Cyber Security Foundations for Beginners

Skill Goal:
Build a strong understanding of cyber security, its importance, and career relevance in modern organizations.

Skills Developed:

• Explain what cyber security is and why it matters

• Understand core cyber security terminology

• Identify key cyber security domains

• Recognize the impact of cyber threats on businesses

• Differentiate between various cyber security roles

Sprint Outcome:
Ability to clearly explain cyber security fundamentals and identify potential career pathways in the field.

Skill Goal:
Recognize common cyber threats and understand how attacks are executed.

Skills Developed:

• Identify common types of cyber attacks

• Explain phishing and social engineering techniques

• Recognize identity theft methods

• Identify insider threats and attack vectors

• Analyze real-world cyber attack case examples

Sprint Outcome:
Ability to identify warning signs of cyber attacks and understand how common threats operate.

Skill Goal:
Understand how networks function and how they are protected.

Skills Developed:

• Explain how data travels across networks

• Understand basic networking concepts (IP, DNS, routers)

• Identify common network vulnerabilities

• Understand the role of firewalls and network defenses

• Recognize basic internet security risks

Sprint Outcome:
Ability to explain how networks operate and identify fundamental network security risks.

Skill Goal:
Apply foundational security practices to endpoints and operating systems.

Skills Developed:

• Understand user accounts and permission structures

• Apply access control principles

• Recognize secure vs insecure configurations

• Explain the importance of system updates and patching

• Understand antivirus and endpoint protection basics

Sprint Outcome:
Ability to evaluate endpoint security posture and apply essential system protection practices.

Skill Goal:
Protect organizational data using core privacy and protection principles.

Skills Developed:

• Differentiate types of data based on sensitivity

• Apply data classification principles

• Understand encryption fundamentals

• Recognize secure data handling practices

• Identify scenarios requiring data protection controls

Sprint Outcome:
Ability to classify and protect sensitive data using appropriate security measures.

Skill Goal:
Secure systems through strong authentication and controlled access.

Skills Developed:

• Apply strong password standards

• Understand multi-factor authentication (MFA)

• Explain role-based access control (RBAC)

• Identify authentication vulnerabilities

• Evaluate access control scenarios

Sprint Outcome:
Ability to design basic secure authentication and access control strategies.

Skill Goal:
Understand governance structures that support organizational security.

Skills Developed:

• Explain the purpose of security policies

• Identify risks, threats, and vulnerabilities

• Understand risk assessment basics

• Recognize compliance and regulatory concepts

• Define user responsibilities in security governance

Sprint Outcome:
Ability to identify risks and understand how policies and compliance frameworks support security.

Skill Goal:
Apply safe computing practices and respond to basic security incidents.

Skills Developed:

• Apply safe browsing practices

• Identify unsafe online behaviours

• Recognize basic security incidents

• Follow initial incident response steps

• Develop a security-first workplace mindset

Sprint Outcome:
Ability to practice secure digital behaviour and respond appropriately to common incidents.

Skill Goal:
Understand foundational cyber security tools and map skills to career progression.

Skills Developed:

• Identify common cyber security tools (conceptual overview)

• Understand basic security monitoring principles

• Recognize Security Operations Center (SOC) functions

• Map beginner skills to entry-level roles

• Plan next learning and certification steps

Sprint Outcome:
Ability to identify entry-level cyber security career paths and outline a personal development roadmap.

Project Goal:
Design, assess, and present a complete security improvement plan for a simulated organization using foundational cyber security principles.

Skills Demonstrated:

• Analyze a real-world business security scenario provided in class

• Identify assets, threats, vulnerabilities, and potential risks

• Conduct a basic risk assessment

• Evaluate network, endpoint, and access control weaknesses

• Classify sensitive data and recommend protection measures

• Propose authentication and access control improvements

• Recommend security policies and compliance considerations

• Develop an incident response outline for a simulated attack

• Present a structured security improvement roadmap

• Demonstrate responsible and ethical security practices

Final Project Outcome:

Ability to assess an organization's basic security posture, identify key vulnerabilities, and present a structured, practical cyber security improvement plan aligned with business needs