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Cyber Defense Architecture

Jeff Crume

With the cost of cyber breaches skyrocketing, robust cyber defense architecture is more critical than ever. Businesses need talented professionals with the right cyber defense skills! This course provides a comprehensive guide to detecting, responding to, and preventing cyberattacks across multiple security domains.

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With the cost of cyber breaches skyrocketing, robust cyber defense architecture is more critical than ever. Businesses need talented professionals with the right cyber defense skills! This course provides a comprehensive guide to detecting, responding to, and preventing cyberattacks across multiple security domains.

During the course, you’ll learn how to detect cyber threats using SIEM and XDR systems and utilizing advanced monitoring, analysis, and threat hunting techniques. You’ll gain insights into SOAR systems, automation, and orchestration, as well as breach notifications. You’ll build your understanding of IAM as the new perimeter of security and explore concepts like multifactor authentication (MFA) and privileged access management (PAM).

Additionally, you’ll delve into network security, looking at firewalls, VPNs, and SASE, alongside application security practices such as secure coding, vulnerability testing, and DevSecOps. Plus, you’ll learn about data security through governance, compliance, detection, and response strategies.

The course culminates in a hands-on final project where you'll design a secure network architecture and analyze real-world cybersecurity tools. Plus, a case study featuring IBM’s security solutions will deepen your understanding before you complete a final exam that will test your grasp of the fundamentals and key security concepts.

If you’re looking to build the job-ready skills in cyber defense architecture employers need, ENROLL TODAY and get ready to add in-demand skills to your resume in just 5 weeks!

Prerequisites: To enroll for this course you need to have a basic knowledge of networks, cloud computing, security concepts, and terminology.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Job-ready skills in cyber defense architecture supported by hands-on experience employers value in just 5 weeks.
  • The five foundational cybersecurity principles and the confidentiality, integrity, and availability (cia) triad.
  • Various security domains, including identity and access management (iam), endpoint security, network security, application security, and data security.
  • The core areas a cybersecurity architect must address to design a secure enterprise solution.
  • How to apply network security improvement techni

Syllabus

Module 1: Cybersecurity Architecture Overview
Video: Course Introduction
Reading: General Information
Reading: Learning Objectives and Syllabus
Read more
Reading: Grading Scheme
Reading: Module Introduction and Learning Objectives
Video: Five Principles to Follow (and One to Avoid)
Reading: Key Takeaways: Five Principles
Reading: How to implement least privilege security
Activity: Apply the concept of least privilege
Video: Fundamentals of Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability
Reading: Key Takeaways: CIA Fundamental
Reading: CIA Triad Infographic
Activity: Identify Compromised CIA Principles
Video: Roles and Tools
Reading: Key Takeaways: Roles and Tools
Reading: NIST CSF Framework
Module 1 Summary: Cybersecurity Architecture Overview
Practice Quiz: Cybersecurity Architecture Overview
Module 1 Glossary: Cybersecurity Architecture Overview
Module 1 Graded Quiz: Cybersecurity Architecture Overview
Module 2: Access Management and Endpoint Security
Video: Who Are You? Identity and Access Management Really Wants to Know
Reading: Key Takeaways: IAM
Reading: Understanding Multi-factor Authentication
Activity: Apply Multi-factor Authentication
Video: Endpoints Are the IT Front Door - Guard Them
Reading: Key Takeaways: Endpoint Security
Reading: A Quick Tour of IBM Event Endpoint Management
Activity: Implementing Endpoint Management
Module 2 Summary: Access Management and Endpoint Security
Practice Quiz: Access Management and Endpoint Security
Module 2 Glossary: Access Management and Endpoint Security
Module 2 Graded Quiz: Access Management and Endpoint Security
Module 3: Network, Application, and Data Security
Network Security
Reading: Key Takeaways: Network Security
Reading: Securing network infrastructure
Video: Lab Demo
Activity: Secure network diagram
Video: Application Security
Reading: Key Takeaways: Application Security
Reading: Secure coding practices
Video: Data Security
Reading: Key Takeaways: Data Security
Reading: Data Security: Why a proactive stance is best (IBM blog)
Reading: Quantum Safe Encryption
Module 3 Summary: Network, Application, and Data Security
Practice Quiz: Network, Application, and Data Security
Module 3 Glossary: Network, Application, and Data Security
Module 3 Graded Quiz: Network, Application, and Data Security
Module 4: Detection and Response
Video: Cybersecurity Architecture: Detection
Reading: Key Takeaways: Detection
Reading: Indicators of compromise
Reading: Threat Intelligence
Activity: Review Recent Security Threat Reports using X-Force Threat Exchange
Video: Cybersecurity Architecture: Response
Reading: Key Takeaways: Response
Reading: Incident Response Frameworks
Activity: Incident Response
Reading: Case Study - Stopping cyberattacks at a major international airport
Module 4 Summary: Detection and Response
Module 4 Practice Quiz: Detection and Response
Module 4 Glossary: Detection and Response
Module 4 Graded Quiz: Detection and Response
Module 5: Final Project, Exam, and Course Wrap-Up
Final Project: Recommendations to Improve Network Security
Final Project Graded Quiz: Recommendations to Improve Network Security
Reading: Case Study: Network Architecture Powered by IBM
Reading: Course Glossary: Cyber Defense Architecture
Final Exam: Cyber Defense Architecture
Reading: Course Summary
Reading: Congratulations and Next Steps
Reading: Thanks from the Course Team

