Cybersecurity Analysis for Network Administrators, Microcredential, Part-time

Program Overview

This program provides a comprehensive foundation in cybersecurity, covering network programming, ethical hacking, network defense, SIEM/SOAR, and forensic investigation. Through hands-on simulations and industry-standard tools, students develop practical skills to assess, protect, and investigate cybersecurity threats. Upon completion, learners receive a badge attesting to their mastery of these skills, preparing them for careers as security analysts, consultants, penetration testers, SIEM analysts, and forensic investigators.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Network Programming for Security Analysts
This course is an introduction to computer programming terminology and concepts. Students will learn to write basic programs using loops, statements, variables, functions, and arrays and how to connect different network devices through python code. Students will learn how to extract specific data from different types of logs. Practical exercises provide students the exposure to computer programming and the ability to interpret programming code.
• Ethical Hacking
This course prepares students to assess and then correct vulnerabilities present within information systems. Students are introduced to tools and penetration testing methodologies used by ethical hackers. What and who ethical hackers are and how they protect corporate and government data from cyber-attacks is discussed. Methods and tools used in attacks and their countermeasures as well as available security resources and "attack type" systems are also investigated.
• Network Defense Essential
This course explores essential security defense concepts with a focus on FortiGate Firewalls. Students will learn about specific types of security attacks, how to work with the next generation of firewalls (NGFW). Students will learn what is new in NGFW and how they can use these technologies to secure the network. Hands-on activities include working with NGFW, and implementing VPN in different scenarios in a lab environment.
• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)/Security Orchestration Automation & Response (SOAR)
In this course, you will learn about FortiSIEM initial configurations, architecture, and the discovery of devices on the network and SOAR products in the industry. You will also learn how to collect performance information and aggregate it with Syslog data to enrich the overall view of the health of your environment, how to use the configuration database to greatly facilitate compliance audits, and how to integrate FortiSIEM into your network awareness infrastructure.
• Forensic Investigation
This course will introduce learners to Computer Forensics Fundamentals as well as the Computer Forensics Investigation Process. Students will learn about Dark Web, Windows, Linux, Malware Forensics, and how to use different tools to investigate web and email attacks. This course will provide students with in-depth knowledge and practical experience on current investigation tools.

Assessment:

Upon successful completion, learners will receive a badge that attests to the mastery of new acquired skills. Evaluation methods will include a mix of hands-on, practical scenario-based simulations and written exams (multiple-choice, short answers, true/false questions) to evaluate knowledge of learners.

Teaching:

Faculty

• Hamidreza Talebi, MSc Network Security, CCNP

Staff

• Paul Morrison, BEng, AScT, Interim Associate Dean
• Selina Li, Program Assistant

Teaching Methods

• Online delivery
• Distance and online learning

Unique Approaches

• Hands-on, practical scenario-based simulations
• Industry-standard tools and technologies

Careers:

• security analyst
• security consultant
• penetration tester
• SIEM analyst
• forensic investigator