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Emilio Aguero

In today's digital world, cybersecurity is an essential aspect of our personal and professional lives. Cyberattacks have become increasingly frequent, sophisticated, and dangerous, and protecting against them requires a broad range of knowledge and skills.

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In today's digital world, cybersecurity is an essential aspect of our personal and professional lives. Cyberattacks have become increasingly frequent, sophisticated, and dangerous, and protecting against them requires a broad range of knowledge and skills.

This Cybersecurity Fundamentals course is designed to provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to become a cybersecurity expert. Whether you are just starting in the field or looking to enhance your current skills, this course will give you a solid understanding of cybersecurity principles and best practices.

Throughout the course, you will learn about the latest threats and attacks, including social engineering, phishing, malware, and more. You will learn about risk management, cryptography, network security, web application security, mobile security, incident response, compliance, and regulations, and ethical and professional standards.

This course will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to protect your organization's critical assets and respond to security incidents effectively. Additionally, it will prepare you to take on a role as a cybersecurity professional and help you to advance your career in the cybersecurity field.

Join us on this journey to become a cybersecurity expert and learn how to keep our digital world safe and secure.

We will cover the basics of cybersecurity, including the following:

  1. Introduction to Cybersecurity: You will gain a broad understanding of the cybersecurity landscape, including common terminology and concepts.

  2. Threats and Attacks: You will learn about different types of threats and attacks, including social engineering, malware, phishing, and more.

  3. Risk Management: You will learn how to identify, assess, and manage risks to keep your organization secure.

  4. Cryptography: You will learn about encryption, decryption

  5. Network Security: You will learn how to secure networks, including firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and more.

  6. Web Application Security: You will learn how to secure web applications, including common vulnerabilities and best practices.

  7. Mobile Security: You will learn about mobile device security, including how to secure mobile applications and mobile device management.

  8. Incident Response: You will learn about incident response, including how to detect, respond to, and recover from cybersecurity incidents.

  9. Compliance and Regulations: You will learn about compliance and regulations, including

  10. Ethics and Professionalism: You will learn about the ethical and professional standards expected of cybersecurity professionals, including codes of conduct and best practices.

By the end of the course, you will have a solid understanding of cybersecurity fundamentals and be well on your way to becoming a cybersecurity expert. You will also have the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a career in cybersecurity.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • You will gain a broad understanding of the cybersecurity landscape, including common terminology and concepts.
  • Threats and attacks: you will learn about different types of threats and attacks, including social engineering, malware, phishing, and more.
  • Risk management: you will learn how to identify, assess, and manage risks to keep your organization secure.
  • Network security: you will learn how to secure networks, including firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and more.
  • Mobile security: you will learn about mobile device security, including how to secure mobile applications and mobile device management.
  • Compliance and regulations: you will learn about compliance and regulations, including gdpr, hipaa, and other industry-specific regulations.

Syllabus

Network Security Fundamentals

This Cybersecurity Fundamentals course is designed to provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to become a cybersecurity expert. Whether you are just starting in the field or looking to enhance your current skills, this course will give you a solid understanding of cybersecurity principles and best practices.

Read more

Understanding networking protocols and standards is essential for any cybersecurity professional. This topic delves into the communication protocols and standards that enable secure and efficient data transfer between devices and networks, including TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP, and more.

The topic of network security devices is critical for cybersecurity professionals to understand. This topic covers firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, VPNs, and other devices used to protect against cyber attacks. Participants will learn how to implement, manage, and optimize these devices to safeguard their organization's network infrastructure.

Cybersecurity Threats and Attacks

Understanding threats and attacks is crucial for any cybersecurity professional. This topic covers the different types of threats and attacks, including malware, phishing, social engineering, and more, and provides strategies for preventing and mitigating these threats to protect an organization's network and data.

Malware is a significant threat to the security of computer systems and networks. In this topic, participants will learn about different types of malware, such as viruses, Trojans, and ransomware, as well as methods for detecting, removing, and preventing malware infections.

Phishing is a type of social engineering attack that aims to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial data. This topic explores the different forms of phishing attacks, how to identify them, and best practices for protecting against phishing attempts.

Social engineering is a tactic used by cybercriminals to manipulate people into divulging sensitive information or taking actions that compromise security. In this topic, participants will learn about the different types of social engineering attacks, such as phishing and pretexting, and strategies for identifying and preventing these attacks.

