vulnerability Analyst
Vulnerability Analysts identify and assess vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks. They work with senior management to understand the organization's security needs and to develop and implement security controls to protect the organization's data and systems. The Cybersecurity Basics course will help you build a foundation in the principles of cybersecurity and will prepare you for a career as a Vulnerability Analyst. The course will teach you about the CIA Triad, cryptography, and other key cybersecurity concepts.
Security Software Engineer
Security Software Engineers design and develop security software for organizations. They work with senior management to understand the organization's security needs and to develop and implement security controls to protect the organization's data and systems. The Cybersecurity Basics course will help you build a foundation in the principles of cybersecurity and will prepare you for a career as a Security Software Engineer. The course will teach you about the CIA Triad, cryptography, and other key cybersecurity concepts.
Security Researcher
Security Researchers identify and exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks. They work with senior management to understand the organization's security needs and to develop and implement security controls to protect the organization's data and systems. The Cybersecurity Basics course will help you build a foundation in the principles of cybersecurity and will prepare you for a career as a Security Researcher. The course will teach you about the CIA Triad, cryptography, and other key cybersecurity concepts.
Cryptography Engineer
Cryptography Engineers design and implement cryptographic solutions for organizations. They work with senior management to understand the organization's security needs and to develop and implement security controls to protect the organization's data and systems. The Cybersecurity Basics course will help you build a foundation in the principles of cryptography and will prepare you for a career as a Cryptography Engineer. The course will teach you about the CIA Triad, cryptography, and other key cybersecurity concepts.
Security Auditor
Security Auditors review and assess the security of organizations' systems and networks. They work with senior management to understand the organization's security needs and to develop and implement security controls to protect the organization's data and systems. The Cybersecurity Basics course will help you build a foundation in the principles of cybersecurity and will prepare you for a career as a Security Auditor. The course will teach you about the CIA Triad, cryptography, and other key cybersecurity concepts.

Reading list

We've selected 11 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.
Stallings' classic work on cryptography and network security continues to be updated to reflect the latest advances in the field. can help students and practitioners of cybersecurity understand the mathematical principles underpinning security and cryptography.
A classic work in computer security, Bishop's book provides a comprehensive overview of the field, covering topics from fundamentals to advanced techniques.
Providing a deep dive into network security, Stallings' book is useful for those interested in a technical overview of the topic. It covers a wide array of protocols and standards.
Providing insights from a former hacker, this book offers a unique perspective on social engineering and other non-technical aspects of cybersecurity.
Provides a theoretical foundation for building secure systems and networks. It covers topics such as threat modeling, risk assessment, and system design.
Another beginner-friendly guide to cybersecurity, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the field, covering topics such as malware, phishing, and encryption.
A comprehensive guide to malware analysis, this book provides a practical approach to understanding how malware works and how to detect and mitigate it.
This comprehensive textbook covers a wide range of information security topics, including risk management, cryptography, and network security.
Provides an overview of cybersecurity and infrastructure protection, addressing topics such as risk assessment, incident response, and disaster recovery.

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