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Cybersecurity as a profession is projected to grow much faster than the national average for all occupations.1 Want to break into the field?

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

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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
Develops the basics and importance of cybersecurity, which is standard in industry
Examines the CIA Triad, which is highly relevant in cybersecurity
Explores cryptography basics, which is standard in industry
Builds a strong foundation for beginners in cybersecurity

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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 basic computer concepts
This course assumes that you have some basic computer skills.
Browse courses on Computer Architecture
Show steps
  • Review the basics of binary code and the Base-2 number system
  • Review the main components of a computer system
  • Review different types of computer networks
Review: 'Introduction to Cybersecurity' by Michael Gregg
This course is a great starting point for learning about cybersecurity.
Show steps
  • Read the book 'Introduction to Cybersecurity' by Michael Gregg
  • Take notes on the key concepts in the book
  • Discuss the book with other cybersecurity professionals
Follow a tutorial on how to set up a secure home network
This course covers the importance of network security.
Show steps
  • Find a tutorial on how to set up a secure home network
  • Follow the steps in the tutorial
  • Test your home network to make sure it is secure
Ten other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 13 activities
Explore Symmetric Encryption Concepts
Gain a deeper understanding of symmetric encryption concepts to improve your cybersecurity knowledge.
Browse courses on Symmetric Encryption
Show steps
  • Enroll in an online tutorial on symmetric encryption.
  • Follow video demonstrations and interactive exercises.
  • Practice applying symmetric encryption techniques.
Caesar cipher encoding and decoding exercise
Engage in hands-on practice of Caesar cipher encoding and decoding techniques to solidify your understanding of basic cryptography concepts.
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Show steps
  • Review the basics of Caesar cipher encoding and decoding.
  • Practice encoding and decoding plaintext messages using Caesar cipher.
  • Solve Caesar cipher puzzles to test your skills.
Practice using common encryption techniques
This course covers the basics of encryption and how it is used in cybersecurity.
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Show steps
  • Practice using the Caesar Cipher
  • Practice using the Vigenere Cipher
  • Practice using the AES Cipher
Practice Decryption Techniques
Reinforce your understanding of decryption techniques to enhance your cybersecurity skills.
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Show steps
  • Review different decryption algorithms.
  • Practice decrypting messages using various techniques.
  • Analyze the effectiveness of different decryption tools.
  • Complete practice exercises to test your decryption skills.
Symmetric and asymmetric encryption tutorial
Enhance your understanding of symmetric and asymmetric encryption by following guided tutorials that delve into their principles and applications.
Browse courses on Cryptography
Show steps
  • Watch video tutorials on symmetric and asymmetric encryption concepts.
  • Review examples and use cases of symmetric and asymmetric encryption in real-world scenarios.
  • Explore online resources and documentation on encryption algorithms.
Create your own password checker
This course emphasizes the importance of strong passwords.
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  • Design the user interface for your password checker
  • Write the code for your password checker
  • Test your password checker with different passwords
Mentor a new cybersecurity professional
This course can help you develop your leadership skills.
Show steps
  • Find a new cybersecurity professional to mentor
  • Set up a regular meeting schedule
  • Provide guidance and support on cybersecurity topics
Blockchain security analysis report
Apply your knowledge of blockchain security by conducting a comprehensive analysis of a blockchain platform, identifying vulnerabilities, and proposing mitigation strategies.
Browse courses on Blockchain
Show steps
  • Select a blockchain platform for analysis.
  • Research common vulnerabilities and threats associated with blockchain technology.
  • Conduct a security assessment of the selected platform, evaluating its security features and identifying potential vulnerabilities.
  • Develop recommendations for mitigating identified vulnerabilities and enhancing the security of the platform.
  • Create a comprehensive report summarizing your analysis and findings.
Participate in a cybersecurity competition
This course can help you test your skills and knowledge.
Show steps
  • Find a cybersecurity competition that interests you
  • Register for the competition
  • Prepare for the competition by studying and practicing
Contribute to an open-source cybersecurity project
This course can help you gain experience with real-world cybersecurity projects.
Show steps
  • Find an open-source cybersecurity project that interests you
  • Contact the project maintainers and ask how you can contribute
  • Contribute to the project by submitting code, documentation, or other resources