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a type of cyber attack that aims to overwhelm a server, website, or network with traffic, rendering it unavailable to users. In this topic, participants will learn about the different types of DDoS attacks, how they are carried out, and strategies for mitigating their effects.

Quiz to test your knowledge on the topic of Cybersecurity Threats and Attacks

Passwords, MFA and Good Practices

Software updates are critical for maintaining the security and stability of computer systems and applications. This topic explores the importance of software updates, the risks of not keeping software up to date, and best practices for managing and deploying software updates efficiently and securely.

Creating strong passwords is a critical component of cybersecurity. In this topic, participants will learn about password structures, including length, complexity, and uniqueness, as well as best practices for managing passwords securely to prevent data breaches and unauthorized access.

Don't use these passwords whatever you do. This topic covers the most used passwords, and why you should avoid them.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security mechanism that requires users to provide multiple forms of identification to access a system or application. This topic explores the different types of MFA, such as tokens, and provides guidance on how to implement and manage MFA for enhanced security.

Data encryption is a critical technique for securing sensitive information in transit or at rest. This topic explores different encryption methods, such as symmetric and asymmetric encryption, and provides guidance on how to implement and manage encryption to protect data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Encrypting hard disk drives (HDD) on Windows and Mac is an effective way to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access. In this topic, participants will learn about the different encryption methods available for HDDs, such as BitLocker and FileVault, and how to implement and manage HDD encryption for enhanced security.

Test Your Knowledge
Using Firewalls, VPN, IDS

We'll give you in this video some high-level tips on how to improve the security of your network, and hardware systems.

In the context of cybersecurity training, Virtual Private Networks (VPN) are a crucial tool for maintaining online security and privacy. By using encryption and tunneling protocols, VPNs create a secure and private network connection that enables users to access the internet or other network resources without the risk of exposing sensitive information to potential cyber threats.

An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is a software or hardware tool that monitors network traffic or system activity for malicious or suspicious behavior. IDS alerts administrators or security personnel when potential security threats are detected, allowing them to take action to prevent or mitigate cyber attacks.

Protecting Servers, Computers + Smart Devices

Servers are critical components of IT infrastructure, and securing them is essential to prevent data breaches, downtime, and other security incidents. This topic covers the different aspects of server security, including access control, hardening, patch management, and monitoring, and provides best practices and strategies for protecting servers from various security threats.

Securing desktops and laptops is crucial to prevent data breaches, malware infections, and other security incidents. This topic covers the different security risks associated with desktops and laptops, such as phishing attacks and software vulnerabilities, and provides best practices for securing these devices, such as antivirus software, firewalls, and encryption.

Securing desktops and laptops, especially those running macOS, is crucial to prevent data breaches, malware infections, and other security incidents. This topic covers the different security risks associated with Macs, such as phishing attacks, software vulnerabilities, and ransomware, and provides best practices for securing these devices, such as enabling FileVault encryption, using anti-malware software, and configuring the built-in firewall.

iPhone security is a critical aspect of mobile device security, as iPhones store and access sensitive data and are vulnerable to various security threats. This topic covers the different security risks associated with iPhones.

iPad security is a critical aspect of mobile device security, as iPads store and access sensitive data and are vulnerable to various security threats.

Security When Online

Staying safe online is crucial in today's interconnected world, where cyber threats and attacks are increasingly common. This topic covers the best practices for staying safe online, such as using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, keeping software up-to-date, avoiding suspicious links and attachments, and being cautious when sharing personal information online. It emphasizes the importance of being vigilant and proactive in protecting oneself against cyber threats to ensure a safer online experience.

Web and browser security are essential aspects of protecting oneself from online threats. This topic covers various measures to ensure web and browser security, including keeping software up-to-date, enabling browser security features, avoiding suspicious websites, using ad-blockers, and being cautious when downloading or installing software from the web. It also emphasizes the importance of staying informed about the latest threats and security trends to stay ahead of potential risks.

Securing the cloud is critical to protect the sensitive data and applications stored and accessed in the cloud. This topic in the cybersecurity training course covers the different security risks associated with cloud computing, including data breaches, insider threats, and compliance issues, and provides strategies and best practices for securing data and applications in the cloud.

Test what you've learnt
Physical Security

Physical security involves measures designed to protect the physical assets of an organization, such as buildings, equipment, and people, from unauthorized access, theft, damage, and destruction. This topic covers the key components of physical security, including access control, surveillance, and emergency response, as well as the best practices for designing and implementing physical security measures.

