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Michael Biocchi
Come join over 40,000 students in learning about computer security.
Read more
Come join over 40,000 students in learning about computer security.
Read more
Come join over 40,000 students in learning about computer security.
Security Awareness Training is a course that everyone can benefit from. This course will discuss security and privacy in regard to our personal devices, the passwords we use, phishing attacks and suspicious URLs, social engineering, data leakage, and some general tips for staying safe online. These topics are relevant today and are incredibly important to protect yourself and your data. We have all seen the stats and watched the news. Attacks, especially ransomware, are on the rise and we need to make sure we're staying safe and secure. It all starts with learning the basics, which is what this course is about.
This course is offered at a basic level and it is not a technical course. Anyone who wants to learn more about security and privacy will benefit from taking this course. You don't need to be a computer science major to take this. The course is taught mostly through video and there are quizzes at the end of each section. The video portion of the course is around 2 hours and the whole course should take around 3 hours to complete. I'll always be around to answer any questions you have.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/qd31bp/security
What's inside
Learning objectives
- Discover new knowledge about online security and privacy!
- Determine if your password is secure enough and learn an easy method to creating long passwords that are easy to remember!
- Spot the differences between a real email and a scam email!
- Discover methods to browsing the web safe!
- Communicate through email more securely and learn to avoid accidental data leakage!
- Discover new knowledge about online security and privacy!
- Determine if your password is secure enough and learn an easy method to creating long passwords that are easy to remember!
- Spot the differences between a real email and a scam email!
- Discover methods to browsing the web safe!
- Communicate through email more securely and learn to avoid accidental data leakage!
Syllabus
Security Awareness Training
Why take this course? Security Awareness Training is a vital part of security. As an employee (or even if you are just taking this course out of interest), you may have access to information and data that may be confidential or sensitive. It is critical that you know how to not only protect that information, but also on how to protect yourself and your workstation. IT Security is the responsibility of protecting information and is the responsibility of everyone.
The Security Awareness Training program was created to raise awareness about information security and security best practices. This course was created to help you protect sensitive data, protect yourself, and if you are employed, then to protect your employer.
Read more
Syllabus
Security Awareness Training
Why take this course? Security Awareness Training is a vital part of security. As an employee (or even if you are just taking this course out of interest), you may have access to information and data that may be confidential or sensitive. It is critical that you know how to not only protect that information, but also on how to protect yourself and your workstation. IT Security is the responsibility of protecting information and is the responsibility of everyone.
The Security Awareness Training program was created to raise awareness about information security and security best practices. This course was created to help you protect sensitive data, protect yourself, and if you are employed, then to protect your employer.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Introduces general security tips and advice
Discusses various security topics that are essential knowledge for all
Covers common security threats and attacks to help learners protect themselves online
Provides practical guidance on how to browse the web safely
Teaches learners how to identify and avoid social engineering attacks
Emphasis on awareness and prevention, making it suitable for non-technical individuals
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Reviews summary
Essential basic online security awareness
According to learners, this course offers an excellent, accessible introduction to online security and privacy. Students consistently praise its clear and concise explanations, making complex topics easy to understand for non-technical users and absolute beginners. The curriculum, which covers critical areas like phishing, passwords, social engineering, and safe browsing, is seen as highly practical and relevant for everyday online safety. While many appreciate its efficient, bite-sized modules and find it perfect for busy schedules, a minority of more experienced students found the content too basic and lacking in-depth technical detail. Overall, it's considered an indispensable course for general security awareness.
Instructor actively supports learners, answering questions promptly.
"Great instructor, very responsive to questions."
"I appreciate how quickly the instructor responded to my question about a specific phishing example."
"The instructor's teaching style is clear."
Efficient delivery of information, fitting busy schedules.
"The course is very well structured and easy to follow."
"It’s concise, which is great for busy schedules, but don't expect deep dives into any topic."
"I feel much more confident navigating online after taking this. The quizzes reinforced the learning effectively."
"Really impressed with how much I learned in such a short time. Practical, easy to understand, and engaging."
Provides actionable advice for real-world online safety.
"Absolutely essential training for anyone, especially now with so many online threats. The phishing section was incredibly useful..."
"The segment on strong passwords was particularly helpful."
"Clear, concise, and incredibly relevant. The video lectures were engaging and the content on ransomware was timely."