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides a comprehensive overview of key security domains, including IAM, endpoint security, network security, application security, and data security, which are essential for cybersecurity architects
Culminates in a hands-on final project where learners design a secure network architecture and analyze real-world cybersecurity tools, offering practical experience
Explores SIEM and XDR systems, automation, and orchestration, as well as breach notifications, which are critical for detecting and responding to cyber threats
Requires a basic knowledge of networks, cloud computing, security concepts, and terminology, suggesting it is designed for those with some existing IT knowledge
Features a case study featuring IBM’s security solutions, which may provide valuable insights into real-world applications of cybersecurity principles
Examines network security, looking at firewalls, VPNs, and SASE, alongside application security practices such as secure coding, vulnerability testing, and DevSecOps

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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 Cyber Defense Architecture with these activities:
Review Networking Fundamentals
Solidify your understanding of networking concepts to better grasp network security principles covered in the course.
Browse courses on Networking Fundamentals
Show steps
  • Review the OSI model and TCP/IP suite.
  • Study common networking protocols (e.g., HTTP, DNS, SMTP).
  • Practice subnetting and IP addressing.
Review 'Practical Packet Analysis'
Learn how to analyze network traffic to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities.
View Practical Packet Analysis, 3rd Edition on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on packet capture and analysis techniques.
  • Practice analyzing sample network traffic captures using Wireshark.
  • Identify common network attacks based on packet analysis.
Write a Blog Post on IAM Best Practices
Reinforce your understanding of Identity and Access Management (IAM) by creating a blog post outlining best practices.
Browse courses on IAM
Show steps
  • Research current IAM best practices.
  • Outline the key topics to cover in your blog post.
  • Write a clear and concise blog post with examples.
  • Publish your blog post on a platform like Medium or LinkedIn.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Review 'Blue Team Handbook'
Learn about building and operating a security operations center (SOC) and improve your threat hunting skills.
View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on SIEM deployment and threat hunting.
  • Study the incident response procedures outlined in the book.
  • Apply the concepts learned to your own security environment.
Set up a Honeypot
Gain hands-on experience with threat detection by setting up and monitoring a honeypot.
Show steps
  • Choose a honeypot software (e.g., Cowrie, Honeytrap).
  • Deploy the honeypot on a virtual machine or cloud instance.
  • Configure the honeypot to simulate vulnerable services.
  • Monitor the honeypot logs for attack attempts.
Practice Incident Response Scenarios
Improve your incident response skills by practicing simulated scenarios.
Browse courses on Incident Response
Show steps
  • Find or create incident response scenarios (e.g., ransomware attack, data breach).
  • Work through each scenario, documenting your steps.
  • Analyze your performance and identify areas for improvement.
Design a Secure Network Architecture Diagram
Apply your knowledge of network security principles to design a secure network architecture.
Browse courses on network security
Show steps
  • Define the requirements for your network architecture.
  • Choose appropriate security technologies (e.g., firewalls, VPNs, intrusion detection systems).
  • Create a detailed network diagram using a tool like Visio or Lucidchart.
  • Document your design choices and security considerations.

