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

Examines cybersecurity basics and how they apply to the IT field

Develops foundational knowledge in cybersecurity best practices

Strong fit for students who want to break into the cybersecurity industry

No prior experience or technical installations are required to join or complete this course

Suitable for beginners who want to learn the fundamentals of cybersecurity

Cybersecurity as a profession is projected to grow much faster than the national average for all occupations

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 Networking Fundamentals

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Revisit networking fundamentals to strengthen your understanding of cybersecurity concepts.

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Review the basics of network protocols, topologies, and architectures.
Understand the role of networking devices, such as routers, switches, and firewalls.
Explore network security concepts, including access control and intrusion detection.

Review preparatory material

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Review fundamental cybersecurity concepts prior to the course to strengthen foundational knowledge.

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Review key cybersecurity terminology and principles.
Read introductory materials on the CIA Triad and its applications.
Explore basic concepts of cryptography, including encryption and decryption.

Review Types of Encryption

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Review the different types of encryption to strengthen your foundation in cryptography.

Browse courses on Symmetric Encryption

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Revisit the concept of encryption and its importance in cybersecurity.
Explore various symmetric encryption algorithms, such as AES and DES.
Understand the principles and applications of asymmetric encryption, including RSA and ECC.
Review hashing algorithms, such as SHA-256 and MD5, and their role in data integrity.

11 other activities

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Explore online cybersecurity resources

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Seek out reputable online tutorials and articles to supplement course materials and delve deeper into cybersecurity topics.

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Identify and access online resources that align with the course content.
Follow video tutorials, read articles, and complete interactive exercises.

Explore Cybersecurity News and Articles

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Stay informed on the latest cybersecurity news and trends to broaden your knowledge.

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Identify reputable cybersecurity news sources and blogs.
Subscribe to newsletters and follow experts on social media.
Review and analyze articles and news pieces to stay updated on current events and emerging threats.

Solve cryptography exercises

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Engage in hands-on cryptography exercises to reinforce understanding of encryption and decryption techniques.

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Attempt Caesar cipher exercises to practice basic encryption and decryption.
Solve puzzles involving symmetric encryption algorithms.

Practice Caesar Cipher Decoding

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Engage in Caesar cipher decoding exercises to strengthen your cryptography skills.

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Review the principles of the Caesar cipher.
Solve various Caesar cipher decoding challenges.
Practice decoding Caesar cipher messages with different shift values.

Participate in peer discussion groups

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Engage with peers to exchange ideas, clarify concepts, and reinforce learning through collaborative discussions.

Browse courses on Cybersecurity

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Join online forums or discussion groups related to cybersecurity.
Ask questions, share insights, and participate in discussions with classmates.

Participate in Online Cybersecurity Forums

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Engage in discussions and ask questions in online cybersecurity forums to connect with peers and expand your understanding.

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Join online cybersecurity forums relevant to your interests.
Participate in discussions, share your insights, and ask questions.
Connect with other cybersecurity professionals and learn from their experiences.

Develop a cybersecurity glossary

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Create a comprehensive glossary of cybersecurity terms to enhance vocabulary and understanding of key concepts.

Browse courses on Cybersecurity

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Compile a list of essential cybersecurity terms.
Define each term accurately and concisely.
Organize the glossary alphabetically or by category.

Build a Simple Cryptography Tool

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Develop a small tool to encrypt and decrypt messages, solidifying your understanding of cryptography.

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Choose a programming language and framework suitable for cryptography.
Implement a basic symmetric encryption algorithm, such as AES or DES.
Incorporate user input and output for encryption and decryption operations.
Test your tool thoroughly using different inputs and encryption keys.

Participate in cybersecurity challenges

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Test and enhance skills through participation in cybersecurity competitions and challenges.

Browse courses on Cybersecurity

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Identify and register for online or in-person cybersecurity competitions.
Collaborate with teammates or participate individually.
Analyze problems, develop solutions, and demonstrate cybersecurity proficiency.

Develop an Infographic on CIA Triad

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Craft an infographic to visually present the key concepts of the CIA Triad.

