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Mac Bowley, Alex Parry, Richard H, and Diane Dowling

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is designed for teachers delivering cybersecurity lessons in the classroom, at a GCSE level or equivalent.

Topics Covered

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Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is designed for teachers delivering cybersecurity lessons in the classroom, at a GCSE level or equivalent.

Topics Covered

  • Core concepts of Cybersecurity
  • Different types of cyberattacks, such as Social Engineering attacks, Malware, SQL injections, Malicious Bots and physical threats to data, devices and networks
  • Tools to protect data, devices and networks, like strong passwords, biometrics, 2FA, antivirus software, Firewalls and CAPTCHAs
  • Cybersecurity approaches such as input sanitisation, well designed security protocols, and Data and Network Access Control systems

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Reviews summary

Cybersecurity fundamentals for educators

According to students, this course is a highly effective introduction to cybersecurity for teachers, specifically designed to help them deliver content at a GCSE level. Learners frequently praise its clear and accessible explanations of complex topics, making it ideal for those without a technical background. The course is noted for providing practical examples and materials that can be directly applied in a classroom setting, with many finding the content on social engineering and protection tools particularly insightful. While largely positive, some feel the hands-on activities could be expanded for deeper engagement, and a few wished for more advanced topics beyond the core curriculum focus.
Offers a solid introduction but doesn't delve into advanced topics.
"The course gives a fantastic overview of cybersecurity basics, ideal for its stated purpose."
"While comprehensive for an introduction, I felt some topics could have been explored in more depth."
"It covers all the essentials for GCSE, but I wouldn't expect it to turn you into a cybersecurity expert."
Provides useful resources and examples for direct use in lessons.
"I found the practical examples given to be invaluable; I'm already incorporating them into my lesson plans."
"The resources provided are genuinely helpful for classroom activities and discussions."
"This course provided me with actionable strategies to explain cybersecurity in an engaging way to my students."
Complex concepts are broken down into easily understandable modules.
"The explanations of core cybersecurity concepts were incredibly clear, even for someone like me who isn't a tech expert."
"I really appreciated how the course demystified topics like SQL injections and malicious bots; they made sense now!"
"Everything was explained in a straightforward manner, making it easy to grasp and, more importantly, to teach."
Perfectly aligns with the needs of teachers for GCSE-level cybersecurity.
"This course was exactly what I needed as a teacher to confidently deliver cybersecurity lessons at the GCSE level."
"I found the content perfectly pitched for educators, providing all the foundational knowledge required for teaching."
"It’s great for educators. I can use these explanations directly with my students."
Some desire more interactive, hands-on labs or activities.
"I would have liked to see more hands-on activities or labs that I could replicate with my students."
"While the theory is strong, I felt there could be more interactive elements to truly solidify understanding."
"The course is good, but I was hoping for more practical exercises to demonstrate the concepts."