Career center

Learners who complete Try It: Cybersecurity Basics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Security Consultant
Security Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on how to improve their security posture. This course helps build a foundation for this career by introducing the basics of cybersecurity, cryptography, and the CIA Triad.
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity Analysts play a vital role in protecting computer systems and networks from cyberattacks. They identify and assess potential vulnerabilities, develop and implement security measures, and respond to security incidents. The Try It: Cybersecurity Basics course helps build a foundation for this career by introducing the basics of cybersecurity, cryptography, and the CIA Triad.
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analysts design, implement, and maintain security measures to protect an organization's information assets. This course helps build a foundation for this career by introducing the basics of cybersecurity, cryptography, and the CIA Triad.
Cryptographer
Cryptographers develop and implement methods for encrypting and decrypting information to protect it from unauthorized access. This course helps build a foundation for this career by introducing the basics of cryptography.
Network Security Engineer
Network Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain security measures to protect computer networks. This course helps build a foundation for this career by introducing the basics of cybersecurity, cryptography, and the CIA Triad.
Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst
Security Operations Center (SOC) Analysts monitor and respond to security events. This course helps build a foundation for this career by introducing the basics of cybersecurity and cryptography.
Penetration Tester
Penetration Testers use their knowledge of cybersecurity to identify vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks. This course helps build a foundation for this career by introducing the basics of cybersecurity and cryptography.
Security Architect
Security Architects design and implement security solutions for organizations. This course helps build a foundation for this career by introducing the basics of cybersecurity, cryptography, and the CIA Triad.
Cloud Security Engineer
Cloud Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain security measures to protect cloud-based systems and applications. This course helps build a foundation for this career by introducing the basics of cybersecurity, cryptography, and the CIA Triad.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) are responsible for the overall security of an organization's information assets. This course may be useful for those who aspire to this role by introducing the basics of cybersecurity and cryptography.
Security Manager
Security Managers oversee the security of an organization's information assets. This course helps build a foundation for this career by introducing the basics of cybersecurity and cryptography.
Data Protection Officer (DPO)
Data Protection Officers (DPOs) are responsible for ensuring that an organization complies with data protection laws and regulations. This course may be useful for those who aspire to this role by introducing the basics of cybersecurity and cryptography.
Cybercrime Investigator
Cybercrime Investigators investigate and prosecute cybercrimes. This course may be useful for those who aspire to this role by introducing the basics of cybersecurity and cryptography.
Privacy Analyst
Privacy Analysts help organizations to comply with privacy laws and regulations. This course may be useful for those who aspire to this role by introducing the basics of cybersecurity and cryptography.
Forensic Computer Analyst
Forensic Computer Analysts investigate computer crimes and collect evidence from computers and other electronic devices. This course may be useful for those who aspire to this role by introducing the basics of cryptography.

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 Try It: Cybersecurity Basics.
Classic textbook on computer security that provides a comprehensive overview of the field. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of computer security to more advanced concepts such as network security and intrusion detection.
Provides a unique perspective on cybersecurity, focusing on the human element of security and how attackers can exploit human weaknesses to gain access to systems and data.
Provides a comprehensive overview of modern cryptography, covering topics such as block ciphers, stream ciphers, and public-key cryptography.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to cryptography, the science of protecting information from unauthorized access. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of cryptography to more advanced concepts such as public-key cryptography and digital signatures.
Provides a practical guide to cybersecurity operations, covering topics such as incident response, threat hunting, and security monitoring.
Provides a comprehensive guide to cloud security, covering topics such as cloud security architecture, cloud security controls, and cloud security management.

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