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Professor Peter Komisarczuk
The purpose of this short four-week course is to introduce the topic of computer system security. We initially look at a short basic introduction to computer system core components and functions and then extend this to consider a variety of topics from hardware to applications. Throughout we provide pointers to openly available materials for background and further reading to explore the topics. We refer to the Cyber Security Body of Knowledge (CyBOK) as a reference for cyber security knowledge, alongside other sources that are widely available.
Read more
The purpose of this short four-week course is to introduce the topic of computer system security. We initially look at a short basic introduction to computer system core components and functions and then extend this to consider a variety of topics from hardware to applications. Throughout we provide pointers to openly available materials for background and further reading to explore the topics. We refer to the Cyber Security Body of Knowledge (CyBOK) as a reference for cyber security knowledge, alongside other sources that are widely available.
Read more
The purpose of this short four-week course is to introduce the topic of computer system security. We initially look at a short basic introduction to computer system core components and functions and then extend this to consider a variety of topics from hardware to applications. Throughout we provide pointers to openly available materials for background and further reading to explore the topics. We refer to the Cyber Security Body of Knowledge (CyBOK) as a reference for cyber security knowledge, alongside other sources that are widely available.
In total, we have four weeks that cover this introduction to computer systems and security. No prior programming nor advanced mathematical knowledge Is required. There are a few examples of pseudocode and some basic computer logic (AND, OR, XOR, etc.) in our Week 1 Introduction to computer systems, but these are not essential to completing the course. In other lessons, we introduce basic concepts and provide pointers to online resources.
The course includes active learning through four lab sessions. The first lab introduces the Linux operating system in general by exploring the Linux desktop and applications provided in the Coursera lab environment hosted in the AWS cloud. The second lab looks at the Linux command line and explores some of the file system and gathers system information, for example to explore processes. The third lab explores the network information, the system connectivity, and uses some Python scripts and Wireshark to examine the TCP and UDP transport protocols and the web/HTTP application protocol. Lastly we explore more about the network services using the Nmap tool to explore the network services in the system.
The course is designed to provide a wide introduction to computer security, by outlining computer systems, including the operating system, programs, data and networking. We discuss some of the issues in computer security and introduce some of the vulnerabilities and threats as we progress through the four weeks. We include some optional readings and videos from a number of sources, including professional resources and vendor materials for additional study.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/pjtkx1/introduction
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What's inside
Syllabus
Introduction to Computer Systems and Security
In Week 1, we introduce computer systems and the need for security and services provided.
Computer Architecture and Operating Systems
Read more
Syllabus
Introduction to Computer Systems and Security
In Week 1, we introduce computer systems and the need for security and services provided.
Computer Architecture and Operating Systems
Read more
Week 2 continues our introduction to computer systems and security and allows us to explore computer systems and security further.
Operating systems control, authentication, authorisation and accounting
Week 3 provides an introduction to computer authentication, authorisation and accounting, which are key computer systems security functions.
Computer systems and networking
In week 4 we introduce networking, network protocols, some of the network features in the operating system and review computer system security.
Good to know
Good to know
Know what's good ,
what to watch for , and
possible dealbreakers
Introduces the topic of computer system security with a basic introduction to computer system core components and functions
Explores hardware to applications, providing pointers to openly available materials for background and further reading
Provides a good introduction to computer systems and security for beginners with no prior programming nor advanced mathematical knowledge required
Includes active learning through four lab sessions that cover the Linux operating system, Linux command line, network information, system connectivity, network services, and more
Outlines computer systems, including the operating system, programs, data, and networking, with a discussion of computer security issues, vulnerabilities, and threats
Provides real-world examples and case studies throughout in the four weeks of material
Save this course
Save Introduction to Computer Security to your list so you can find it easily later:
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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 Introduction to Computer Security with these
activities:
Review basic computer science concepts
Show steps
Review foundational computer science concepts to strengthen your understanding of the course material.
Show steps
-
Revisit programming language syntax and data structures.
-
Practice solving coding problems on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank.
Participate in discussion forums
Show steps
Engage with fellow students and the instructor in discussion forums to clarify concepts, share insights, and learn from others.
Show steps
-
Actively participate in the course discussion forums.
-
Ask questions and provide answers to help your peers.
Complete coding exercises
Show steps
Regularly practice coding exercises to improve your problem-solving skills and reinforce concepts covered in the course.
Show steps
-
Solve coding challenges in the Coursera lab environment.
