Cybersecurity for Data Science from Coursera

This course aims to help anyone interested in data science understand the cybersecurity risks and the tools/techniques that can be used to mitigate those risks. We will cover the distinctions between confidentiality, integrity, and availability, introduce learners to relevant cybersecurity tools and techniques including cryptographic tools, software resources, and policies that will be essential to data science. We will explore key tools and techniques for authentication and access control so producers, curators, and users of data can help ensure the security and privacy of the data.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Data Science (MS-DS) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The MS-DS is an interdisciplinary degree that brings together faculty from CU Boulder’s departments of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Science, and others. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the MS-DS is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience in computer science, information science, mathematics, and statistics. Learn more about the MS-DS program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/master-of-science-data-science-boulder.

What's inside

Syllabus

Basic Cybersecurity Concepts and Principles

In this module, you will learn the basics of cybersecurity and the CIA triad.

Your Cyber Story and Your Public Data Profile

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides a foundational understanding of cybersecurity risks in data science, and helps mitigate those risks

Taught by instructors Al Pisano, who are recognized for their expertise in cybersecurity

Suitable for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience in computer science, information science, mathematics, and statistics

Covers key tools and techniques for authentication and access control

Explores the distinctions between confidentiality, integrity, and availability

Offers an ethical perspective on cybersecurity and data

Reviews summary

Foundational cybersecurity for data professionals

According to learners, this course provides a strong foundational understanding of cybersecurity concepts specifically tailored for data science. Many appreciate its practical relevance, noting it helps in understanding data privacy and security implications in real-world scenarios. The unique Cybersecurity Expert Interview project is frequently highlighted as an invaluable learning experience. While praised for its coverage of key concepts like the CIA triad, some advanced students caution it offers less depth for experienced cybersecurity practitioners, potentially being too basic for those already familiar with the field. Overall, it serves as a robust entry point for data professionals.

Pacing varies; some modules are more general than technical.

"Some modules felt a little slow or less academic, like the 'Your Cyber Story' part, compared to others."

"I appreciated the variety of content, but the technical depth varied widely across different sessions."

"I wish there were more technical walkthroughs and less general discussion in certain sections of the course."

A unique, valuable project for real-world insights.

"The Cybersecurity Expert Interview was an absolute highlight, offering real-world insights and networking opportunities."

"I found the interview assignment incredibly insightful; it brought the theoretical concepts to life."

"Connecting with an expert broadened my perspective on the field significantly and was a unique aspect of the course."

Highlights real-world applications for data security and privacy.

"I learned practical strategies to protect data in my projects, which I can immediately apply in my role."

"The course truly helped me understand the specific cybersecurity risks inherent in data science practices."

"Its focus on data privacy and security is highly relevant for today's professional landscape."

Delivers a solid introduction to essential cybersecurity principles.

"This course provided a solid introduction to cybersecurity concepts, particularly for a data scientist like myself."

"I gained a firm grasp of the CIA triad and other fundamental cybersecurity principles, which was my primary goal."

"It's perfect for anyone needing to understand the basics of data security without getting bogged down in overly technical details."

Concerns regarding content currency in a fast-evolving field.

"Some content felt slightly outdated, especially concerning newer threats and tools in cybersecurity."

"I hope the course gets updated regularly, as cybersecurity is such a rapidly changing field."

"The fundamental principles are solid, but I felt some examples of tools or policies could be more current."

May lack advanced technical depth for experienced users.

"While a good introduction, I found it lacked the deep technical dive or hands-on coding I had hoped for."

"For someone with prior cybersecurity knowledge, some parts of the course felt a bit superficial."

"It's a good overview, but I'd need more advanced resources for in-depth vulnerability analysis or system hardening."

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 for Data Science with these activities:

Review data science basics

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Build a stronger foundation in data science concepts to better prepare for the course.

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Review foundational concepts in data science, such as data collection, cleaning, and analysis.
Practice basic data analysis techniques, such as descriptive statistics and data visualization.

Review cybersecurity fundamentals

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Helps students strengthen their foundational understanding of cybersecurity concepts essential for this course.

Browse courses on Cybersecurity Essentials

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Research and identify reputable online resources
Explore beginner-friendly tutorials on core cybersecurity principles

Participate in a cybersecurity awareness workshop

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Provides opportunities to share knowledge, engage with cybersecurity professionals, and raise awareness of cybersecurity issues.

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Identify and locate local cybersecurity awareness workshops
Attend and actively participate in the workshop

11 other activities

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Review basic networking concepts

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Reviewing basic networking concepts will strengthen your understanding of the foundations of cybersecurity.

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Review network topologies and architectures
Explain the functions of common networking devices (e.g., routers, switches, firewalls)
Describe the different layers of the OSI model

Lead a study group or mentor junior students in cybersecurity

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Fosters leadership and communication skills while reinforcing cybersecurity concepts through teaching and mentoring others.

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Identify opportunities to lead study groups or mentor junior students
Prepare materials and organize study sessions

Create a cybersecurity glossary

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Solidify understanding of key cybersecurity terms and concepts by creating a personal glossary.

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Identify and define the most important cybersecurity terms and concepts covered in the course.
Organize the terms into a logical structure, such as categories or alphabetical order.
Provide clear and concise definitions for each term, using examples and illustrations where appropriate.