Career center

Learners who complete Cyber Defense Architecture will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Security Architect
Security architects design and build an organization's security systems, and this course directly addresses their core responsibilities. It teaches how to design a secure network architecture, a crucial skill for any security architect. This course explores various security domains, including identity and access management, endpoint, network, application, and data security. A security architect needs a comprehensive view of all security domains, and this course may help provide that. The hands-on project in which students design a secure network architecture is particularly relevant, while the IBM case study gives the student insight into real-world examples.
See salaries and explore the career path for Security Architect
Network Security Engineer
Network security engineers are tasked with the protection of a company's computer networks, and this course in cyber defense architecture is well-suited to their needs. This course delves into network security concepts such as firewalls, VPNs, and SASE, all essential elements for a network security engineer. The course's understanding of network infrastructure and security protocols helps build a strong foundation for this role. The hands-on experience from the course may be useful in a network engineer's day-to-day responsibilities. This course's module on applying network security improvements in particular prepares a person well for a career as a network security engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer
Security Operations Center Analyst
A security operations center analyst works in the frontlines of cybersecurity by monitoring for and responding to security threats, and this course is applicable to their position. Security operations center analysts work with SIEM and XDR systems, as well as threat hunting and analysis, all of which are part of the course. The course's focus on detection and response techniques, along with its discussion of incident response frameworks, may be especially beneficial for a career as a security operations center analyst. This course can help provide the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively monitor, detect, and respond to cyber threats.
See salaries and explore the career path for Security Operations Center Analyst
Incident Responder
Incident responders handle security incidents when they occur, and this course may be quite useful to their work. Incident responders need a deep understanding of detection and response techniques, incident response frameworks, and threat intelligence. This course covers all of these critical areas. The course also delves into the use of security tools and technologies like SIEM and XDR systems, which are used by incident responders. This course's practical focus helps build the skills needed to effectively respond to security breaches. This course provides a good overview of the skills needed by an incident responder.
See salaries and explore the career path for Incident Responder
Cybersecurity Analyst
A cybersecurity analyst monitors and protects an organization's digital assets, and this course on cyber defense architecture may be useful in this pursuit. Cybersecurity analysts often work with SIEM and XDR systems, as well as threat hunting and analysis, all of which are covered in the course. Understanding network, application, and data security is crucial for a cybersecurity analyst, all of which are explored in the course modules. Taking this course can help develop a holistic view of security best practices that a cybersecurity analyst needs. The included case studies and final project also provide practical experience that enhances an analyst's ability to investigate and respond to security incidents.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst
Identity and Access Management Analyst
Identity and access management analysts are responsible for managing user identities and access rights within an organization, and this course can play a role in their skill development. This course provides a thorough introduction to identity and access management, including the use of multifactor authentication and privileged access management. An identity and access management analyst needs a strong understanding of security architecture, and this course touches on that. This course is particularly beneficial as it helps an identity and access management analyst understand access control in the context of the whole security infrastructure. The course's modules on IAM, multifactor authentication, and privileged access management may be particularly useful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Identity and Access Management Analyst
Security Consultant
Security consultants advise organizations on how to improve their security posture, and this course is useful in this role. A security consultant must have a broad knowledge of various security domains, which are all covered in this course. They regularly analyze threat landscapes and design mitigation strategies, as the course teaches. This course's content on detection, response, IAM, and network security helps prepare a security consultant to advise clients effectively. The inclusion of case studies and a final project provides real-world examples and practical application, useful for a practicing security consultant.
See salaries and explore the career path for Security Consultant
Threat Hunter
Threat hunters proactively search for malicious activities within an organization's network, and this course in cyber defense architecture is applicable to the role. This course covers threat detection using SIEM and XDR systems, and it also covers advanced monitoring and analysis techniques, skills that every threat hunter needs. Threat hunters must understand various security domains, which are all covered in this course. This course can help establish an understanding of security principles, as well as an ability to analyze threat data. This course can help a threat hunter better understand the threat landscape.
See salaries and explore the career path for Threat Hunter
Information Security Manager
Information security managers oversee an organization's security programs, and this course can be beneficial in understanding the technical aspects of cyber defense. This course covers various security domains, offering a broad overview relevant to the role of an information security manager. While an information security manager has less hands-on work, they design policies and strategies, and this course can help inform these decisions. An information security manager needs an understanding of risk management, threat detection, and response, all of which are covered in this course. A course like this helps build a foundation of technical knowlege which may be valuable for an information security manager.
See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Manager
DevSecOps Engineer
DevSecOps engineers integrate security into the software development lifecycle, and this course may be helpful in understanding the principles of security architecture. The course covers application security practices, such as secure coding and vulnerability testing, skills needed by a DevSecOps engineer. The course introduces the topic of DevSecOps, giving a basic understanding of the integration of security and development. This course's content on security architecture and response is useful to a DevSecOps engineer's ability to build secure and resilient software. A DevSecOps engineer will be able to make use of a course that teaches the fundamentals of security.
See salaries and explore the career path for DevSecOps Engineer
Application Security Engineer
Application security engineers focus on securing software applications, and this course can be helpful in building a better understanding of cyber defense architecture. While this course does not focus solely on application security, it does cover secure coding practices, vulnerability testing, and DevSecOps. An application security engineer must have a broad understanding of security principles. The course's content on incident response, threat detection, and security architecture can help provide a good understanding of how to build more secure applications. The course can be helpful since an application security engineer cannot work in a silo and thus needs a holistic perspective of the entire threat landscape.
See salaries and explore the career path for Application Security Engineer
Cloud Security Specialist
A cloud security specialist focuses on securing cloud-based environments, and this course on cyber defense architecture may be useful in this field. While not explicitly focused on cloud, the core security concepts taught here such as IAM, network security, and data protection are fundamental to protecting cloud infrastructure. A cloud security specialist designs secure cloud architectures, and the final project in this course helps build a foundation in design. Understanding how to apply principles like least privilege and multifactor authentication, covered in this course, is also essential for this role. This course can help build general cybersecurity skills useful in a cloud setting.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Specialist
Cybersecurity Compliance Analyst
Cybersecurity compliance analysts ensure that an organization adheres to industry regulations and security standards, and this course can improve their understanding of cybersecurity. This course covers data security, governance, and compliance, which are all crucial concepts for compliance analysts. The course also covers other security domains like network security and IAM, which are often part of regulatory frameworks. This course may be beneficial to a cybersecurity compliance analyst by building an understanding of what security principles and best practices need to be followed for compliance purposes. The course may also be beneficial in understanding how compliance is implemented in a technical context.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Compliance Analyst
Vulnerability Analyst
Vulnerability analysts identify weaknesses in an organization’s systems, and this course helps establish a foundation of security principles. This course covers methods for detection and response to vulnerabilities, and it may help build the understanding that a vulnerability analyst uses in everyday work. Vulnerability Analysts need to know how to apply security mechanisms and protocols, and this course provides fundamental concepts. The course's modules on network security and application security may be helpful to the work of a vulnerability analyst by providing the fundamentals for further learning and mastery.
See salaries and explore the career path for Vulnerability Analyst
Security Awareness Trainer
Security awareness trainers educate employees on cybersecurity best practices, and this course may be useful for the trainer's understanding of the material. This course provides a comprehensive overview of various security domains, all of which could be included in security awareness training. While this course does not focus on pedagogy, a trainer's understanding of the subject builds trust and confidence with their audience. An understanding of the principles of cybersecurity can help a security awareness trainer create better content. This course may be useful for a security awareness trainer by giving them a strong foundation of cybersecurity principles.
See salaries and explore the career path for Security Awareness Trainer

