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Cyber Security Fundamentals

Instructor: Chris Mitchell

40,180 already enrolled

Included with

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3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

318 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

318 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

15 assignments

Taught in English

91% of learners achieved a positive career outcome

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There are 3 modules in this course

This course is intended to provide a general introduction to key concepts in cyber security. It is aimed at anyone with a good general knowledge of information and communications technology. The nature, scope and importance of cyber security are explained, and key concepts are justified and explored. This includes examining the types of threat that cyber security must address, as well as the range of mechanisms, both technological and procedural, that can be deployed.

The role of cryptography in providing security is explored, including how algorithms and keys play their part in enabling cyber security. The key supporting function played by key management is identified, including why the use of cryptographic functions depends on it. The need for security management in an organisation is explained, and its main elements are introduced - including the key role played by risk management. The importance of standardised approaches to security management is explained, as is the notion of compliance.

Module details

This module provides an introduction to cyber security. The scope of the subject is reviewed, and a definition is introduced based on the three key security objectives of confidentiality, integrity and availability.

What's included

7 videos6 readings5 assignments2 discussion prompts

7 videosTotal 74 minutes

Getting started5 minutes
Understanding security from experience13 minutes
Goals of security9 minutes
Addressing threats13 minutes
What is CIA?9 minutes
Using CIA to build security13 minutes
Security for data in motion and at rest12 minutes

6 readingsTotal 190 minutes

Key ideas in the literature10 minutes
Laying the foundations45 minutes
Other ways of defining cyber security30 minutes
Other approaches30 minutes
Applying CIA to an organisation30 minutes
Types of security45 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Module 1 test30 minutes
Getting the ideas right30 minutes
Definitions5 minutes
Review of concepts10 minutes
CIA – a basis for building security15 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 50 minutes

What do you want from this course?20 minutes
Dividing it up30 minutes

The importance of cryptography in providing cyber security is explained, and key elements of cryptography are introduced.

What's included

8 videos5 readings5 assignments1 discussion prompt

8 videosTotal 108 minutes

A brief history15 minutes
The role of keys14 minutes
Guaranteeing integrity and authenticity14 minutes
What encryption can and can't do12 minutes
What is an algorithm?12 minutes
Managing keys16 minutes
Where does cryptography fit?12 minutes
Common pitfalls14 minutes

5 readingsTotal 150 minutes

The need for cryptography30 minutes
The scope of cryptography30 minutes
Algorithms and cryptanalysis30 minutes
PKI and key distrubution30 minutes
Systems and protocols30 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 150 minutes

Module 2 test30 minutes
What is cryptography?30 minutes
What can cryptography do?30 minutes
Common algorithms30 minutes
Public, private and secret keys30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 30 minutes

What can I do?30 minutes

In an organisational context, security management covers the design and implementation of all aspects of the information security management system (ISMS), that is, the set of policies, processes, and procedures established to provide cyber security. The role of the ISMS is introduced and key elements of its functioning explained.

What's included

6 videos6 readings5 assignments2 discussion prompts

6 videosTotal 84 minutes

What is security management13 minutes
Security policies and controls14 minutes
Risk assessment and risk management15 minutes
The ISMS14 minutes
Other approaches14 minutes
Responding to a security breach14 minutes

6 readingsTotal 180 minutes

Elements of security management30 minutes
Approaches to managing risk30 minutes
Using ISO/IEC 2700130 minutes
Cyber Essentials and the NIST standards30 minutes
Incident response management30 minutes
Forms and procedures30 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 150 minutes

Module 3 test30 minutes
Exploring key concepts30 minutes
Understanding risk30 minutes
Building an effective ISMS30 minutes
The range of approaches30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 60 minutes

What are cyber security risks?30 minutes
Designing effective incident response30 minutes

Build toward a degree

This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of London. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(90 ratings)

Chris Mitchell

University of London

3 Courses40,400 learners

Offered by

University of London

Learner reviews

5 stars
78.61%
4 stars
15.72%
3 stars
3.14%
2 stars
1.57%
1 star
0.94%

Showing 3 of 318

Reviewed on Apr 25, 2023

very resourceful course content thank you so much

Reviewed on Oct 29, 2023

This is an excellent course in cyber security ! The concepts and ideas are very well presented by Professor Chris Mitchell. I learnt a lot from him. Thank you !

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2022

Professor Chris Mitchell made the course easy to understand, and was very interactive with the pause the video.Thank you Chris Mitchell. Thank you Coursera. Thank you University of London.

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