Solve cybersecurity puzzles and challenges

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Solving cybersecurity puzzles and challenges will help you develop critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities in the field of cybersecurity.

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Find and attempt online cybersecurity puzzles
Participate in cybersecurity competitions or hackathons

Execute hands-on exercises in basic cryptography

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Provides practical experience in using cryptography, which is crucial for securing data in cybersecurity.

Browse courses on Cryptographic Tools

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Locate interactive online platforms or textbooks with cryptography exercises
Attempt various levels of exercises to practice key concepts
Review and analyze solutions to deepen understanding

Participate in a cybersecurity discussion group

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Engage with peers to discuss cybersecurity issues, share knowledge, and learn from different perspectives.

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Join an online or in-person cybersecurity discussion group or forum.
Actively participate in discussions, ask questions, and share insights.
Collaborate with other members on projects or research related to cybersecurity.

Complete online tutorials on cryptography

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Develop a deeper understanding of cryptography techniques used in data science and cybersecurity.

Browse courses on Encryption Algorithms

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Find online tutorials or courses on cryptography, such as those offered by Coursera, edX, or Udemy.
Complete the tutorials, following the instructions and completing any exercises or assignments.
Apply the knowledge gained from the tutorials to practical cybersecurity scenarios.

Develop a cybersecurity risk assessment plan

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Enhances students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills in identifying and addressing cybersecurity risks.

Browse courses on Cybersecurity Risk Assessment

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Identify the scope and objectives of the risk assessment
Gather and analyze relevant data using appropriate tools
Evaluate risks and prioritize mitigation strategies
Create a comprehensive risk assessment plan

Document cybersecurity best practices for a specific industry

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Promotes understanding of cybersecurity best practices and their application in various industries, fostering practical knowledge.

Browse courses on Cybersecurity Best Practices

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Choose an industry and research its unique cybersecurity challenges
Identify and analyze relevant cybersecurity best practices
Create a comprehensive document outlining the best practices and their implementation

Participate in a cybersecurity hacking competition

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Challenges students to apply cybersecurity knowledge in a competitive environment, fostering problem-solving and critical thinking.

Browse courses on Ethical Hacking

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Identify and register for reputable cybersecurity hacking competitions
Prepare and practice cybersecurity techniques to enhance skills
Participate in the competition and analyze results to improve strategies

Contribute to an open-source cybersecurity project

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Encourages students to engage with the cybersecurity community, learn from others, and contribute to the development of open-source cybersecurity tools.

Browse courses on Software Development

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Identify and select an open-source cybersecurity project to contribute to
Review the project's documentation and contribute code or documentation

Career center

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

Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity Analysts implement and monitor security measures to protect their company's computer networks and information systems. This course may be useful for individuals interested in this role, as it provides a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and principles including cryptography, software resources, and policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts plan and implement security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems. This course may be useful for individuals interested in this role, as it provides a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and principles including cryptography, software resources, and policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Security Consultant

Security Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on how to protect their computer networks and systems from cybersecurity threats. This course may be useful for individuals interested in this role, as it provides a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and principles including cryptography, software resources, and policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Consultant

Network Security Engineer

Network Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain security measures to protect an organization's computer networks. This course may be useful for individuals interested in this role, as it provides a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and principles including cryptography, software resources, and policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract knowledge and insights from data in various forms, both structured and unstructured. This course may be useful for individuals interested in this role, as it provides a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and principles including cryptography, software resources, and policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to help organizations make informed decisions. This course may be useful for individuals interested in this role, as it provides a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and principles including cryptography, software resources, and policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Database Administrator

Database Administrators oversee the administration and maintenance of databases. This course may be useful for individuals interested in this role, as it provides a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and principles including cryptography, software resources, and policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators maintain and oversee the operation of computer systems. This course may be useful for individuals interested in this role, as it provides a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and principles including cryptography, software resources, and policies.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain computer software. This course may be useful for individuals interested in this role, as it provides a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and principles including cryptography, software resources, and policies.

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Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers write and maintain computer programs. This course may be useful for individuals interested in this role, as it provides a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and principles including cryptography, software resources, and policies.

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Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites and web applications. This course may be useful for individuals interested in this role, as it provides a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and principles including cryptography, software resources, and policies.

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Information Technology Specialist

Information Technology Specialists provide technical support and advice to users of computer systems. This course may be useful for individuals interested in this role, as it provides a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and principles including cryptography, software resources, and policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Technology Specialist

Computer and Information Research Scientist

Computer and Information Research Scientists conduct research in the field of computer science and information technology. This course may be useful for individuals interested in this role, as it provides a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and principles including cryptography, software resources, and policies.

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Network and Computer Systems Administrator

Network and Computer Systems Administrators manage and maintain an organization's computer networks and systems. This course may be useful for individuals interested in this role, as it provides a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and principles including cryptography, software resources, and policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network and Computer Systems Administrator

Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer Hardware Engineers design, develop, and maintain computer hardware. This course may be useful for individuals interested in this role, as it provides a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and principles including cryptography, software resources, and policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Hardware Engineer