Cybersecurity Defense Foundations
Beginner to Intermediate • Estimated: 10 weeks (6-8 hrs/week)
Curriculum Overview
Understand modern threat landscapes, networking protocols, vulnerability assessments, security operations, and digital defense hygiene.
Core Competencies Built:
Who This Is For:
IT technicians, network administrators, and students aiming for cybersecurity certifications (Security+, CySA+).
Prerequisites:
Familiarity with basic computer hardware and operating system navigation.
Week-by-Week Learning Roadmap
Computer Networking Deep Dive
OSI model, TCP/IP, DNS, routing, Wireshark packet capture analysis.
Linux & Command-Line Defense
Permissions, processes, shell scripting, and security hardening.
Threats, Attacks & Vulnerabilities
Malware vectors, phishing analysis, social engineering, and OWASP Top 10.
Cryptography & Identity Management
Symmetric/asymmetric encryption, hashing, PKI, MFA, and Zero Trust.
Incident Response & SOC Labs
SIEM log investigation, alert triage, and incident containment.
Recommended Courses for This Path
IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate
Coursera / IBM • Beginner
Launch your career in cybersecurity defense with hands-on labs in network security, endpoint defense, SIEM tools, and incident response fundamentals.