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Building a Strong Cyber Security Foundation

Michael Teske, Aaron Rosenmund, and Brandon DeVault

Join us in this introductory course as the first step that covers the essential skills and knowledge for a successful career in the cyber security field.

Embark on an exciting journey with this introductory course, designed to equip you with essential skills and knowledge for a successful career in the cyber security field. This comprehensive introduction, Building a Strong Cyber Security Foundation, serves as the first step in a series of courses that cover the core competencies needed for every role. We’ll cover the foundational labs, courses, and topics necessary to build the implied knowledge necessary to continue on your learning path.

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Endpoint Security Network Security Cyber Security Foundation Cyber Security Career Cyber Security Skills Core Competencies in Cyber Security Essential Skills for Cyber Security

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction (What’s in It for Me?)

Endpoint Security

Network Security

Wrap Up

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Builds a strong foundation for beginners

Taught by experienced instructors: Michael Teske, Aaron Rosenmund, Brandon DeVault

Teaches essential skills and knowledge for a successful career in cyber security

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Reviews summary

Foundational cyber security for beginners

According to students, this course excels as a strong foundation in cybersecurity, particularly for absolute beginners. Learners consistently praise the clear and well-structured lectures, especially in Endpoint Security and Network Security, which make complex concepts accessible. The instructor's explanations are often highlighted as a significant positive, fostering an engaging learning experience. While the course successfully prepares new learners for further study, some experienced students found its content too introductory and lacking deeper dives or more robust hands-on labs, indicating it's best suited as a first step rather than a comprehensive standalone resource.

Generally up-to-date, but minor areas could use refreshing.

"The content is up-to-date and relevant to today's threats."

"Decent introduction, but some parts felt a bit dated, specifically around certain software examples in the Endpoint Security section."

"It definitely serves as a foundation, but learners should be prepared to seek out more current information."

Instructor explains complex topics clearly and engagingly.

"The instructor explained complex concepts in a simplified manner."

"The instructor's clear explanations were a major plus."

"The instructor is knowledgeable and presents the material clearly."

"The instructor was engaging and clearly passionate about the subject."

Successfully lays groundwork for future learning paths.

"It definitely prepares you for more advanced studies."

"While it's a foundation, it felt like it truly built a solid base."

"This course truly lays the groundwork and gives you the confidence to explore further."

"It's concise yet comprehensive enough for a foundation."

Provides an accessible entry point for new learners.

"As someone new to cybersecurity, the lectures were incredibly clear and easy to follow..."

"Excellent course for anyone trying to get into cybersecurity. It covers the fundamentals very well."

"Fantastic starting point! I had zero prior knowledge in cybersecurity, and this course made it accessible and engaging."

"As a complete novice, this course was exactly what I needed. It broke down complex ideas into understandable pieces."

Learners desired more practical and interactive lab exercises.

"My only minor critique is that some areas...felt a bit high-level; I would have loved a bit more depth or a few more hands-on demos."

"Some topics could benefit from more interactive elements or a dedicated lab environment."

"The labs mentioned in the description were not as robust as I hoped; mostly theoretical walk-throughs."

"My only suggestion would be to add more interactive labs to apply the knowledge immediately."

May be too basic for learners with prior technical experience.

"As an IT professional with some prior networking experience, I found this course to be a bit too basic."

"While it's great for absolute beginners, I was hoping for a bit more challenge and deeper dives into practical implementation."

"The 'foundation' part is certainly true, but it might be too introductory for those with some background."

"The course content felt somewhat superficial for certain topics. While it covers a wide range, the depth is lacking."

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 Building a Strong Cyber Security Foundation with these activities:

Review Networking Fundamentals

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Strengthen your understanding of networking concepts, ensuring a solid foundation for cybersecurity principles.

Browse courses on Network Architecture

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Review textbooks or online resources on networking fundamentals.
Set up a simple network environment for practice and testing.

Read 'Introduction to Information Security'

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity concepts and principles from a trusted resource.

View Principles of Information Security (MindTap... on Amazon

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Read the chapters assigned for each module and take notes.
Complete the end-of-chapter exercises to test your understanding.

Guided Walkthrough of Security Protocols

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Follow step-by-step tutorials that demonstrate the implementation and application of cybersecurity protocols, improving your understanding and practical skills.

Browse courses on Cryptography

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Review the underlying concepts and principles of the security protocol.
Follow the guided walkthrough to set up and configure the protocol.
Test the protocol's functionality and identify potential vulnerabilities.

Four other activities

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Interactive CyberSecurity Practice Labs

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Practice real-world cybersecurity scenarios to develop a strong foundation and enhance your understanding.

Browse courses on Cybersecurity Fundamentals

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Identify the vulnerabilities and threats in the provided virtual environment.
Configure security measures to mitigate the identified risks.
Conduct penetration testing to assess the effectiveness of your security measures.
Review the results and identify areas for improvement.

Collaborative Cyber Threat Analysis

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Engage with peers to discuss and analyze real-world cybersecurity threats, broadening your perspective and enhancing your decision-making abilities.

Browse courses on Cyber Threat Intelligence

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Join a peer group or discussion forum focused on cybersecurity threat analysis.
Share insights and experiences on recent cybersecurity incidents and threats.
Participate in group discussions and debates to critically examine different perspectives.

Contribute to Open-Source Cybersecurity Projects

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Participate in the development and testing of open-source cybersecurity tools, gaining practical experience and contributing to the broader cybersecurity community.

