What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Specialization - 4 course series

In total, we have four weeks that cover this introduction to computer systems and security. No prior programming nor advanced mathematical knowledge Is required. There are a few examples of pseudocode and some basic computer logic (AND, OR, XOR, etc.) in our Week 1 Introduction to computer systems, but these are not essential to completing the course. In other lessons, we introduce basic concepts and provide pointers to online resources. The course includes active learning through four lab sessions. The first lab introduces the Linux operating system in general by exploring the Linux desktop and applications provided in the Coursera lab environment hosted in the AWS cloud. The second lab looks at the Linux command line and explores some of the file system and gathers system information, for example to explore processes. The third lab explores the network information, the system connectivity, and uses some Python scripts and Wireshark to examine the TCP and UDP transport protocols and the web/HTTP application protocol. Lastly we explore more about the network services using the Nmap tool to explore the network services in the system. The course is designed to provide a wide introduction to computer security, by outlining computer systems, including the operating system, programs, data and networking. We discuss some of the issues in computer security and introduce some of the vulnerabilities and threats as we progress through the four weeks. We include some optional readings and videos from a number of sources, including professional resources and vendor materials for additional study.

This course provides understanding of key technologies used in computer networks and infrastructure. This includes protocols, computer networks, data centres, operational technologies that form key infrastructure critical to the success of organisations and services from a local to an international scale. The course discusses vulnerabilities and the exploits that target computer networks, systems, and the Internet infrastructure. By the end of this course learners will be able to: 1. Show a systematic understanding of digital networks and their operation, including the OSI 7 layer architecture and the TCP/IP protocol stack. 2. Discuss key security threats and risks faced in computer networks. 3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of network security architecture and design rationale of selected protocols, security technologies and how they are used in practice. 4. Identify attack models and analyse vulnerabilities in protocols, network systems, and applications. 5. Demonstrate how these vulnerabilities may be exploited in practice to penetrate a system.

The topics covered include: • Identifying what an incident is • Incident preparation, planning, and response • Cyber resilience • The role of people in security management • The building of trust and developing positive cyber security cultures By completing this course, you will learn how to integrate incident management and a rich knowledge of people into a real-world Information Security Management System for an organisation.

You will learn about the difficulties in measuring the occurrence, the frequency and the impact of cybercrime, and build a scepticism on the reliability and the interpretation of cybercrime reports. You will be introduced to discussion about human aspects of cybercrime, in particular, the actors related to cybercrime, that is, the criminals, the victims, and law enforcement. You will also learn about aspects such as personality, national and organisational culture, security culture, training, and other components which affect cybercriminal activity. Finally, you will dive into what is arguably the most important attack vector in cybercrime, that is, social engineering. You will gain an understanding of how it occurs, which techniques social engineers utilise, and which are the underlying psychological principles which make all of us – as humans – susceptible to social engineering attacks. By the end of the course you should be able to: • Reflect on the main questions related to cybercrime. • Explain the meaning, definitions, importance, and impact of cybercrime. • Assess the reliability and the interpretation of reports and surveys related to cybercrime. • Identify the various classifications of cybercrime, the related threats, and threat actors. • Explain the key role of human aspects in cybercrime. • Differentiate between the various actors involved in cybercrime and their associated perspectives. • Evaluate the underlying psychological principles which make social engineering the most successful attack vector in cybercrime. • Describe how deception and social engineering manifest and how they can be defended against.

Introduction to Network Security

Security Management and Governance

Cybercrime