Overview

This course will introduce the basic principles of security in digital systems - cybersecurity - explaining the role of cybersecurity in protecting digital systems, networks, software, and data from unauthorised access, theft, damage, or disruption. Learners will gain an understanding of the nature of digital information and the importance of keeping information secure, as well as methods for doing so, including techniques for preserving the privacy and integrity of information such as encryption and hashing. As part of the unit, learners will be introduced to the principles of identifying cybersecurity risks. They will develop an appreciation for the broad space of threats that cyber systems face across the globe and will understand how these threats and attacks can be prevented, mitigated, and responded to or defended against within appropriate frameworks, as well as good practices and principles. In addition to technical knowledge, learners will develop a professional, ethical and legal understanding of and approach to the field of cybersecurity. Overall, the skills developed in this course will help learners to develop an expertise or leverage lucrative career opportunities in the field.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand key cybersecurity concepts and terminology and the value and meaning of information and information privacy and security.

• Understand the cybersecurity landscape including types of threat and the value of key security frameworks, risk management approaches, and models.

• Understand the importance of secure design in cybersecurity systems.

• Be able to apply cryptographic techniques to encrypt and decrypt information.

• Understand legal and societal issues concerning information security.