Policies and Procedures

Cybersecurity governance refers to the set of policies, procedures, and frameworks that an organization uses to manage and oversee its cybersecurity practices. This topic covers the key components of cybersecurity governance, including risk management, compliance, incident response planning, and employee awareness training, as well as the best practices for establishing and maintaining an effective cybersecurity governance program.

Incident response is the process of detecting, analyzing, and containing security incidents to minimize the impact of security breaches on an organization. This topic covers the key components of incident response, including incident classification, severity assessment, escalation, and communication, as well as the best practices for developing and implementing an incident response plan. It also covers the tools and techniques used in incident response, including forensics, malware analysis, and threat intelligence.

Cybersecurity policies and compliance are essential for organizations to protect their sensitive information. They involve establishing rules and procedures to ensure compliance with relevant regulations, industry standards, and best practices, and preventing unauthorized access or disclosure of data.

Cybersecurity risk management involves identifying, assessing, and prioritizing potential threats and vulnerabilities to an organization's digital assets, and implementing strategies to mitigate those risks. This process requires a comprehensive understanding of the organization's technology infrastructure, as well as the current threat landscape, and involves ongoing monitoring and adaptation to ensure continued security.

Identity and Access Management (IAM) is the practice of managing digital identities and controlling access to resources. Event management is the process of monitoring, analyzing, and responding to security events to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and systems.

Cybersecurity Vulnerability Assessment and Management involve identifying, assessing, prioritizing, and mitigating vulnerabilities in an organization's network, systems, and applications. It includes implementing controls to reduce the risks associated with vulnerabilities and establishing a process for continuous monitoring and updating of the vulnerabilities.

Get Compliant

Cybersecurity regulations and standards refer to the rules and guidelines that govern the protection of information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. These regulations and standards provide a framework for organizations to implement effective security measures and comply with legal and industry requirements to safeguard their data and systems.

Backups and disaster recovery (DR) are critical in cybersecurity because they provide a way to restore systems and data in the event of a security incident or disaster, such as a ransomware attack, natural disaster, or hardware failure. Without proper backups and DR plans in place, organizations risk losing valuable data, facing extended downtime, and potentially even going out of business.

Training and Certifications

This topic covers the importance and benefits of cybersecurity certifications for professionals in the field. Cybersecurity certifications can help individuals improve their skills and knowledge, validate their expertise, and demonstrate their commitment to the industry's best practices and standards. They can also increase job opportunities and career advancement prospects.

Cybersecurity awareness and training is essential for all employees to ensure they understand the risks of cyber threats and how to mitigate them. With regular training, employees can learn how to identify and respond to cyber incidents, effectively protecting themselves and their organizations.

Implementing a cybersecurity awareness and training program is crucial to minimize the risk of cyber threats. Such a program should include regular training sessions, simulated phishing attacks, and updated security policies, among other measures, to educate employees about potential risks and reinforce safe cybersecurity practices.

Test Your Environment

Cybersecurity audits are a crucial aspect of ensuring the security and integrity of an organization's information systems. These audits provide an independent and objective assessment of an organization's cybersecurity posture, identifying vulnerabilities and potential threats that need to be addressed to protect against cyber attacks.

Cybersecurity penetration testing, also known as pen testing, is a method used to identify security vulnerabilities in an organization's computer systems, networks, and applications. It involves simulating a cyber attack to test the security defenses and identify weaknesses that can be exploited by attackers.

Engaging a pentester, or penetration tester, is an important step in identifying security vulnerabilities in a system. By simulating real-world attacks, pentesters can help organizations identify weaknesses in their security posture and develop strategies to mitigate potential threats.

What's Next?

Test Your Knowledge across all modules

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides a strong foundation for beginners in cybersecurity
Develops core skills necessary for a cybersecurity career
Examines the latest threats and attacks in cybersecurity
Covers a broad range of cybersecurity topics, including risk management, cryptography, and incident response
Teaches best practices for protecting personal and professional data

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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 Cybersecurity Fundamentals - Become a Security Expert with these activities:
Read 'Hacking: The Art of Exploitation' by Jon Erickson
This book will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the techniques and tools used by hackers, which will help you to better understand and defend against cybersecurity threats.
Show steps
  • Read the book carefully and take notes
  • Complete the exercises and challenges in the book
Complete the 'Cybersecurity Fundamentals' course on Udemy
This course will provide you with a solid understanding of the fundamental principles of cybersecurity, which will help you to build a strong foundation for your cybersecurity career.
Show steps
  • Enroll in the 'Cybersecurity Fundamentals' course on Udemy
  • Watch the video lectures and complete the quizzes and assignments
Create a cybersecurity resource kit
A cybersecurity resource kit will help you stay organized and up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices.
Show steps
  • Gather cybersecurity resources from a variety of sources
  • Organize the resources into a logical structure
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Find a cybersecurity mentor
A cybersecurity mentor can provide you with guidance and support as you develop your cybersecurity career.
Show steps
  • Identify potential cybersecurity mentors
  • Reach out to your potential mentors and ask for their guidance
Create a cybersecurity incident response plan
By creating a cybersecurity incident response plan, you will demonstrate your understanding of the key components of incident response and how to implement them in a real-world scenario.
Browse courses on Incident Response
Show steps
  • Identify potential cybersecurity threats and risks
  • Develop a plan for detecting, responding to, and recovering from cybersecurity incidents
  • Test your incident response plan regularly
Practice solving cybersecurity challenges on HackerRank
HackerRank is a great platform for practicing your cybersecurity skills and competing with other cybersecurity professionals.
Show steps
  • Create an account on HackerRank
  • Solve cybersecurity challenges on HackerRank
Volunteer for a cybersecurity organization
Volunteering for a cybersecurity organization is a great way to gain practical experience and give back to the community.
Show steps
  • Research cybersecurity organizations in your area
  • Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Build a cybersecurity threat detection system
By building a cybersecurity threat detection system, you will gain hands-on experience in implementing key cybersecurity technologies and techniques.
Show steps
  • Choose a cybersecurity threat detection tool or framework
  • Install and configure the cybersecurity threat detection system
  • Monitor the cybersecurity threat detection system for suspicious activity
  • Investigate and respond to any security alerts generated by the system
Mentor other cybersecurity students or professionals
Mentoring others will help you solidify your own understanding of cybersecurity concepts and best practices.
Show steps
  • Identify opportunities to mentor other cybersecurity students or professionals
  • Share your knowledge and expertise with your mentees

Career center

Learners who complete Cybersecurity Fundamentals - Become a Security Expert will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Security Engineer
Security Engineers design and implement security measures to protect computer systems and networks. This course can provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful Security Engineers by teaching them about the latest threats and attacks, as well as best practices for risk management, cryptography, network security, and incident response. This comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity principles will help individuals excel in this role.
Cybersecurity Engineer
Cybersecurity Engineers design and implement cybersecurity solutions to protect computer systems and networks. This course can help individuals develop the knowledge and skills needed to become successful Cybersecurity Engineers by providing a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity principles, including risk management, network security, and incident response. The course also covers cloud security and mobile security, which are essential for Cybersecurity Engineers to effectively design and implement cybersecurity solutions in today's complex IT environment.
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity Analysts utilize their knowledge of computer systems and networks to identify and address cybersecurity risks. This course can help individuals develop the knowledge and skills to become effective Cybersecurity Analysts by providing a foundation in cybersecurity principles, such as risk management, network security, incident response, and compliance. Understanding these principles is crucial for Cybersecurity Analysts to effectively protect organizations from cyber attacks and data breaches.
Network Security Engineer
Network Security Engineers specialize in securing computer networks from unauthorized access and attacks. This course can help individuals develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role by providing a solid foundation in network security principles, including network protocols, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems. The course also covers risk management and compliance, which are essential for Network Security Engineers to effectively protect organizations from cyber threats.
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analysts plan and implement security measures to protect an organization's information systems and data. This course can provide individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to become successful Information Security Analysts by teaching them about cybersecurity threats and attacks, risk management, cryptography, network security, and compliance. Understanding these principles is essential for Information Security Analysts to effectively protect organizations from cyber attacks and data breaches.
Security Analyst
Security Analysts investigate and respond to cybersecurity incidents. This course can help individuals develop the knowledge and skills needed to become successful Security Analysts by providing a solid foundation in cybersecurity principles, including risk management, network security, and incident response. The course also covers forensics and malware analysis, which are essential for Security Analysts to effectively investigate and respond to cybersecurity incidents.
Security Architect
Security Architects design and implement security architectures to protect an organization's computer systems and networks. This course can help individuals develop the knowledge and skills needed to become effective Security Architects by providing a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity principles, including risk management, cryptography, network security, and incident response. The course also covers compliance and regulations, which are essential for Security Architects to ensure that their organizations meet legal and industry requirements.
Penetration Tester
Penetration Testers identify and exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks. This course can help individuals develop the knowledge and skills needed to become successful Penetration Testers by providing a solid foundation in cybersecurity principles, including risk management, network security, and incident response. The course also covers penetration testing techniques and tools, which are essential for Penetration Testers to effectively identify and exploit vulnerabilities.
Forensic Analyst
Forensic Analysts investigate and analyze computer systems and networks to gather evidence of cybersecurity incidents. This course can help individuals develop the knowledge and skills needed to become successful Forensic Analysts by providing a solid foundation in cybersecurity principles, including risk management, network security, and incident response. The course also covers forensics and malware analysis, which are essential for Forensic Analysts to effectively investigate and analyze computer systems and networks to gather evidence of cybersecurity incidents.
Incident Responder
Incident Responders investigate and respond to cybersecurity incidents. This course can help individuals develop the knowledge and skills needed to become successful Incident Responders by providing a solid foundation in cybersecurity principles, including risk management, network security, and incident response. The course also covers incident response planning and procedures, which are essential for Incident Responders to effectively investigate and respond to cybersecurity incidents.
Security Researcher
Security Researchers identify and analyze new cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities. This course can help individuals develop the knowledge and skills needed to become successful Security Researchers by providing a solid foundation in cybersecurity principles, including risk management, network security, and incident response. The course also covers threat intelligence and research techniques, which are essential for Security Researchers to effectively identify and analyze new cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities.
Cybersecurity Consultant
Cybersecurity Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on cybersecurity risks and対策. This course can help individuals develop the knowledge and skills needed to become successful Cybersecurity Consultants by providing a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity principles, including risk management, network security, and incident response. The course also covers compliance and regulations, which are essential for Cybersecurity Consultants to ensure that their clients meet legal and industry requirements.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
CISOs are responsible for overseeing an organization's cybersecurity strategy and operations. This course can help individuals develop the knowledge and skills needed to become successful CISOs by providing a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity principles, including risk management, network security, and incident response. The course also covers compliance and regulations, which are essential for CISOs to ensure that their organizations meet legal and industry requirements.
IT Auditor
IT Auditors evaluate an organization's IT systems and practices to ensure that they are aligned with security policies and regulations. This course can help individuals develop the knowledge and skills needed to become successful IT Auditors by providing a solid foundation in cybersecurity principles, including risk management, compliance, and incident response. The course also covers auditing techniques and procedures, which are essential for IT Auditors to effectively assess an organization's IT systems and practices.
Cybersecurity Manager
Cybersecurity Managers oversee an organization's cybersecurity program and operations. This course can help individuals develop the knowledge and skills needed to become successful Cybersecurity Managers by providing a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity principles, including risk management, network security, and incident response. The course also covers leadership and management skills, which are essential for Cybersecurity Managers to effectively lead and manage a cybersecurity team.

Reading list

We've selected eight 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 Cybersecurity Fundamentals - Become a Security Expert.
Must-read for anyone who wants to learn about cryptography. It covers the basics of cryptography and provides advanced topics such as public-key cryptography and digital signatures. This valuable reference book for cryptographers and cybersecurity professionals.
Classic in the field of cybersecurity and provides a comprehensive overview of computer security. It covers topics such as cryptography, network security, and security management.
Comprehensive guide to web application security. It covers topics such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and CSRF. This would make a great textbook for an academic course on web application security.
Is an excellent introduction to security engineering. It covers a wide range of topics, from security principles to system design and implementation. This would be valuable reading for software engineers and system designers.
Provides a comprehensive overview of network security. It covers topics such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and virtual private networks. This would make a great reference for network security professionals and students.
Comprehensive guide to cloud security. It covers topics such as cloud security architecture, cloud security controls, and cloud security best practices. This would make a great reference for cloud security professionals and students.
Is for those who want to learn about penetration testing. It covers the basics of penetration testing and provides hands-on exercises.
Is an excellent read for anyone who wants to learn about the human element of security. It covers topics such as social engineering, phishing, and pretexting.

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