Introduction to Cyber Security (FutureLearn)

The course will improve your online safety in the context of the wider world, introducing concepts like malware, trojan virus, network security, cryptography, identity theft, and risk management.
The course is supported by the UK Government’s National Cyber Security Programme, is GCHQ Certified Training and IISP accredited.

What topics will you cover?

• Threat landscape: terminology, cyber security threats, keeping up to date
• Authentication: access control, passwords, two-factor authentication
• Malware: types of malware, attack vectors, preventing infection
• Networking and communications: fundamentals, security challenges, standards
• Cryptography: symmetric and asymmetric cryptography, applications
• Network security: firewalls, virtual private networks, intrusion detection / prevention
• When your defences fail: cyber security laws, recovering from attacks
• Managing security risks: risk analysis and management

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

• Explain basic cyber security terminology; have skills for keeping up to date on cyber security issues; and be able to identify information assets.
• Describe basic authentication mechanisms; have skills to improve their password security; and be aware of alternative authentication methods.
• Identify main malware types; awareness of different malware propagation methods; and skills for preventing malware infections.
• Explain basic networking concepts; be aware of network security challenges; and have knowledge of key networking standards.
• Describe cryptography terminology; be able to use cryptography for email; be aware of applications of cryptography.
• Demonstrate understanding of firewalls, virtual private networks and network intrusion detection and prevention technologies.
• Describe legal and regulatory issues relating to cyber security; and understand how to recover from security failures.
• Apply basic risk analysis and management techniques.