-
Participate in online coding competitions.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Explore additional resources
Show steps
Enhance your understanding by seeking out external resources that provide further insights into the topics covered in the course.
Show steps
-
Watch YouTube videos on computer security best practices.
-
Read blog posts and articles from industry experts.
Install and configure a security tool
Show steps
Gain hands-on experience by installing and configuring a security tool to protect your own computer or a virtual environment.
Show steps
-
Research and select a reputable security tool.
-
Install and configure the tool according to best practices.
-
Test the tool's functionality and effectiveness.
Write a summary of a security topic
Show steps
Solidify your understanding by summarizing a specific security topic and sharing it with others.
Show steps
-
Choose a security topic of interest.
-
Research and gather information from credible sources.
-
Write a clear and concise summary.
-
Share your summary on a platform like Medium or LinkedIn.
Develop a security plan
Show steps
Apply your knowledge by creating a comprehensive security plan for a specific organization or system.
Show steps
-
Identify and assess potential security risks.
-
Design and implement appropriate security measures.
-
Document the security plan and present it to stakeholders.
Review basic computer science concepts
Show steps
Review foundational computer science concepts to strengthen your understanding of the course material.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Revisit programming language syntax and data structures.
- Practice solving coding problems on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank.
Participate in discussion forums
Show steps
Engage with fellow students and the instructor in discussion forums to clarify concepts, share insights, and learn from others.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Actively participate in the course discussion forums.
- Ask questions and provide answers to help your peers.
Complete coding exercises
Show steps
Regularly practice coding exercises to improve your problem-solving skills and reinforce concepts covered in the course.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Solve coding challenges in the Coursera lab environment.
- Participate in online coding competitions.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Explore additional resources
Show steps
Enhance your understanding by seeking out external resources that provide further insights into the topics covered in the course.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Watch YouTube videos on computer security best practices.
- Read blog posts and articles from industry experts.
Install and configure a security tool
Show steps
Gain hands-on experience by installing and configuring a security tool to protect your own computer or a virtual environment.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research and select a reputable security tool.
- Install and configure the tool according to best practices.
- Test the tool's functionality and effectiveness.
Write a summary of a security topic
Show steps
Solidify your understanding by summarizing a specific security topic and sharing it with others.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Choose a security topic of interest.
- Research and gather information from credible sources.
- Write a clear and concise summary.
- Share your summary on a platform like Medium or LinkedIn.
Develop a security plan
Show steps
Apply your knowledge by creating a comprehensive security plan for a specific organization or system.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify and assess potential security risks.
- Design and implement appropriate security measures.
- Document the security plan and present it to stakeholders.
Career center
Learners who complete Introduction to Computer Security will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity Analyst
A Cybersecurity Analyst protects computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course provides an overview of computer systems and security, including cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities. The labs in this course provide hands-on experience with Linux, networking, and security tools, which can be valuable for a Cybersecurity Analyst.
Security Analyst
Security Analyst
A Security Analyst investigates and responds to security incidents. This course provides an overview of computer systems and security, including vulnerabilities and threats. The labs in this course provide hands-on experience with Linux, networking, and security tools, which can be valuable for a Security Analyst.
Penetration Tester
Penetration Tester
A Penetration Tester evaluates the security of computer systems and networks by simulating attacks. This course provides an overview of computer systems and security, including penetration testing tools and techniques. The labs in this course provide hands-on experience with Linux, networking, and security tools, which can be valuable for a Penetration Tester.
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analyst
An Information Security Analyst develops and implements security measures to protect information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course provides an overview of computer systems and security, including security vulnerabilities and threats. The labs in this course provide hands-on experience with Linux, networking, and security tools, which can be valuable for an Information Security Analyst.
Network Security Engineer
Network Security Engineer
A Network Security Engineer designs, implements, and manages network security measures. This course provides an overview of computer systems and security, including network security protocols and threats. The labs in this course provide hands-on experience with Linux, networking, and security tools, which can be valuable for a Network Security Engineer.
IT Security Specialist
IT Security Specialist
An IT Security Specialist plans, implements, and manages security measures to protect computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course provides an overview of computer systems and security, including vulnerabilities and threats. The labs in this course provide hands-on experience with Linux, networking, and security tools, which can be valuable for an IT Security Specialist.
Security Consultant
Security Consultant
A Security Consultant advises clients on how to protect their computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course provides an overview of computer systems and security, including security vulnerabilities and threats. The labs in this course provide hands-on experience with Linux, networking, and security tools, which can be valuable for a Security Consultant.