"Every module was packed with actionable advice. I particularly liked the password creation strategy. It's easy to remember and implement."
Course provides clear, essential security knowledge for novices.
"The course is very well structured and easy to follow. Highly recommend for both personal use and for companies wanting to train their staff."
"Good basic security overview. As someone in a non-technical role, I found the explanations clear and the examples relatable."
"Fantastic course! I feel much more confident navigating online after taking this. It's beginner-friendly and doesn't overwhelm you with jargon."
"It's perfect for awareness, but you’ll need more if you want to be a security pro."
Content may lack depth for those with existing security knowledge.
"It's okay. Very basic. If you already know the difference between HTTP and HTTPS or what a VPN is, this might be too elementary for you."
"Disappointed. I work in IT and this was way too basic for me. I skimmed through most of it. There's nothing new here if you have any background in security."
"I was hoping for a bit more detail, but it does cover the essentials."
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 Security Awareness Training with these
activities:
Review system fundamentals
Show steps
Review primary concepts of computer security before the course to refresh your knowledge and build a stronger foundation for the course material.
Browse courses on
Security Awareness
Show steps
-
Review terms like authentication, authorization, and encryption.
-
Recall various threats to computer security, like phishing and ransomware.
Compile a list of cybersecurity tools and resources
Show steps
Explore available cybersecurity tools to strengthen your understanding of security measures and best practices.
Browse courses on
Cybersecurity Tools
Show steps
-
Research and identify reputable cybersecurity tools and resources.
-
Categorize and organize the resources based on their functionality.
Follow tutorials on password security
Show steps
Complete guided tutorials on strong password creation, management, and best practices to enhance your overall account security and protect your data.
Browse courses on
Password Security
Show steps
-
Locate reputable tutorials on password security.
-
Follow the instructions and practice creating strong and memorable passwords.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Identify phishing emails
Show steps
Complete this exercise to reinforce your knowledge of identifying malicious emails and avoid falling victim to phishing scams.
Browse courses on
Phishing
Show steps
-
Examine email headers and sender addresses for suspicious patterns.
-
Inspect email body for grammatical errors and suspicious links.
Practice safe browsing techniques
Show steps
Engage in practical exercises to develop and reinforce safe browsing habits, mitigating risks and protecting your online presence.
Browse courses on
Safe Browsing
Show steps
-
Configure security settings on your browser.
-
Identify and avoid suspicious websites and links.
Organize a study group for social engineering
Show steps
Engage in group discussions and role-playing scenarios to develop a deeper understanding of social engineering techniques and strategies for protection.
Browse courses on
Social Engineering
Show steps
-
Gather a group of peers who are interested in exploring social engineering.
-
Facilitate discussions on case studies and real-world examples.
-
Conduct mock phishing and social engineering attacks to practice defense mechanisms.
Design a poster on data leakage prevention
Show steps
Engage in creative thinking and consolidate your understanding of data leakage prevention by creating a comprehensive visual summary.
Browse courses on
Data Leakage
Show steps
-
List common causes and risks of data leakage.
-
Describe best practices for preventing data leakage.
-
Create a visually appealing poster that effectively communicates key points.
Review system fundamentals
Show steps
Review primary concepts of computer security before the course to refresh your knowledge and build a stronger foundation for the course material.
Browse courses on
Security Awareness
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review terms like authentication, authorization, and encryption.
- Recall various threats to computer security, like phishing and ransomware.
Compile a list of cybersecurity tools and resources
Show steps
Explore available cybersecurity tools to strengthen your understanding of security measures and best practices.
Browse courses on
Cybersecurity Tools
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research and identify reputable cybersecurity tools and resources.
- Categorize and organize the resources based on their functionality.
Follow tutorials on password security
Show steps
Complete guided tutorials on strong password creation, management, and best practices to enhance your overall account security and protect your data.
Browse courses on
Password Security
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Locate reputable tutorials on password security.
- Follow the instructions and practice creating strong and memorable passwords.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Identify phishing emails
Show steps
Complete this exercise to reinforce your knowledge of identifying malicious emails and avoid falling victim to phishing scams.
Browse courses on
Phishing
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Examine email headers and sender addresses for suspicious patterns.
- Inspect email body for grammatical errors and suspicious links.
Practice safe browsing techniques
Show steps
Engage in practical exercises to develop and reinforce safe browsing habits, mitigating risks and protecting your online presence.
