Cybersecurity Fundamentals
Course Goals and Objectives
After completing this course, students should have a strong foundation in the principles of the Internet architecture, an awareness of vulnerabilities in the Internet protocol stack, and an introduction to issues in cybersecurity
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
- Gain experience with the online course system.
- Explain the general architecture of the Internet, including the main functions of end systems and routers.
- Describe the basic client-server architecture and how typical network applications (web, email) fit into the architecture.
- Explain how web pages are requested and delivered using HTTP.
- Explain in general how DNS enables our use of the Internet and, in particular, how hosts determine the IP address of network servers.
- Explain how MAC addresses are used and assigned to a packet as it traverses a network.
- Differentiate between wireless LANs and wired LANs.
- Explain how IP CIDR addressing is performed and how an IP address is assigned from a group of available addresses.
- Explain the core functions of TCP, including details of connection setup.
- Analyze and differentiate among types of malware and attacks.
- Analyze and differentiate among types of wireless attacks and application attacks.
- Identify vulnerabilities potentially present in DNS, databases, and web applications.
- Summarize general cryptography concepts.
- Describe how certificates can be used for authentication and encryption.
- Explain how firewalls and VPNs can be used to protect a network.
Course Material
There are both programming assignments for C programming and hands-on labs for cybersecurity and operations. Please include some of the materials (listed below) that you produced within the course, explaining what you did and how these projects helped you engage with the outcomes listed above.
The course material is divided into modules.
- Module 1 – Course Orientation and A Whirlwind Introduction to the Internet
- Module 2 – Application Layer, HTTP and DNS
- Module 3 – Transport Layer and Network Layer
- Module 4 – Link Layer and Wireless
- Module 5 – Cybersecurity Overview
- Module 6 – Cryptography
- Module 7 – Understanding Vulnerabilities
- Module 8 – MID-TERM EXAM
- Module 9 – Vulnerabilities, Exploits, Attacks, Countermeasures
- Module 10 – Vulnerability Mitigation and Risk Management
- Module 11 – Cyber Attack, Exploitation, Authorities, and the Kill Chain
- Module 12 – Cyber Operations Components
- Module 13 – Cyber Operation Phases
- Module 14 – Application Attacks
- Module 15 – Authentication
- Module 16 – FINAL EXAM