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Cybersecurity for Teachers will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 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 Introduction to Cybersecurity for Teachers.
Provides a groundbreaking analysis of the surveillance capitalism that is shaping our world. It argues that surveillance capitalism new form of capitalism that is based on the exploitation of personal data.
This hands-on guide provides a step-by-step approach to malware analysis, covering reverse engineering, static analysis, and dynamic analysis techniques. It includes practical exercises and real-world examples.
Classic work on the right to privacy. It provides a comprehensive overview of the history of privacy law and the challenges posed by new technologies.
Is considered a definitive resource exclusively focused on SQL Injection. It covers understanding, finding, exploiting, and defending against these attacks. It's highly valuable for both offensive and defensive perspectives, making it a strong reference for students and professionals alike. While the second edition is from 2012, the core principles remain relevant, though it should be supplemented with more contemporary resources for the latest techniques.
Provides a practical guide to data privacy and security for IT professionals. It covers the technical and legal aspects of data privacy, as well as best practices for implementing a data privacy program.
This book, authored by two pioneers in the field of computer security, introduces firewalls and their role in protecting computer networks from unauthorized access by untrusted outsiders. It explains how firewalls work and help protect a network against a variety of threats, making it a highly relevant book for understanding firewalls and their application in network security.
Provides a comprehensive overview of data protection law. It covers the legal frameworks for data protection in different jurisdictions, as well as the key legal concepts and principles.
Provides a practical guide to the role of the data protection officer (DPO). It covers the legal requirements for DPOs, as well as best practices for implementing a data protection program.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the legal and ethical issues surrounding data privacy, including the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information. It is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the legal and ethical implications of data privacy.
By Kevin Mitnick, a former hacker and convicted felon, provides a comprehensive overview of social engineering techniques and how to protect against them.
A more in-depth exploration than 'Network Security Essentials,' this book delves into the theory and practice of cryptography and network security. It covers a wide range of topics, from encryption algorithms to network security applications. comprehensive resource often used as a textbook for undergraduate and graduate-level courses.
Specifically addresses identity management in modern application development, covering key protocols like OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect, which are central to implementing 2FA in many systems. It's highly relevant for understanding contemporary approaches to authentication and identity, making it a valuable resource for developers and architects.
Published in 2024, this guide offers a contemporary look at securing both databases and applications. It includes tangible ways to protect against data breaches and covers topics like SQL Injection within the broader context of database and application security. It's a very relevant and up-to-date resource.
Practical guide to building and operating a network security monitoring (NSM) capability. It covers data collection, detection techniques, and analysis. It's an essential resource for security analysts and anyone responsible for monitoring network traffic for malicious activity.
Offers a practical introduction to penetration testing and ethical hacking. It guides readers through the process of identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in networks and systems. It hands-on guide suitable for those interested in offensive security and understanding how attackers operate.
A comprehensive guide to the OWASP Top 10, this book includes a detailed explanation of Injection vulnerabilities. It's designed for both beginners and experienced professionals, offering real-world examples and practical mitigation strategies. It's a valuable resource for understanding and addressing a wide range of web security risks, including SQL Injection.
Building on OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect is an identity layer frequently used with 2FA. provides an in-depth look at implementing OpenID Connect, making it highly relevant for understanding modern authentication standards that support multi-factor authentication. It's a practical resource for developers and security professionals.
Based on real bug bounty reports, this book offers practical insights into finding vulnerabilities in web applications. It's a valuable resource for aspiring bug bounty hunters and those interested in learning about common web security flaws through real-world examples.
By Richard Ford examines the human factor in information security and how social engineering attacks can exploit vulnerabilities in human behavior.
Published in 2020, this book focuses specifically on SQL Injection strategies from an offensive perspective. It delves into exploiting vulnerable database applications using various tools and techniques, while also touching upon prevention. This good resource for those looking to deepen their practical understanding of SQL Injection exploitation.
Published in 2020, this book provides a contemporary look at web application security, covering both offensive and defensive concepts. It would include up-to-date information on exploiting and mitigating various vulnerabilities, likely including modern approaches to SQL Injection.
Provides a clear and concise overview of the history of privacy law and the challenges posed by new technologies. It great starting point for anyone interested in learning more about data privacy.
Is aimed at developers and focuses on practical defense strategies against web security threats. It would include guidance on preventing injection attacks like SQL Injection from a coding perspective, making it highly relevant for those in development roles.
Although not specifically about social engineering, this book by Robert Cialdini explores the principles of persuasion and how they can be applied to influence behavior.
Focuses on the application of data science techniques to malware analysis. It covers data collection, feature engineering, and machine learning algorithms for detecting and attributing malware attacks.
This captivating narrative tells the true story of Clifford Stoll's investigation into a computer intrusion, providing a firsthand account of the challenges and rewards of malware analysis.
Discusses the use of CAPTCHA as a tool for human computation, exploring its potential for solving complex problems.
Delves into the art of reverse engineering, a technique used to analyze and understand the inner workings of software. It covers essential principles, tools, and techniques relevant to malware analysis.
Provides a practical introduction to modern encryption, focusing on the algorithms and techniques used in real-world applications. It strikes a balance between theoretical concepts and practical implementation, making it suitable for students and practitioners interested in the cryptographic foundations of network security.
Approaches the subject of firewalls from a beginner-friendly perspective, providing a comprehensive introduction to firewalls and their functionality. It simplifies complex ideas related to firewalls, helping readers easily grasp the concept and its relevance in securing networks.
Builds upon the foundational concepts in 'Applied Cryptography' and focuses on the engineering aspects of building secure cryptographic systems. Understanding these principles is important for those designing and evaluating authentication protocols that utilize cryptography, including those for 2FA.
Is considered a classic in network security, delving into the intricacies of securing communication in a public environment. It covers fundamental concepts of authentication and network protocols that are foundational to understanding how 2FA operates within network communications. It's a valuable reference for gaining a solid understanding of the underlying principles.
Focused on web development security, this book covers best practices for handling identity and data. It would include discussions on secure authentication methods relevant to 2FA implementation in web applications. It's a practical guide for developers looking to secure their web projects.
Although not about social engineering, this book by Simon Baron-Cohen provides insights into manipulative behavior that can be relevant to understanding social engineering techniques.
This specialized book focuses on rootkits, a type of malware that gains privileged access to a computer system. It provides an in-depth analysis of rootkit techniques, detection methods, and countermeasures.
This academic book provides a theoretical and practical foundation for understanding computer viruses. It covers the history, classification, and behavior of viruses, as well as methods for detection and prevention.
Considered a classic in the field, this book provides a detailed look at cryptographic protocols and algorithms. While some of the algorithms may be dated, the principles and many of the protocols remain relevant. It valuable reference for understanding the underlying cryptographic concepts used in network security.
This textbook covers fundamental concepts in information security, including access control, authentication, and protocols. It provides a solid academic foundation for understanding the principles behind 2FA as part of an overall security strategy. It's suitable for students and professionals seeking a structured approach to learning information security.
Provides a practical description of authentication and authorization specifically for web sites. It covers secure methods relevant to implementing authentication on the web, which common context for 2FA. It's a useful resource for web developers.
The CISSP certification covers a wide domain of information security topics, including identity and access management, which encompasses authentication and authorization. This official study guide provides a comprehensive overview of these concepts as they relate to enterprise security. It's a valuable resource for security professionals seeking a broad understanding and certification.
This cookbook provides secure coding techniques for C and C++, including input validation, which is critical in preventing SQL Injection vulnerabilities. While language-specific, the principles of secure coding are broadly applicable and valuable for developers working in any language.
This concise book provides a concise overview of firewalls, emphasizing the essential concepts and mechanisms involved in firewall operation. It covers topics such as packet filtering, stateful inspection, and firewall architectures, making it a quick and informative introduction to firewalls for those seeking a foundational understanding.
This specialized book explores the field of memory forensics, focusing on detecting malware and threats in computer memory. It provides advanced techniques and case studies for experienced cybersecurity professionals.
Explores securing modern web applications with a focus on browser security and client-side attacks, which can be relevant in the context of some advanced SQL Injection scenarios. While not solely about SQL Injection, it provides valuable depth on web security that complements other resources.

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