Browse courses on
Safe Browsing
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Configure security settings on your browser.
- Identify and avoid suspicious websites and links.
Organize a study group for social engineering
Show steps
Engage in group discussions and role-playing scenarios to develop a deeper understanding of social engineering techniques and strategies for protection.
Browse courses on
Social Engineering
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Gather a group of peers who are interested in exploring social engineering.
- Facilitate discussions on case studies and real-world examples.
- Conduct mock phishing and social engineering attacks to practice defense mechanisms.
Design a poster on data leakage prevention
Show steps
Engage in creative thinking and consolidate your understanding of data leakage prevention by creating a comprehensive visual summary.
Browse courses on
Data Leakage
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- List common causes and risks of data leakage.
- Describe best practices for preventing data leakage.
- Create a visually appealing poster that effectively communicates key points.
Career center
Learners who complete Security Awareness Training will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analyst
An Information Security Analyst is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining security measures to protect an organization's information and systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in information security concepts and best practices, including phishing, social engineering, data leakage, and password management.
Security Consultant
Security Consultant
A Security Consultant provides advice and guidance to organizations on how to protect their information and systems from security threats. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in information security concepts and best practices, including phishing, social engineering, data leakage, and password management.
IT Auditor
IT Auditor
An IT Auditor is responsible for evaluating an organization's information security controls and practices to ensure that they are adequate and effective. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in information security concepts and best practices, including phishing, social engineering, data leakage, and password management.
Penetration Tester
Penetration Tester
A Penetration Tester is responsible for testing an organization's information security controls and practices to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in information security concepts and best practices, including phishing, social engineering, data leakage, and password management.
Security Engineer
Security Engineer
A Security Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining security measures to protect an organization's information and systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in information security concepts and best practices, including phishing, social engineering, data leakage, and password management.
SOC Analyst
SOC Analyst
A SOC Analyst is responsible for monitoring and analyzing security events to identify and respond to threats. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in information security concepts and best practices, including phishing, social engineering, data leakage, and password management.
Forensic Analyst
Forensic Analyst
A Forensic Analyst is responsible for investigating and analyzing security incidents to determine the cause and scope of the incident and to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in information security concepts and best practices, including phishing, social engineering, data leakage, and password management.
Malware Analyst
Malware Analyst
A Malware Analyst is responsible for analyzing malware to identify its purpose, functionality, and potential impact. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in information security concepts and best practices, including phishing, social engineering, data leakage, and password management.
Vulnerability Manager
Vulnerability Manager
A Vulnerability Manager is responsible for identifying and managing vulnerabilities in an organization's information and systems. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in information security concepts and best practices, including phishing, social engineering, data leakage, and password management.
Risk Manager
Risk Manager
A Risk Manager is responsible for assessing and managing risks to an organization's information and systems. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in information security concepts and best practices, including phishing, social engineering, data leakage, and password management.
Compliance Manager
Compliance Manager
A Compliance Manager is responsible for ensuring that an organization's information and systems comply with applicable laws and regulations. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in information security concepts and best practices, including phishing, social engineering, data leakage, and password management.
Privacy Manager
Privacy Manager
A Privacy Manager is responsible for developing and implementing privacy policies and procedures to protect an organization's personal data. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in information security concepts and best practices, including phishing, social engineering, data leakage, and password management.
Information Security Officer
Information Security Officer
An Information Security Officer is responsible for developing and implementing an organization's information security program. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in information security concepts and best practices, including phishing, social engineering, data leakage, and password management.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
A Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is responsible for leading and managing an organization's information security program. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in information security concepts and best practices, including phishing, social engineering, data leakage, and password management.
Cybersecurity Specialist
Cybersecurity Specialist
A Cybersecurity Specialist is responsible for providing a wide range of cybersecurity services to organizations, including security assessments, incident response, and security training. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in information security concepts and best practices, including phishing, social engineering, data leakage, and password management.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/qd31bp/security
Reading list
We've selected six 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
Security Awareness Training.
Focuses on mobile device security, which is briefly discussed in the course.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of cybersecurity.
This textbook provides foundational information on computer security.
Provides deep technical information on security engineering.
Offers supplemental information on risk management, based on the ISO 27000 series framework.
Provides a simplified overview of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/qd31bp/security
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