Reading list

We've selected two 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 Cyber Defense Architecture.
Cover image
Putting Knowledge to Work
Save
Comprehensive guide to building and operating a security operations center (SOC). It covers topics such as SIEM deployment, threat hunting, and incident response. This book is particularly useful for the detection and response sections of the course. It is commonly used by security analysts and SOC managers.
Putting Knowledge to Work
Paperback
Check
Putting Knowledge to Work
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Practical Packet Analysis, 3rd Edition
Save
Provides a practical guide to network traffic analysis using Wireshark. It is helpful for understanding network protocols and identifying security threats. This book is particularly useful for the network security sections of the course. It is commonly used by network administrators and security professionals.
Practical Packet Analysis, 3rd Edition
Paperback
Check
Practical Packet Analysis, 3rd Edition
Kindle Edition
Check

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Effort
2 to 3 hours per week for 5 weeks
Level
Intermediate
Via
edX
Institution
IBM
Instructor
Jeff Crume
Session
December 16, 2024 - January 30, 2026
Language
English
Transcript
English
Good to know
Provides a comprehensive overview of key security domains, including IAM, endpoint security, network security, application security, and data security, which are essential for cybersecurity architects
Culminates in a hands-on final project where learners design a secure network architecture and analyze real-world cybersecurity tools, offering practical experience
Explores SIEM and XDR systems, automation, and orchestration, as well as breach notifications, which are critical for detecting and responding to cyber threats
Requires a basic knowledge of networks, cloud computing, security concepts, and terminology, suggesting it is designed for those with some existing IT knowledge
Features a case study featuring IBM’s security solutions, which may provide valuable insights into real-world applications of cybersecurity principles
Examines network security, looking at firewalls, VPNs, and SASE, alongside application security practices such as secure coding, vulnerability testing, and DevSecOps
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