Security Manager
Security Manager
A Security Manager is responsible for developing and implementing security policies and procedures for an organization. This course provides an overview of computer systems and security, including security vulnerabilities and threats. The labs in this course provide hands-on experience with Linux, networking, and security tools, which can be valuable for a Security Manager.
Computer Hardware Engineer
Computer Hardware Engineer
A Computer Hardware Engineer designs, develops, and tests computer hardware components and systems. This course provides an overview of computer systems and security, including hardware and operating systems. The labs in this course provide hands-on experience with Linux, networking, and security tools, which can be valuable for a Computer Hardware Engineer.
Systems Administrator
Systems Administrator
A Systems Administrator is responsible for maintaining and supporting computer systems and networks. This course provides an overview of computer systems and security, including system administration tools and techniques. The labs in this course provide hands-on experience with Linux, networking, and security tools, which can be valuable for a Systems Administrator.
Information Technology Auditor
Information Technology Auditor
An Information Technology Auditor evaluates the security of computer systems and networks. This course provides an overview of computer systems and security, including security vulnerabilities and threats. The labs in this course provide hands-on experience with Linux, networking, and security tools, which can be valuable for an Information Technology Auditor.
Software Engineer
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer designs, develops, and tests software applications. This course provides an overview of computer systems and security, including software security vulnerabilities and threats. The labs in this course provide hands-on experience with Linux, networking, and security tools, which can be valuable for a Software Engineer.
Computer Systems Analyst
Computer Systems Analyst
A Computer Systems Analyst plans, designs, and implements computer systems, including hardware, software, and networks. This course provides an overview of computer systems and security, including operating systems, authentication, authorization, and accounting. The labs in this course provide hands-on experience with Linux, networking, and security tools, which can be valuable for a Computer Systems Analyst.
Network Administrator
Network Administrator
A Network Administrator plans, implements, and manages computer networks. This course provides an overview of computer systems andセキュリティ, including networking and network protocols. The labs in this course provide hands-on experience with Linux, networking, and security tools, which can be valuable for a Network Administrator.
Web Developer
Web Developer
A Web Developer designs, develops, and maintains websites. This course provides an overview of computer systems and security, including web application security vulnerabilities and threats. The labs in this course provide hands-on experience with Linux, networking, and security tools, which can be valuable for a Web Developer.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/pjtkx1/introduction
Reading list
We've selected 12 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 Computer Security.
Save
Covers the foundational concepts in computer system security. Because of its broad coverage, it valuable supplemental resource to this course.
Covers foundational topics in information security, and could be helpful for expanding topics covered in this course.
Provides an introduction to cryptography and network security, which could supplement the computer security topics in this course.
Provides an ethical hacking perspective, and can help some of the computer security topics in this course.
Save
Provides beginner-friendly coverage of Linux system administration, which complements the Linux topics in this course.
Save
Provides a systems approach to computer networks, which complements the networking topics in this course.
Provides an introduction to operating systems concepts, complementing the operating systems coverage in this course.
Introduces network security using concepts and standards, and can help with the networking topics in this course.
Save
Covers cryptography and provides source code, which can help supplement the cryptography portion of this course.
Discusses security engineering and building dependable distributed systems. It can supplement the computer security portion of this course.
Introduces modern cryptography and is suitable for a graduate audience. It can provide advanced coverage of cryptography topics discussed in this course.
Provides a historical perspective on hackers and the computer revolution. It can be interesting supplemental reading for those interested in the history of computer security.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/pjtkx1/introduction
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Effort
Four weeks of study with 9-12 hours of learning material per week.
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institutions
University of London
Royal Holloway, University of London
Instructor
Professor Peter Komisarczuk
Language
English
This course belongs to a
collection
called
Cyber Security – Technology and Governance. It's comprised of four courses:
- Cybercrime
- Introduction to Network Security
- Security Management and Governance
- Introduction to Computer Security (viewing)
Good to know
Introduces the topic of computer system security with a basic introduction to computer system core components and functions
Explores hardware to applications, providing pointers to openly available materials for background and further reading
Provides a good introduction to computer systems and security for beginners with no prior programming nor advanced mathematical knowledge required
Includes active learning through four lab sessions that cover the Linux operating system, Linux command line, network information, system connectivity, network services, and more
Outlines computer systems, including the operating system, programs, data, and networking, with a discussion of computer security issues, vulnerabilities, and threats
Provides real-world examples and case studies throughout in the four weeks of material
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