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Updated in [June 30th, 2023]
This course, IT Security: Defense against the digital dark arts, provides an overview of IT security concepts, tools, and best practices. Participants will gain an understanding of encryption algorithms and how they are used to safeguard data. Additionally, the course covers the three As of information security: authentication, authorization, and accounting. Network security solutions, ranging from firewalls to Wifi encryption options, will also be discussed. Finally, the course will provide an overview of a multi-layered, in-depth security architecture and recommendations on how to integrate a culture of security into an organization or team. Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to evaluate potential risks and recommend ways to reduce risk, as well as help others to grasp security concepts and protect themselves.
[Applications]
At the end of this course, participants should be able to apply the knowledge they have gained to create a secure IT environment. They should be able to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities, and recommend appropriate security measures to mitigate them. Participants should also be able to create a culture of security within their organization or team, and help others to understand and apply security concepts.
[Career Paths]
[Job Position Path]
The job position path recommended to learners of this course is IT Security Analyst. IT Security Analysts are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining security systems to protect an organization’s data and networks from cyber threats. They must have a deep understanding of security protocols, encryption algorithms, authentication systems, and network security solutions. They must also be able to evaluate potential risks and recommend ways to reduce risk.
[Development Trend]
The demand for IT Security Analysts is expected to grow significantly in the coming years as organizations become increasingly aware of the need for robust security systems. As the number of cyber threats continues to rise, organizations will need to invest in more sophisticated security solutions and personnel to protect their data and networks. Additionally, the development of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning will create new opportunities for IT Security Analysts to develop and implement more advanced security systems.
[Education Paths]
The recommended educational path for learners of this course is to pursue a degree in Information Security or Cybersecurity. This degree typically requires a combination of coursework in computer science, information systems, and security-related topics. The curriculum typically includes topics such as cryptography, network security, computer forensics, and ethical hacking. Students will also learn about the legal and ethical implications of security and privacy.
The development trend of this degree is to focus on the latest technologies and techniques in the field. This includes topics such as cloud security, mobile security, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Students will also learn about the latest security tools and techniques, such as penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and incident response. Additionally, the degree will focus on the development of soft skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Course Syllabus
Understanding Security Threats
Welcome to the IT Security course of the IT Support Professional Certificate! In the first week of this course, we will cover the basics of security in an IT environment. We will learn how to define and recognize security risks, vulnerabilities and threats. We'll identify the most common security attacks in an organization and understand how security revolves around the "CIA" principle. By the end of this module, you will know the types of malicious software, network attacks, client-side attacks, and the essential security terms you'll see in the workplace. Pelcgbybtl (Cryptology)
The 3 A's of Cybersecurity: Authentication, Authorization, Accounting
In the second week of this course, we'll learn about cryptology. We'll explore different types of encryption practices and how they work. We'll show you the most common algorithms used in cryptography and how they've evolved over time. By the end of this module, you'll understand how symmetric encryption, asymmetric encryption, and hashing work; you'll also know how to choose the most appropriate cryptographic method for a scenario you may see in the workplace. Securing Your Networks
In the third week of this course, we'll learn about the "three A's" in cybersecurity. No matter what type of tech role you're in, it's important to understand how authentication, authorization, and accounting work within an organization. By the end of this module, you'll be able to choose the most appropriate method of authentication, authorization, and level of access granted for users in an organization.Defense in Depth
In the fourth week of this course, we'll learn about secure network architecture. It's important to know how to implement security measures on a network environment, so we'll show you some of the best practices to protect an organization's network. We'll learn about some of the risks of wireless networks and how to mitigate them. We'll also cover ways to monitor network traffic and read packet captures. By the end of this module, you'll understand how VPNs, proxies and reverse proxies work; why 802.1X is a super important for network protection; understand why WPA/WPA2 is better than WEP; and know how to use tcpdump to capture and analyze packets on a network. That's a lot of information, but well worth it for an IT Support Specialist to understand! Creating a Company Culture for Security
In the fifth week of this course, we're going to go more in-depth into security defense. We'll cover ways to implement methods for system hardening, application hardening, and determine the policies for OS security. By the end of this module, you'll know why it's important to disable unnecessary components of a system, learn about host-based firewalls, setup anti-malware protection, implement disk encryption, and configure software patch management and application policies. Prepare for Jobs in IT Support
Congratulations, you've made it to the final week in the course! In the last week of this course, we'll explore ways to create a company culture for security. It's important for any tech role to determine appropriate measures to meet the three goals of security. By the end of this module, you will develop a security plan for an organization to demonstrate the skills you've learned in this course. You're almost done, keep up the great work!
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