Browse courses on CIA Triad

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Gather and organize information about the CIA Triad.
Design a visually appealing infographic template.
Incorporate clear and concise text, diagrams, and examples.
Review and refine your infographic for clarity and accuracy.

Write a Report on Cybersecurity Threats

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Compose a comprehensive report on current cybersecurity threats to deepen your understanding of the field.

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Research different types of cybersecurity threats, such as phishing, malware, and hacking.
Analyze the impact and consequences of these threats on businesses and individuals.
Identify best practices and strategies for preventing and mitigating cybersecurity threats.
Present your findings in a well-structured and informative report.

Career center

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

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts protect an organization's computers, networks, and data. Knowledge of the CIA Triad is fundamental to the identification and mitigation of security risks. An understanding of cryptography basics can prove useful when investigating breaches.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Security Manager

Security Managers are responsible for the overall security of an organization. The CIA Triad is a critical tool in developing and implementing an organization's information security policies. Knowledge of the course material can also help a Security Manager to make informed decisions about security investments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Manager

Security Architect

Security Architects design and implement an organization's security infrastructure. Knowledge of the CIA Triad and cryptography basics can help a Security Architect to develop a comprehensive and effective security strategy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Architect

Security Analyst

Security Analysts monitor and analyze security data to identify and respond to security threats. Knowledge of the CIA Triad can help a Security Analyst to understand and assess security threats. An understanding of cryptography basics can help a Security Analyst to analyze encrypted data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Security Engineer

Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain an organization's security infrastructure. The CIA Triad can help a Security Engineer to understand the security requirements of an organization. The course on cryptography can help a Security Engineer to implement effective encryption solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Network Security Engineer

A Network Security Engineer designs, implements, and maintains an organization's network security infrastructure. A deep understanding of cryptography can help a Network Security Engineer to implement effective encryption solutions. The CIA Triad provides a framework to think about security throughout a network infrastructure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer

Ethical Hacker

Ethical Hackers use their skills to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks. Knowledge of cryptography basics can help an Ethical Hacker to understand how to bypass encryption mechanisms. An understanding of the CIA Triad can help an Ethical Hacker to identify and exploit vulnerabilities that could compromise confidentiality, integrity, or availability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ethical Hacker

Cybersecurity Analyst

A Cybersecurity Analyst plans and implements security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems. Knowledge of the CIA Triad can help one to more effectively understand and implement security measures. Any exposure to cryptography basics will also be a benefit.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst

Security Consultant

Security Consultants help organizations to identify and mitigate security risks. The CIA Triad is an important tool that a Security Consultant can use to assess an organization's security posture. An understanding of cryptography basics can help a Security Consultant to evaluate an organization's encryption practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Consultant

Penetration Tester

Penetration Testers evaluate the security of computer systems and networks by simulating attacks. Knowledge of cryptography basics can help a Penetration Tester to understand how to bypass encryption mechanisms. An understanding of the CIA Triad can help a Penetration Tester to identify and exploit vulnerabilities that could compromise confidentiality, integrity, or availability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

IT Auditor

IT Auditors assess the effectiveness of an organization's IT controls. Knowledge of the CIA Triad will help an IT Auditor evaluate controls across confidentiality, integrity, and availability. A course on cryptography can help one to evaluate controls over encryption of sensitive data.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Auditor

Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators manage an organization's computer systems and networks. Knowledge of the CIA Triad can help a Systems Administrator to secure an organization's systems and networks. An understanding of cryptography basics can help a Systems Administrator to implement effective encryption solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator

Information Security Officer

Information Security Officers are responsible for the development and implementation of an organization's information security program. The CIA Triad is one of several important frameworks used to understand security. Some knowledge of cryptography basics can be helpful as well.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Officer

Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites. Knowledge of cryptography basics can help a Web Developer to implement secure websites. An understanding of the CIA Triad can help a Web Developer to design websites that meet security requirements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. An understanding of cryptography basics can help a Software Engineer to develop secure applications. Knowledge of the CIA Triad can help a Software Engineer to design systems that meet security requirements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer