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

Explores cybersecurity fundamentals, making it suitable for beginners

Introduces the CIA Triad, a core concept in cybersecurity

Examines basic principles of cryptography, essential in cybersecurity

Provides a foundation for individuals seeking to enter the cybersecurity field

Does not require prior experience, making it accessible to diverse learners

Self-paced format allows for flexible learning

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:

Connect with cybersecurity professionals on LinkedIn

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Seek guidance and advice from experienced cybersecurity professionals.

Browse courses on Cybersecurity

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Create a LinkedIn profile and optimize it for cybersecurity.
Search for cybersecurity professionals in your field and follow them.
Reach out to individuals and introduce yourself.
Ask for advice and guidance on your cybersecurity career.

Volunteer at a cybersecurity non-profit organization

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Gain practical experience and make a meaningful contribution to the cybersecurity community.

Browse courses on Cybersecurity

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Research cybersecurity non-profit organizations.
Identify a suitable organization and apply for a volunteer position.
Commit to a regular volunteering schedule.

Explore cryptography tutorials on Khan Academy

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Reinforce your understanding of cryptography by following guided tutorials.

Browse courses on Cryptography

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Visit the Khan Academy website and search for cryptography tutorials.
Select a tutorial that aligns with your learning level.
Follow the tutorial and complete the practice exercises.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Solve Caesar Cipher practice problems

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Enhance your understanding of Caesar Cipher by practicing decoding and encoding messages.

Browse courses on Caesar Cipher

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Find a website or resource that offers Caesar Cipher practice problems.
Attempt to solve practice problems of varying difficulty levels.

Write a blog post explaining the CIA Triad

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Deepen your understanding by explaining the CIA Triad to others through a blog post.

Browse courses on CIA Triad

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Research the CIA Triad and its significance in cybersecurity.
Organize your thoughts and structure your blog post.
Write a clear and concise explanation of the CIA Triad.
Proofread and publish your blog post.

Design a cybersecurity awareness campaign

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Apply your knowledge of cybersecurity principles to create a campaign that educates others.

Browse courses on Cybersecurity

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Identify the target audience and their cybersecurity risks.
Research different cybersecurity awareness strategies.
Develop a comprehensive campaign plan.
Design and create campaign materials.

Build a personal cybersecurity tool using Python

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Apply your skills to create a practical cybersecurity tool.

Browse courses on Cybersecurity

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Identify a specific cybersecurity problem you want to solve.
Research and select the appropriate Python libraries.
Develop and implement the tool.
Test and refine your tool.

Career center

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

Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst is responsible for protecting an organization's computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. The course, Try It: Cybersecurity Basics, may be useful to someone in this field, as it can help them build a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and best practices. The course covers topics such as the CIA Triad, cryptography basics, and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Risk Analyst

A Risk Analyst assesses the potential risks to an organization's security and develops strategies to mitigate those risks. The course, Try It: Cybersecurity Basics, can help someone in this field by providing them with a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and best practices. The course covers topics such as the CIA Triad, cryptography basics, and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Analyst

Security Analyst

A Security Analyst is in charge of identifying and mitigating potential risks to an organization's security. The course, Try It: Cybersecurity Basics, can help someone in this field by providing them with a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and best practices. The course covers topics such as the CIA Triad, cryptography basics, and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Privacy Analyst

A Privacy Analyst is responsible for ensuring that an organization's data is collected and used in a compliant and ethical manner. The course, Try It: Cybersecurity Basics, can help someone in this field by providing them with a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and best practices. The course covers topics such as the CIA Triad, cryptography basics, and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Privacy Analyst

Data Protection Officer

A Data Protection Officer is responsible for ensuring that an organization's data is protected from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. The course, Try It: Cybersecurity Basics, can help someone in this field by providing them with a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and best practices. The course covers topics such as the CIA Triad, cryptography basics, and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Protection Officer

Network Security Engineer

A Network Security Engineer designs, implements, and maintains an organization's network security infrastructure. The course, Try It: Cybersecurity Basics, can help someone in this field by providing them with a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and best practices. The course covers topics such as the CIA Triad, cryptography basics, and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer

Security Consultant

A Security Consultant provides advice and guidance to organizations on how to improve their security posture. The course, Try It: Cybersecurity Basics, can help someone in this field by providing them with a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and best practices. The course covers topics such as the CIA Triad, cryptography basics, and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Consultant

Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst

A Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst collects and analyzes information about cyber threats to help organizations protect themselves. The course, Try It: Cybersecurity Basics, can help someone in this field by providing them with a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and best practices. The course covers topics such as the CIA Triad, cryptography basics, and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst

Incident Responder

An Incident Responder is responsible for responding to and mitigating cybersecurity incidents. The course, Try It: Cybersecurity Basics, can help someone in this field by providing them with a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and best practices. The course covers topics such as the CIA Triad, cryptography basics, and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Incident Responder

Cybersecurity Engineer

A Cybersecurity Engineer designs, implements, and maintains an organization's cybersecurity infrastructure. The course, Try It: Cybersecurity Basics, can help someone in this field by providing them with a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and best practices. The course covers topics such as the CIA Triad, cryptography basics, and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Engineer

Cloud Security Engineer

A Cloud Security Engineer designs, implements, and maintains an organization's cloud security infrastructure. The course, Try It: Cybersecurity Basics, can help someone in this field by providing them with a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and best practices. The course covers topics such as the CIA Triad, cryptography basics, and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Engineer

Penetration Tester

A Penetration Tester identifies and exploits vulnerabilities in an organization's security systems. The course, Try It: Cybersecurity Basics, can help someone in this field by providing them with a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and best practices. The course covers topics such as the CIA Triad, cryptography basics, and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

Computer Forensics Analyst

A Computer Forensics Analyst investigates computer crimes and cyberattacks. The course, Try It: Cybersecurity Basics, can help someone in this field by providing them with a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and best practices. The course covers topics such as the CIA Triad, cryptography basics, and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Forensics Analyst

Blockchain Developer

A Blockchain Developer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining blockchain applications. The course, Try It: Cybersecurity Basics, can help someone in this field by providing them with a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and best practices. The course covers topics such as the CIA Triad, cryptography basics, and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Blockchain Developer

Cybersecurity Auditor

A Cybersecurity Auditor assesses an organization's security posture and compliance with relevant regulations. The course, Try It: Cybersecurity Basics, can help someone in this field by providing them with a foundation in cybersecurity concepts and best practices. The course covers topics such as the CIA Triad, cryptography basics, and the daily responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals working in the field today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Auditor