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Try It

Cybersecurity Basics

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

Read more

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 the University of Denver. If you enroll in this Try It, your learner data will not be shared with the University of Denver unless you enroll in the Cybersecurity Boot Camp.

Enroll now

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.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Useful for career changers seeking to enter the cybersecurity field
Easy to navigate for learners new to cybersecurity
Taught by experts in the field
Provides a strong foundation in cybersecurity principles
Covers essential concepts such as the CIA Triad and cryptography
No prior knowledge or experience required

Save this course

Save Try It: Cybersecurity Basics 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 Try It: Cybersecurity Basics with these activities:
Review Cryptography Basics
Refresh your knowledge of cryptography concepts to build a solid foundation for the course.
Browse courses on Cryptography
Show steps
  • Revise the basics of plaintext, ciphertext, encryption, and decryption.
  • Review the concept of a cipher and how it works.
  • Explore different types of symmetric encryption algorithms.
Read an article to understand what is cryptography
Build a more solid foundation in the field and its terminology.
Browse courses on Cryptography
Show steps
  • Search for an article online titled, ‘What is Cryptography’
  • Read the article and make notes.
  • Summarize what you learned
Create a Cybersecurity Glossary
Solidify your understanding of key cybersecurity terms by creating a comprehensive glossary.
Show steps
  • Identify a list of essential cybersecurity terms covered in the course.
  • Define each term clearly and concisely.
  • Organize the terms alphabetically or by category.
  • Use visuals or examples to illustrate the concepts.
  • Share your glossary with others for feedback and revisions.
15 other activities
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Show all 18 activities
Cybersecurity Basic Knowledge Refresher
Review the basics of cybersecurity to solidify your knowledge and ensure you are prepared for the course.
Browse courses on Cybersecurity
Show steps
  • Review the CIA Triad and its importance in cybersecurity.
  • Explain the basic concepts of cryptography, including encryption and decryption.
  • Describe the different types of cyber threats and attacks.
Attend a local cybersecurity meetup
Build connections and stay up-to-date on industry trends.
Browse courses on Cyber Security
Show steps
  • Find a local cybersecurity meetup or conference
  • Attend the event and engage with other attendees
  • Exchange contacts and follow up with people you meet
Create flashcards on key terms
Enhance your memorization through active recall.
Show steps
  • Identify key terms
  • Create flashcards with the term on one side and the definition on the other.
  • Review the flashcards regularly to improve retention.
Cybersecurity Practice Problems
Solve practice problems and participate in online challenges to test your comprehension of cybersecurity concepts.
Browse courses on Cybersecurity
Show steps
  • Find practice problems and online challenges on websites or platforms dedicated to cybersecurity education.
  • Attempt to solve the problems and challenges using the knowledge gained from the course.
  • Analyze your results and identify areas for improvement.
Study Group Discussions
Participate in study group discussions to engage with peers, share knowledge, and reinforce your understanding.
Browse courses on Cybersecurity
Show steps
  • Find or create a study group with other students in the course.
  • Meet regularly to discuss the course material, ask questions, and work on practice problems together.
  • Take turns presenting on different topics to enhance your understanding and communication skills.
Create a study guide for the CIA Triad
Organize your notes and enhance your understanding.
Browse courses on CIA Triad
Show steps
  • Review course materials and notes on the CIA Triad
  • Organize the information into a structured study guide
  • Include key concepts, examples, and practice questions
Explore Advanced Cybersecurity Tools
Expand your knowledge and skills by exploring additional cybersecurity tools.
Show steps
  • Identify specific cybersecurity tools that align with your interests or career goals.
  • Find online tutorials or courses that provide guidance on using these tools.
  • Follow the tutorials and practice using the tools in a controlled environment.
  • Apply your newfound knowledge to your cybersecurity projects or assignments.
Cryptography Tutorials
Explore tutorials on cryptography to enhance your understanding of the concepts covered in the course.
Browse courses on Cryptography
Show steps
  • Find tutorials on online platforms or educational websites.
  • Follow the tutorials to learn about different cryptographic algorithms and techniques.
  • Practice using cryptography tools and libraries.
Explore different types of symmetric encryption
Expand your knowledge of the topic.
Browse courses on Symmetric Encryption
Show steps
  • Research online for ‘types of symmetric encryption’
  • Compare and contrast different symmetric algorithms
  • Take notes of your findings
Cybersecurity Vulnerability Assessment Project
Start a project to conduct a vulnerability assessment on a real-world system, applying the cybersecurity principles and techniques learned in the course.
Browse courses on Cybersecurity
Show steps
  • Identify and select a target system or application for the vulnerability assessment.
  • Use scanning tools and techniques to identify potential vulnerabilities.
  • Analyze the results and prioritize the vulnerabilities based on their severity.
  • Develop a plan to mitigate the vulnerabilities.
Volunteer for a non-profit that focuses on cybersecurity awareness
Give back to the community while gaining practical experience.
Browse courses on Cybersecurity Awareness
Show steps
  • Research non-profits in your area that focus on cybersecurity awareness
  • Contact the organization to inquire about volunteer opportunities
  • Attend training and participate in volunteer activities
Build a Small Cybersecurity Project
Apply your understanding of cybersecurity principles by creating a practical project.
Show steps
  • Identify a simple cybersecurity problem or challenge.
  • Design a solution that leverages the concepts covered in the course.
  • Implement the solution using appropriate tools and technologies.
  • Test and refine your project to ensure it meets the requirements.
  • Share your project with others for feedback and insights.
Practice designing a Caesar cipher tool
Gain hands-on experience by creating a practical tool.
Browse courses on Caesar Cipher
Show steps
  • Plan and design a simple website with a text box for the user input
  • Write code to encrypt and decrypt the user input
  • Test the code to ensure it encrypts and decrypts properly
Cybersecurity Blog Post
Create a blog post summarizing the key concepts of cybersecurity covered in the course to reinforce your learning.
Browse courses on Cybersecurity
Show steps
  • Choose a specific topic related to cybersecurity, such as the CIA Triad or cryptography.
  • Research and gather information from reliable sources.
  • Write a well-structured blog post that explains the topic clearly and concisely.
  • Publish your blog post on a relevant platform.
Contribute to a cybersecurity project on GitHub
Gain real-world experience and build your portfolio.
Browse courses on Cyber Security
Show steps
  • Search for open source cybersecurity projects online.
  • Identify a project you are interested in contributing to.
  • Read the project's documentation and contribute in a meaningful way

Career center

Learners who complete Try It: Cybersecurity Basics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Cybersecurity Researcher
Cybersecurity Researchers develop new cybersecurity technologies and techniques. They also study the latest cybersecurity threats and trends. The Try It: Cybersecurity Basics course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity concepts, such as the CIA Triad and cryptography. This knowledge can be helpful for Cybersecurity Researchers who need to understand the basics of cybersecurity in order to effectively develop new cybersecurity technologies and techniques.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Researcher
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analysts design, implement, and maintain security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems. They monitor and analyze security systems for vulnerabilities and threats. The Try It: Cybersecurity Basics course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity concepts, such as the CIA Triad and cryptography. This knowledge can be helpful for Information Security Analysts who need to understand the basics of cybersecurity in order to protect their organization's networks and systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst
Security Engineer
Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain security measures to protect their organization's computer networks and systems. They also monitor and analyze security systems for vulnerabilities and threats. The Try It: Cybersecurity Basics course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity concepts, such as the CIA Triad and cryptography. This knowledge can be helpful for Security Engineers who need to understand the basics of cybersecurity in order to protect their organization's networks and systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer
Security Analyst
Security Analysts monitor and analyze security systems for vulnerabilities and threats. They also develop and implement security measures to protect their organization's computer networks and systems. The Try It: Cybersecurity Basics course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity concepts, such as the CIA Triad and cryptography. This knowledge can be helpful for Security Analysts who need to understand the basics of cybersecurity in order to protect their organization's networks and systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity Analysts plan and implement security measures to protect their organization's computer networks and systems. They monitor and analyze security systems for vulnerabilities and threats. The Try It: Cybersecurity Basics course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity concepts, such as the CIA Triad and cryptography. This knowledge can be helpful for Cybersecurity Analysts who need to understand the basics of cybersecurity in order to protect their organization's networks and systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst
Network Security Engineer
Network Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain security measures to protect their organization's computer networks and systems. They also monitor and analyze security systems for vulnerabilities and threats. The Try It: Cybersecurity Basics course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity concepts, such as the CIA Triad and cryptography. This knowledge can be helpful for Network Security Engineers who need to understand the basics of cybersecurity in order to protect their organization's networks and systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer
Security Consultant
Security Consultants provide security advice and guidance to organizations. They help organizations to identify and mitigate security risks. The Try It: Cybersecurity Basics course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity concepts, such as the CIA Triad and cryptography. This knowledge can be helpful for Security Consultants who need to understand the basics of cybersecurity in order to provide sound advice to their clients.
See salaries and explore the career path for Security Consultant
Cloud Security Engineer
Cloud Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain security measures to protect their organization's cloud-based computer networks and systems. They also monitor and analyze security systems for vulnerabilities and threats. The Try It: Cybersecurity Basics course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity concepts, such as the CIA Triad and cryptography. This knowledge can be helpful for Cloud Security Engineers who need to understand the basics of cybersecurity in order to protect their organization's cloud-based networks and systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Engineer
Penetration Tester
Penetration Testers identify and exploit vulnerabilities in computer networks and systems. They use this information to help organizations to improve their security. The Try It: Cybersecurity Basics course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity concepts, such as the CIA Triad and cryptography. This knowledge can be helpful for Penetration Testers who need to understand the basics of cybersecurity in order to effectively identify and exploit vulnerabilities.
See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester
Malware Analyst
Malware Analysts analyze malware to identify its purpose and behavior. They use this information to help organizations to develop and implement effective security measures. The Try It: Cybersecurity Basics course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity concepts, such as the CIA Triad and cryptography. This knowledge can be helpful for Malware Analysts who need to understand the basics of cybersecurity in order to effectively analyze malware.
See salaries and explore the career path for Malware Analyst
Security Architect
Security Architects design and implement security solutions for organizations. They work with stakeholders to identify and mitigate security risks. The Try It: Cybersecurity Basics course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity concepts, such as the CIA Triad and cryptography. This knowledge can be helpful for Security Architects who need to understand the basics of cybersecurity in order to design and implement effective security solutions.
See salaries and explore the career path for Security Architect
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) are responsible for the overall security of an organization's information systems. They develop and implement security policies and procedures, and they oversee the organization's security staff. The Try It: Cybersecurity Basics course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity concepts, such as the CIA Triad and cryptography. This knowledge can be helpful for CISOs who need to understand the basics of cybersecurity in order to effectively lead their organization's security program.
See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Cybersecurity Manager
Cybersecurity Managers are responsible for managing the security of an organization's computer networks and systems. They oversee the implementation of security measures, and they monitor and analyze security systems for vulnerabilities and threats. The Try It: Cybersecurity Basics course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity concepts, such as the CIA Triad and cryptography. This knowledge can be helpful for Cybersecurity Managers who need to understand the basics of cybersecurity in order to effectively manage their organization's security program.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Manager
Computer Forensic Analyst
Computer Forensic Analysts investigate computer crimes and cyber attacks. They collect and analyze evidence from computers and other electronic devices. The Try It: Cybersecurity Basics course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity concepts, such as the CIA Triad and cryptography. This knowledge can be helpful for Computer Forensic Analysts who need to understand the basics of cybersecurity in order to effectively investigate computer crimes and cyber attacks.
See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Forensic Analyst
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to identify trends and patterns. They use this information to help organizations to make better decisions. While not a traditional cybersecurity role, Data Analysts can play an important role in cybersecurity by helping organizations to identify and mitigate security risks. The Try It: Cybersecurity Basics course can help Data Analysts to build a foundation in cybersecurity concepts, such as the CIA Triad and cryptography. This knowledge can be helpful for Data Analysts who want to work in the cybersecurity field.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Reading list

We've selected nine 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 Try It: Cybersecurity Basics.
Cover image
CCNP Security Virtual Private Networks SVPN 300-730...
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of cybersecurity fundamentals, making it a great starting point for those new to the field. It covers topics such as network security, cryptography, and malware protection.
CCNP Security Virtual Private Networks SVPN 300-730...
Hardcover
$$
CCNP Security Virtual Private Networks SVPN 300-730...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Practical Malware Analysis
Save
Provides a practical guide to malware analysis. It covers a wide range of topics, from malware identification to reverse engineering.
Practical Malware Analysis: The Hands-On Guide to...
Paperback
$$
Practical Malware Analysis: The Hands-On Guide to...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
MIS 11
Save
Comprehensive reference guide to information security, covering a wide range of topics from risk management to cloud security. It valuable resource for cybersecurity professionals who want to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices.
MIS 11
Paperback
Check
MIS 11
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Information Security Management Handbook, Sixth...
Save
Comprehensive reference guide to information security management. It covers a wide range of topics, from risk assessment to disaster recovery.
Information Security Management Handbook, Sixth...
Paperback
Check
Information Security Management Handbook, Sixth...
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Modern Cryptography
Save
Takes a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, covering topics from risk management to incident response.
Modern Cryptography: Theory and Practice
Hardcover
$$$
Modern Cryptography: Theory and Practice
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Network Security Assessment
Save
Provides a step-by-step guide to network security assessment. It covers a wide range of topics, from network scanning to vulnerability assessment.
Network Security Assessment: Know Your Network
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Algebraic Aspects of Cryptography
Save
Provides a clear and concise introduction to cryptography, covering both classical and modern techniques. It valuable resource for those who want to understand the fundamentals of cryptography and its role in cybersecurity.
Algebraic Aspects of Cryptography
Paperback
Check
Algebraic Aspects of Cryptography
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Cryptography Engineering
Save
Comprehensive reference guide to cryptography algorithms and protocols. It valuable resource for those who want to understand the details of cryptography and its implementation.
Cryptography Engineering: Design Principles and...
Paperback
$$
Cryptography Engineering: Design Principles and...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Fermat's Enigma
Save
Provides a fascinating history of cryptography, from its ancient origins to modern applications. It great read for those who want to understand the evolution of cryptography and its cultural impact.
Fermat's Enigma
Paperback
Check
Fermat's Enigma
Kindle Edition
Check

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Course image
Effort
1 to 2 hours per week for 1 week
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
University of Denver
Language
English
Transcript
English
Good to know
Useful for career changers seeking to enter the cybersecurity field
Easy to navigate for learners new to cybersecurity
Taught by experts in the field
Provides a strong foundation in cybersecurity principles
Covers essential concepts such as the CIA Triad and cryptography
No prior knowledge or experience required
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