Browse courses on Software Development

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Identify an open-source cybersecurity project that aligns with your interests.
Review the project's documentation and contribute code changes or bug fixes.
Communicate with the project maintainers and participate in online discussions.

Cybersecurity White Paper

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Develop a comprehensive cybersecurity white paper that demonstrates your understanding of key concepts and best practices, showcasing your analytical and writing abilities.

Browse courses on Cybersecurity Frameworks

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Research and gather information on a specific cybersecurity topic.
Analyze the data and identify key trends and insights.
Develop a written report that outlines your findings and recommendations.
Present your white paper to a group of peers or industry professionals for feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Building a Strong Cyber Security Foundation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Penetration Tester

Penetration Testers simulate cyber attacks to identify vulnerabilities in networks and systems. They then provide recommendations on how to fix these vulnerabilities and improve security. This course is a great way to prepare for a career as a Penetration Tester. You'll learn about the tools and techniques used to test networks and systems for vulnerabilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

Cyber Security Analyst

Cyber Security Analysts protect networks, systems, and data from digital attacks by identifying vulnerabilities, implementing security measures, and monitoring for threats. This course, Building a Strong Cyber Security Foundation, provides a comprehensive foundation for your career as a Cyber Security Analyst. You'll learn endpoint security, network security, and other skills that employers seek out when hiring for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cyber Security Analyst

Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst

Cyber Threat Intelligence Analysts gather, analyze, and interpret information about cyber threats. They use this information to help organizations identify, prevent, and respond to cyber attacks. Building a Strong Cyber Security Foundation is a great way to prepare for a career as a Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst. This course will help you understand the cyber threat landscape and develop the skills you need to collect and analyze cyber threat data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst

Security Consultant

Security Consultants analyze security vulnerabilities and develop solutions to mitigate risks. They provide guidance to organizations on how to protect their data and systems from cyber threats. Building a Strong Cyber Security Foundation is a great way to prepare for a career as a Security Consultant. This course will help you build the skills you need to identify and address security risks.

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Network Security Engineer

Network Security Engineers design, implement, and manage network security solutions. They work to ensure that organizations' networks are protected from cyber attacks. This course is a great way to prepare for a job as a Network Security Engineer. You'll learn about the tools and techniques used to design, implement, and manage network security solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer

Vulnerability Manager

Vulnerability Managers are responsible for identifying and managing vulnerabilities in an organization's systems and networks. They work to ensure that vulnerabilities are patched and that systems are protected from attacks. This course is a great way to prepare for a job as a Vulnerability Manager. You'll learn about the tools and techniques used to identify and manage vulnerabilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vulnerability Manager

Security Engineer

Security Engineers implement and manage security solutions for organizations. They work to ensure that organizations' systems and networks are protected from cyber attacks. This course is a great way to prepare for a job as a Security Engineer. You'll learn about the tools and techniques used to implement and manage security solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Security Architect

Security Architects design and implement security solutions for organizations. They work to ensure that organizations' systems and networks are protected from cyber attacks. This course may be helpful in preparing for a job as a Security Architect. It will provide you with a foundation in cyber security concepts and skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Architect

Cloud Security Engineer

Cloud Security Engineers design, implement, and manage security solutions for cloud computing environments. They work to ensure that organizations' cloud-based systems and data are protected from cyber attacks. This course may be helpful in preparing for a job as a Cloud Security Engineer. It will provide you with a foundation in cyber security concepts and skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Engineer

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts plan, develop, and implement information security policies and procedures. They also monitor and assess the effectiveness of security measures, and investigate and respond to security breaches. This course may be helpful in preparing for a job as an Information Security Analyst. It will provide you with a foundation in cyber security concepts and skills.

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Forensic Computer Analyst

Forensic Computer Analysts investigate and analyze computer systems to find evidence of cyber crimes. They may also testify in court about their findings. This course may be helpful in preparing for a career as a Forensic Computer Analyst. It will provide you with a foundation in cyber security concepts and skills, including digital forensics.

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Incident Responder

Incident Responders are responsible for handling and resolving security breaches. They work to contain the damage caused by the breach and restore normal operations. This course may be helpful in preparing for a career as an Incident Responder. It will provide you with a foundation in cyber security concepts and skills.

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Risk Assessor

Risk Assessors evaluate the potential risks to an organization's information and systems. They identify and prioritize risks, develop risk management plans, and monitor the effectiveness of risk management measures. This course may be helpful in preparing for a job as a Risk Assessor. It will provide you with a foundation in cyber security concepts and skills.

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Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

CISOs are responsible for the overall security of an organization's information and systems. They develop and implement security policies and procedures, and oversee the organization's security team. This course may be helpful in preparing for a job as a CISO. It will provide you with a foundation in cyber security concepts and skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

IT Auditor

IT Auditors assess the security of an organization's information systems and networks. They identify vulnerabilities and risks, and make recommendations for improvements. This course may be helpful in preparing for a job as an IT Auditor. It will provide you with a foundation in cyber security concepts and skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Auditor

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 Building a Strong Cyber Security Foundation.

Computer Security

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Covers computer security principles, and provides a mix of foundational knowledge and practical, real-world applications. It is written in a clear and accessible style and is recommended as a comprehensive reference guide.

Building a Strong Cyber Security Foundation

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Foundational cyber security for beginners

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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