What is the X-Factor? In Cybersecurity, the X-Factor related to unknown and unpredictable human behavior within and outside of your organization. “No one really knows why humans do what they do”, (David K. Reynolds), and because of this organizations can be unprepared for malicious, untrained, or even best intentioned behavior that can cause alarm and sometimes irreparable harm.
This course is part of the Cybersecurity: Developing a Program for Your Business Specialization
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Cybersecurity: Developing a Program for Your Business SpecializationUniversity System of GeorgiaAbout this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
25%
started a new career after completing these courses
25%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 3 of 4 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Beginner Level
Approx. 11 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Learner Career Outcomes
25%
started a new career after completing these courses
25%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 3 of 4 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Beginner Level
Approx. 11 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Offered by
University System of Georgia
The University System of Georgia is composed of 28 higher education institutions including 4 research universities, 2 regional universities, 12 state universities, 13 state colleges and the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. The Georgia Public Library System, encompassing 61 library systems throughout Georgia, is also part of the University System.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
3 hours to complete
Introduction to the X-Factor
The X-factor within information security is human behavior within and outside your organization. Our introduction includes an overview of information security management and its goals as well as describing the problem created by non-malicious insider behavior. We include discussion about the purpose of training within organizational cybersecurity efforts and whether it is achieving its purpose.
3 hours to complete
4 videos (Total 16 min), 5 readings, 2 quizzes
4 videos
Security and Employee Compliance4m
Industry Q&A: Security and End Users1m
Pulling it together8m
5 readings
Learning Objectives1m
MISQ Executive: Information Security Management Overview45m
Phishing Attacks Hurt Convenience Of Online Banking In The Workplace10m
3 things every CISO should know10m
Shadow IT: Mitigating Security Risks10m
1 practice exercise
Introduction to the X-Factor Quiz10m
2 hours to complete
Security Education: Training & Awareness
Within this topic we will discuss traditional training efforts. Security education, training and awareness (SETA) programs are designed to reduce the incidence of accidental security breaches. Through the readings you will learn about the design and delivery of these programs as well as various training techniques. This module concludes with a discussion about your experience and opinion about organizational security training.
2 hours to complete
4 videos (Total 17 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes
4 videos
Industry Q&A: SETA in Real Life2m
Industry Q&A: Customers and Security Training2m
Pulling it together5m
4 readings
Learning Objectives1m
Security Education, Training and Awareness20m
Training20m
Making Security Awareness Work20m
2 practice exercises
SETA Practice Quiz20m
Security Education: Training and Awareness Quiz10m
4 hours to complete
Reasons Why Traditional Training Efforts Fail
In this module you will understand why traditional training efforts through SETA programs may fail. You will learn about human behavior and how understanding it can help managers better leverage their security efforts. Finally, through the readings you will also see that this is a global issue. The readings present examples of existing awareness campaigns in U.K., in Australia, in Canada and Africa.
4 hours to complete
4 videos (Total 15 min), 5 readings, 3 quizzes
4 videos
Employee Habits, Errors, and Security Breaches4m
Habituation: What is it?5m
Pulling it together3m
5 readings
Learning Objectives1m
Why Do Cybersecurity Awareness Campaigns Fail?50m
The Impact of Past Behavior45m
How Does Behavior Become Habitual?20m
Global Threat Report30m
2 practice exercises
Why Do Cybersecurity Awareness Campaigns Fail Quiz14m
Test Your Knowledge!20m
2 hours to complete
Threat Intelligence
We will conclude by identifying some novel problems and practices that organizations are experiencing. You will learn about hactivism, cyberinsurance, and ransomware through popular press readings about recent security problems that landed companies on the front page.
2 hours to complete
3 videos (Total 14 min), 6 readings, 2 quizzes
3 videos
Industry Q&A: Threat Intelligence2m
Pulling it together5m
6 readings
Learning Objectives1m
What is threat intelligence?20m
Rise of Hacktivism20m
Cyber Insurance15m
Protecting yourself from Ransomware10m
Ransomware15m
2 practice exercises
Practice quiz: Test your threat intelligence!20m
Test your knowledge of threat intelligence10m
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM CYBERSECURITY AND THE X-FACTOR
by ASApr 21, 2020
This course is really helpful for those who are doing research in cyber security and related to human traits. It gave me new research area that what we can do in future. Once again thanks coursera.
by ZLMar 18, 2017
There is a lot of practical and actionable information in this course related to cybersecurity. I would highly recommend anyone interested in their organization's cybersecurity take this course!
by JEApr 3, 2020
This was a pretty challenging course. The sections on theories of human behavior were a bit deep but they did help me to understand how human behavior is so important improving cyber security.
by DPJun 17, 2020
It is really great experience in learning this course. I have learned newly about the threat intelligence, employee habits and security breaches etc. Thank you.
About the Cybersecurity: Developing a Program for Your Business Specialization
Cybersecurity is an essential business skill for the evolving workplace. For-profit companies, government agencies, and not-for-profit organizations all need technologically proficient, business-savvy information technology security professionals. In this Specialization, you will learn about a variety of processes for protecting business assets through policy, education and training, and technology best practices. You’ll develop an awareness of the risks and cyber threats or attacks associated with modern information usage, and explore key technical and managerial topics required for a balanced approach to information protection. Topics will include mobility, the Internet of Things, the human factor, governance and management practices.
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