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

Beginners are well-positioned to enter this course, as no prior knowledge is needed

This course is asynchronous, letting you learn at your pace

You'll be exposed to key facets of cybersecurity, such as cryptography and the CIA Triad

There are no technical installations or prior experience needed to complete this course

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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Review the fundamental concepts and techniques used in cryptography, setting a strong foundation for understanding the course's content and real-world applications.

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Revise concepts of plaintext, ciphertext, encryption, and decryption
Explore different types of encryption algorithms, such as symmetric and asymmetric encryption
Practice solving simple cryptography problems, like the Caesar Cipher

Solve cybersecurity challenges

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Engage in hands-on exercises to apply cybersecurity principles and techniques, strengthening problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

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Work through online cybersecurity challenges and puzzles
Participate in simulated cybersecurity scenarios
Analyze and interpret cybersecurity logs and data

Explore ethical hacking techniques

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Delve into ethical hacking techniques, fostering a deeper understanding of potential vulnerabilities and developing strategies for defense.

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Follow guided tutorials on ethical hacking methods and tools
Conduct vulnerability assessments on personal or designated systems
Review best practices for ethical hacking and responsible disclosure

One other activity

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Design a cybersecurity incident response plan

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Conceptualize and draft a comprehensive cybersecurity incident response plan, solidifying understanding of incident management and best practices.

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Identify potential cybersecurity risks and threats
Establish roles and responsibilities for incident response
Develop procedures for incident detection, containment, and recovery
Test and refine the incident response plan through simulations

Career center

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

Incident Responder

Incident Responders investigate and respond to cybersecurity incidents. This course provides a good start on the pathway to Incident Responder by introducing you to key cybersecurity concepts, such as the CIA Triad and cryptography basics, and by giving you the knowledge you need to think like a cyber pro. You'll also learn about the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today, so you know what to expect in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Incident Responder

Cybersecurity Engineer

Cybersecurity Engineers design, implement, and maintain security controls to protect computer networks and systems. This course can help you develop the skills you need to work as a Cybersecurity Engineer by giving you an introduction to the CIA Triad, cryptography basics, and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals. Additionally, you'll learn how to approach problems like a cyber pro: by breaking them down and identifying areas of risk.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Engineer

Penetration Tester

Penetration Testers assess the security of computer systems by simulating attacks on them. This course can help you prepare for a career in Penetration Testing by providing you with a foundation in cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad, cryptography basics, and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals.

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Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems. This course can help you start on the path to becoming an Information Security Analyst by introducing you to key cybersecurity concepts and giving you the knowledge you need to think like a cyber pro. This course specifically provides an introduction to cryptography basics, which is a key skill for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Forensic Computer Analyst

Forensic Computer Analysts investigate computer systems to find evidence of crimes. This course can help you start your journey to becoming a Forensic Computer Analyst by introducing you to the basics of cybersecurity, including cryptography basics and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today. You'll also learn about digital forensics, which is a key skill for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Forensic Computer Analyst

Security Analyst

Security Analysts monitor and analyze security data to identify and investigate potential threats. This course will provide an excellent foundation for Security Analysts by introducing you to cybersecurity basics, cryptography basics, and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today. You'll also learn about incident response you investigate threats independently with more knowledge and skill.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Malware Analyst

Malware Analysts investigate and analyze malware to identify its purpose and behavior. This course can help you start on the path to becoming a Malware Analyst by introducing you to cybersecurity basics, including cryptography basics and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today. You'll also learn about malware analysis, which is a key skill for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Malware Analyst

Security Architect

Security Architects design and implement security solutions to protect an organization's computer networks and systems. This course will provide a good introduction to Security Architecture by introducing you to cybersecurity basics, including cryptography basics and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today. You'll also learn about risk management, which is a vital skill for Security Architects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Architect

Threat Intelligence Analyst

Threat Intelligence Analysts collect and analyze information about potential threats to an organization's computer networks and systems. This course can help you get started in Threat Intelligence by introducing you to cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad and cryptography basics. You'll also learn about threat intelligence gathering and analysis, which are essential skills for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Threat Intelligence Analyst

Risk Analyst

Risk Analysts identify and assess risks to an organization's computer networks and systems. This course can help you prepare for a career in Risk Analysis by introducing you to cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad, cryptography basics, and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today. You'll also learn about risk management, which is a vital skill for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Analyst

Cybersecurity Consultant

Cybersecurity Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on how to protect their computer networks and systems. This course may be useful for Cybersecurity Consultants by introducing you to cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad and cryptography basics.

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Data Privacy Analyst

Data Privacy Analysts develop and implement policies and procedures to protect an organization's data. This course may be useful for Data Privacy Analysts by introducing you to cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad and cryptography basics.

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Cloud Security Architect

Cloud Security Architects design and implement security solutions for cloud-based systems. This course may be useful for Cloud Security Architects by introducing you to cybersecurity basics, including cryptography basics and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Architect

Compliance Manager

Compliance Managers ensure that an organization's computer systems and networks comply with regulations. This course may be useful for Compliance Managers by introducing you to cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad and cryptography basics.

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IT Auditor

IT Auditors evaluate an organization's computer systems and networks to ensure they are secure and compliant with regulations. This course may be useful for IT Auditors by introducing you to cybersecurity basics, including the CIA Triad and cryptography basics.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Auditor