Online cybersecurity microcredentials: intermediate curriculum

5 CP – The Psychology of Hacking

Examine the mindsets and motivations of a hacker. This course will also explain some of the most commonly used tactics for a network breach.

Upon completion of this short course, you’ll be able to:

• Critically analyse hacker typologies, mindsets and motivations.
• Critically analyse the various tactics that hackers use in breaching communication networks.

10 CP – Hacking: The Business and Criminological Frames

Explore various business models and value chains behind hackers’ activities, including security practices from a business point of view. This course also explores various methods and mechanisms of reducing data breaches.

Advancing on the learning outcomes in The Psychology of Hacking, you’ll be able to:

• Deconstruct and critically analyse the profit models and value chain behind hackers’ activities.
• Critically evaluate standard business security practices from the viewpoint of a hacker.
• Recommend processes and practices to reduce the likelihood of data breaches.

Recommended prerequisite: The Psychology of Hacking.

Course topics

5 CP – Foundations of Cryptography

Develop the skills and knowledge you need to identify, analyse and respond to cyberattacks and threats.

Upon completion of this short course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyse systems and networks to identify security flaws and vulnerabilities and design access control mechanisms.
• Analyse and apply cryptographic algorithms and the underlying mathematical structures.
• Critically review and analyse the current security protocols.

10 CP – IT Systems and Web Security

Use security tools and applications to build safe and accessible information networks. Gain the skills and knowledge to identify, analyse and respond to cyberattacks and threats.

Advancing on the learning outcomes in Foundations of Cryptography, you’ll be able to:

• Critically review important security tools and applications.
• Identify and investigate ethical and social considerations relevant to information privacy and security issues.
• Critically review and analyse the current security protocols.

Recommended prerequisite: Foundations of Cryptography.

5 CP – Penetration Testing Fundamentals

Learn penetration testing and threat intelligence methods so you can find and fix security vulnerabilities in an organisation.

Upon successful completion of this short course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyse software tools and technologies for use in system testing so as to provide assurance of network security.
• Evaluate the results of penetration testing in phases in a range of contexts and systems to make recommendations.

10 CP – Applied Penetration Testing and Hacking

Help organisations identify security loopholes that can compromise a system and make appropriate recommendations to safeguard systems.

Advancing on the learning outcomes in Penetration Testing Fundamentals, you’ll be able to:

• Synthesise a range of target scanning methodologies to identify vulnerabilities and reduce risk.
• Apply simple penetration test methods and produce client reports, explaining key findings to diverse audiences.

Recommended prerequisite: Penetration Testing Fundamentals.

5 CP – Introduction to Blockchain

Study the fundamentals of blockchain technology, including how it is applied to modern digital transactions including cryptocurrencies and smart contracts.

Upon successful completion of this short course, you’ll be able to:

• Critically compare the use of blockchains and distributed ledgers as alternatives to traditional approaches to financial transactions in trust-free transactions.
• Evaluate the use of blockchains in different cryptocurrencies to create a set of recommendations for appropriate usage by business and industry.

10 CP – Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

Explore how blockchain can be applied in healthcare, the Internet of Things (IoT) and cybersecurity contexts. Assess the commercial and legal environments needed for cryptocurrency start-ups to ensure business success.

Advancing on the learning outcomes in Introduction to Blockchain, you’ll be able to:

• Evaluate security measures in distributed ledgers to minimise risk.
• Analyse transactions and operations on blockchains and smart contracts required to plan more robust financial systems.
• Assess the commercial and legal environments needed for cryptocurrency start-ups to ensure business success.

Recommended prerequisite: Introduction to Blockchain.

5 CP – Secure Programming: Requirement Analysis and Design

Explore foundational information for strong built-in security in a programming and algorithms environment.

Upon completion of this short course, you’ll be able to:

• Construct solutions to programming problems using algorithms and flowcharts.
• Transform algorithms and flowcharts into source codes to produce working programs.
• Analyse syntax and logical errors in source codes.

10 CP – Secure Programming: Implementation and Testing

Learn about various security vulnerabilities and web attacks and the strategies that can be used to prevent them.

Advancing on the learning outcomes in Secure Programming: Requirement Analysis and Design, you’ll be able to:

• Manage source codes against security vulnerabilities.
• Evaluate security vulnerabilities in different procedural languages, including web applications.
• Create source codes to avoid security vulnerabilities.

Recommended prerequisite: Secure Programming: Requirement Analysis and Design.

5 CP – Introduction to IT Project Management

Explore how effective project management can streamline activities and avoid potential risk.

Upon completion of this short course, you’ll be able to:

• Critique and apply principles of project management from various stakeholder viewpoints
• Conduct effective and collaborative project team meetings through the application of team dynamics knowledge.

10 CP – Key Principles of IT Project Management

Build necessary skills to manage large-scale information technology projects, with a strong focus on the analytical side of project management.

Advancing on the learning outcomes in Introduction to IT Project Management, you’ll be able to:

• Create a project management framework for application to Computer Science & Information Technology projects.
• Critically analyse the security aspects of project development and embed risk mitigation in project management processes.
• Formulate comprehensive strategies based on best practice, for modelling, capturing and storing design information in technology projects.

Recommended prerequisite: Introduction to IT Project Management.

5 CP – Professional Practices in IT

Get an introduction to the importance of ethics in IT and acquire the essential tools and knowledge to develop a personal ethical framework.

Upon successful completion of this short course, you’ll be able to:

• Apply ethical theory to analyse ethical dilemmas in IT and business through debate.
• Develop a personal ethical framework for IT practice incorporating awareness of cultural and global issues.

10 CP – Entrepreneurship and Innovation in IT

Understand the importance of entrepreneurship in IT and gain an introduction to the vital business side of IT to drive change and innovation.

Advancing on the learning outcomes in Professional Practices in IT, you’ll be able to:

• Examine various types of resources to develop and finance an entrepreneurial venture.
• Write, articulate and present a business plan for venture capitalist review.
• Analyse the legal and IP issues you can encounter during the entrepreneurial process.

Recommended prerequisite: Professional Practices in IT.