IT Security: Defense against the digital dark arts

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/it-security

Introduction

## Course Recommendation: IT Security: Defense Against the Digital Dark Arts In today’s digital landscape, where data breaches and cyber threats loom large, understanding IT security has become crucial for anyone involved in technology. Coursera’s course titled **IT Security: Defense Against the Digital Dark Arts** offers a comprehensive foundation for individuals looking to enhance their knowledge of IT security concepts, tools, and best practices. ### Course Overview This course is structured to deliver a solid grounding in various IT security fundamentals. It covers an array of topics—from understanding security threats to diving into cryptography and authenticating user access. With an engaging format and well-designed curriculum, the course also emphasizes the practical application of security principles in real-world scenarios. ### In-Depth Syllabus Breakdown 1. **Understanding Security Threats** The course kicks off with an exploration of the basic principles of security within IT environments. Here, participants learn to identify security risks, vulnerabilities, and common attack vectors. By understanding the "CIA" triad—Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability—students become adept at recognizing different malicious software and network attacks, enabling them to take first steps toward fostering a more secure environment. 2. **Pelcgbybtl (Cryptology)** The second module delves into the fascinating world of cryptology. Participants explore symmetric and asymmetric encryption methods, alongside hashing algorithms. This module not only explains how these systems work but also prepares students to select the most appropriate encryption method for various workplace scenarios. 3. **The 3 A's of Cybersecurity: Authentication, Authorization, Accounting** Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (the "three A's") form the cornerstone of cybersecurity. This module equips learners with the knowledge needed to implement and manage these essential aspects effectively. By the end of this segment, participants will know how to determine the right levels of access and user permissions, a crucial skill in any tech role. 4. **Securing Your Networks** Network security is the focus of the fourth module. Here, students are educated on secure network architecture and risk mitigation strategies for wireless networks. The curriculum covers real-world practices like using VPNs and proxies, monitoring network traffic, and analyzing packet captures—a must-have skill for any aspiring IT support specialist. 5. **Defense in Depth** The fifth module takes an in-depth look at security defense mechanisms. Participants will learn about system hardening, application hardening, and the implementation of OS security policies. By ensuring that unnecessary components are disabled and proactive measures are taken, learners gain insight into establishing a multi-layered defense strategy. 6. **Creating a Company Culture for Security** The final module focuses on assembling a strong security culture within an organization. This segment empowers participants to create a strategic security plan reflecting all they’ve learned throughout the course, demonstrating their ability to contribute to and enhance workplace security. 7. **Prepare for Jobs in IT Support** As part of the course conclusion, students will participate in interactive activities designed to solidify their grasp of the relevant concepts. This module also covers job readiness skills, like resume development and mock interviews, making this course particularly appealing for those entering the IT support field. ### Final Thoughts and Recommendation The **IT Security: Defense Against the Digital Dark Arts** course on Coursera stands out with its engaging content and practical focus on real-world applications. Whether you’re just starting your career in IT or looking to polish your security skills, this course provides a well-rounded foundation that is crucial for protecting digital assets in today’s tech-centric world. Would I recommend this course? Absolutely! It not only provides the knowledge necessary to understand and counteract cybersecurity threats but also prepares you for real-world applications in IT support roles. With the rise of cyber threats, investing time in understanding IT security concepts through this comprehensive course is a wise step toward a successful career in technology. Don't miss the opportunity to safeguard organizations from digital dangers; enroll in this course today!

Syllabus

Understanding Security Threats

Welcome to the IT Security course of the IT Support Professional Certificate! In the first module of this course, we will cover the basics of security in an IT environment. We will learn how to define and recognize security risks, vulnerabilities and threats. We'll identify the most common security attacks in an organization and understand how security revolves around the "CIA" principle. By the end of this module, you will know the types of malicious software, network attacks, client-side attacks, and the essential security terms you'll see in the workplace.

In the second module of this course, we'll learn about cryptology. We'll explore different types of encryption practices and how they work. We'll show you the most common algorithms used in cryptography and how they've evolved over time. By the end of this module, you'll understand how symmetric encryption, asymmetric encryption, and hashing work; you'll also know how to choose the most appropriate cryptographic method for a scenario you may see in the workplace.

In the third module of this course, we'll learn about the "three A's" in cybersecurity. No matter what type of tech role you're in, it's important to understand how authentication, authorization, and accounting work within an organization. By the end of this module, you'll be able to choose the most appropriate method of authentication, authorization, and level of access granted for users in an organization.

In the fourth module of this course, we'll learn about secure network architecture. It's important to know how to implement security measures on a network environment, so we'll show you some of the best practices to protect an organization's network. We'll learn about some of the risks of wireless networks and how to mitigate them. We'll also cover ways to monitor network traffic and read packet captures. By the end of this module, you'll understand how VPNs, proxies and reverse proxies work; why 802.1X is a super important for network protection; understand why WPA/WPA2 is better than WEP; and know how to use tcpdump to capture and analyze packets on a network. That's a lot of information, but well worth it for an IT Support Specialist to understand!

In the fifth module of this course, we're going to go more in-depth into security defense. We'll cover ways to implement methods for system hardening, application hardening, and determine the policies for OS security. By the end of this module, you'll know why it's important to disable unnecessary components of a system, learn about host-based firewalls, setup anti-malware protection, implement disk encryption, and configure software patch management and application policies.

Congratulations, you've made it to the final module in the course! In the last module of this course, we'll explore ways to create a company culture for security. It's important for any tech role to determine appropriate measures to meet the three goals of security. By the end of this module, you will develop a security plan for an organization to demonstrate the skills you've learned in this course. You're almost done, keep up the great work!

You will engage in a series of interactive activities based on concepts you’ve explored and skills you’ve gained throughout the program. You’ll also explore job readiness skills, develop your resume, and practice interviewing for jobs.