Intro to Cybersecurity

The goal of this course is to introduce students to basic cybersecurity concepts and inspire interest in cybersecurity careers. This course does not require any prerequisite knowledge in computing or cybersecurity for either the student or teacher. The course can be delivered completely on Chromebooks with no specialized equipment. It includes the use of the CYBER.ORG Range, which is a no cost cyber range for all K-12 educators. This course is meant as an introductory course to CYBER.ORG’s Cybersecurity course.

This course launched in June 2023!

Number of Units

Subjects

Cybersecurity

Grade Levels

Duration (hours)

180

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Overview

This course is designed for students who are interested in exploring careers in Cybersecurity. The focus of instruction will include the implementation and monitoring of security on network and computer systems. Students will investigate strategies to identify and protect against security threats such as hackers, eavesdropping, and network attacks. The basics of cryptography and logic reasoning will be explored. Hands-on labs in the CYBER.ORG Range provide practice in the configuration and mitigation of system vulnerabilities. Each unit integrates current events and related cyber ethics and law.

Cyber Connections

Cryptography

Cyber Career Awareness

Cyber Ethics

Cyber Hygiene

Cybersecurity

Ethical Hacking

Threats and Vulnerabilities

What You'll Teach

First Day

Students will understand the importance of cybersecurity professionals and the benefits of being one, create a code of conduct for the course, and understand why a code of conduct is important for this course.

Foundations and Threats

1.1 - The CIA Triad and Authentication

1.2 - Identifying Security Threats

1.3 - Introduction to CLI (Command Line Interface)

The Human Factor

2.1 - Social Engineering

2.2 - OSINT and Phishing

Data Safety and Best Practices

3.1 - Securing the System

3.2 - IoT Threat Modeling

Cryptography and Linux

4.1 - Bits, Binary, and Encoding

4.2 - Cryptography Basics Concepts

4.3 - Advanced Linux Command Line Interface

4.4 - Privacy vs Security

Devices and Networking

5.1 - Computer Components

5.2 - Networking Fundamentals

5.3 - Protocols & Packets

End of Part 1 Projects (Extension Materials)

Biometric Authentication Product Pitch
Social Engineering PSA Video
Benchmark Selections for OS Hardening
Making an Impact with Technology

Law & Ethics

6.1 - Law and Ethics

Reconnaissance

7.1 - Recon Introduction and Google Dorking

7.2 - WHOIS and Nslookup

7.3 - Network Scanning

Network & System Threats

8.1 - Net Attacks - Denial of Service (DoS)

8.2 - Spoofing & Sniffing

8.3 - Wireless, Mobile, & VPNs

8.4 - Pentesting & Exploits

8.5 - Cyber War

Online Threats

9.1 - Basic Web Concepts

9.2 - Web Vulnerabilities

9.3 - SQL Database Attacks

Encryption Security Tools

10.1 - Symmetric and Asymmetric Encryption

10.2 - SSL for Online Security

Cyber Competitions

Through course labs students will be introduced to cyber competitions including the National Cyber Cup, PicoCTF, CyberStart America, and CyberPatriot. These events provide students with opportunities to independently expand their cybersecurity learning, to win scholarships, and to access career pathways.

Course Map

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Syllabus

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