CS406: Information Security | Saylor Academy (2024)

      • Course Introduction

        • Time: 46 hours

        • Free Certificate

        The first network was invented in the late 1960s with the birth of ARPAnet, a project launched by the US Department of Defense (DoD). That network advanced into what is now known as the Internet and has grown into a global phenomenon to become an integral part of our daily lives. The Internet connects the world on a social, business, and governmental level. So much information is stored and transferred online that the Internet has become a target for criminals. Any devices connected to the Internet must be protected from unauthorized disclosure using tools prescribed by the discipline of information security.

        This course covers information security principles, an area of study that engages in protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. Information security continues to grow with advancements in technology – as technology advances, so do threats, attacks, and our efforts to mitigate them. In this course, we discuss the modes of threats and attacks on information systems. We also discuss an important area of threat mitigation that saw rapid development in the twentieth century: cryptography. Information security is concerned with user identification and authentication and access control based on individual or group privileges. The basic access control models and the fundamentals of identification and authentication methods are included in this course.

        Without networks, our focus would primarily be on controlling unauthorized physical access. Instead, networks are the way we keep data in motion, making information security a more complex task. We discuss methods to design secure networks using firewalls, tunneling, and encryption, and we describe some tools to secure networks such as honeypots, network sniffers, and packet capturing. Operating systems that connect to a network must be hardened to prevent unauthorized disclosure. Methods and tools such as patching, logging, antivirus, and antimalware tools are discussed.

        The last topic in this course is global privacy laws. When unauthorized disclosure or a breach of information occurs, there are adverse effects and penalties placed on individuals or organizations depending on the area of jurisdiction. Laws are diverse and vary greatly throughout the world, and we are still trying to develop laws that will protect privacy globally.

        In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of information security, security threats, modes of attack, and cryptographic models. Access control, identification, and authentication are also addressed. Network security and operating system (OS) hardening are explained along with intrusion detection and prevention. The course concludes with global privacy laws.

      • Unit 1: Introduction to Information Security

        This course begins with an overview of information security and its evolution. This first section introduces the core goals of information security; the CIA triad. Some common information security terms and processes used in the information security industry are defined and outlined. Types of controls and their function are categorized so the learner can comprehend the design of a defense-in-depth system. The unit concludes with a justification of why humans are known as the weakest link in information security and describes how security awareness training can serve to mitigate this risk. The topics in this unit are in preparation for the more detailed security topics in the following units.

        Completing this unit should take you approximately 6 hours.

      • Unit 2: Threats and Attack Modes

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      • Unit 3: Cryptographic Models

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      • Unit 4: Access Control

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      • Unit 5: Identification and Authentication

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      • Unit 6: Network Security

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      • Unit 7: Operating System (OS) Security

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      • Unit 8: Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems

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      • Unit 9: Privacy Laws, Penalties, and Privacy Issues

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      • Study Guide

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      • Course Feedback Survey

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      • Certificate Final Exam

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    CS406: Information Security | Saylor Academy (2024)

    FAQs

    What is information security courses? ›

    Individuals who wish to build their skills and advance their careers can enroll in information security programs that cover topics such as network and security foundations, IT foundations, introduction to cybersecurity, Python scripting, penetration testing, and cloud computing security.

    What is authenticity in information security? ›

    The property of being genuine and being able to be verified and trusted; confidence in the validity of a transmission, message, or message originator.

    What is integrity in cryptography? ›

    NIST SP 800-57 Part 2 Rev.1 under Integrity. In a cryptographic context: the property that sensitive data has not been modified or deleted in an unauthorized and undected manner since it was created, transmitted or stored.

    What is confidentiality in cryptography? ›

    Confidentiality of data is enforced by using encryption. Encryption algorithms can be symmetric – here sender and recipient of a message need the same key – or asymmetric – sender and recipient use different keys.

    Is information security a hard degree? ›

    Learning cybersecurity can be challenging, but it doesn't have to be difficult, especially if you're passionate about technology. Nurture a curiosity for the technologies you're working with, and you might find that challenging skills become easier.

    How long does it take to learn information security? ›

    Cyber security concepts take about a year or two to understand fully. The study of cyber security takes longer than programming fields and cannot be completed in three months. The school path you choose and whether you have technical skills beforehand significantly impact how long it will take.

    What are the 5 elements of information security? ›

    The U.S. Department of Defense has promulgated the Five Pillars of Information Assurance model that includes the protection of confidentiality, integrity, availability, authenticity, and non-repudiation of user data.

    What are the three pillars of information security? ›

    The CIA triad refers to an information security model made up of the three main components: confidentiality, integrity and availability.

    What is the CIA in information security? ›

    The three letters in "CIA triad" stand for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. The CIA triad is a common model that forms the basis for the development of security systems.

    What is the difference between data security and data integrity? ›

    Data security refers to the protection of data against unauthorized access or corruption and is necessary to ensure data integrity. That said, data integrity is a desired result of data security, but the term data integrity refers only to the validity and accuracy of data rather than the act of protecting data.

    What is an example of a CIA in cyber security? ›

    CIA Triad Examples

    The two-factor authentication (debit card with the PIN code) provides confidentiality before authorizing access to sensitive data. The ATM and bank software ensure data integrity by maintaining all transfer and withdrawal records made via the ATM in the user's bank accounting.

    What are three main goals of security? ›

    Included in this definition are three terms that are generally regarded as the high-level security objectives – integrity, availability, and confidentiality.

    How is encryption different from hashing? ›

    Encryption is a two-way function where information is scrambled in such a way that it can be unscrambled later. Hashing is a one-way function where data is mapped to a fixed-length value. Hashing is primarily used for authentication.

    Does hash algorithm provide integrity? ›

    Hash values are also useful for verifying the integrity of data sent through insecure channels. The hash value of received data can be compared to the hash value of data as it was sent to determine whether the data was altered.

    Can I learn cyber security in 6 months? ›

    Generally, cyber security online courses are 3 to 6 months long. If you complete the course on time, you will become a certified cyber security professional.

    Can you teach yourself cyber security? ›

    You can learn cybersecurity on your own, thanks to the multitude of online courses and learning resources available these days. For example, top schools such as MIT, Harvard, Stanford, and many others have open courseware that you can use to learn cybersecurity concepts from the best of the best instructors.

    Do you need to know math for cyber security? ›

    Entry-level cybersecurity jobs don't typically require strong math skills, however as you move up the ladder and the work gets more complex, you'll need to get more comfortable using specific math-based disciplines.

    How to get into information security with no experience? ›

    Here are some steps you can take to get a job in cybersecurity without prior professional experience:
    1. Determine your level of preparation. ...
    2. Identify your preferred career path. ...
    3. Access resources to complement your knowledge. ...
    4. Experiment with your skills. ...
    5. Pursue certification. ...
    6. Apply to entry-level openings.
    Mar 16, 2023

    Is cyber security harder than coding? ›

    Is Cyber Security Harder Than Programming? Cyber security can sometimes be more difficult than programming because it includes many different elements, including programming itself. As a cyber security analyst, you must understand how to code, infiltrate code, and prevent infiltration.

    Is IT too late to learn about cyber security? ›

    In conclusion, learning cybersecurity is never too late! We're not just saying this – we know it as we have helped thousands of people transition into a new cybersecurity career. Their success stories prove that you can switch to cybersecurity at any age with enough motivation, dedication, and the right mindset.

    What are the 7 P's of information security? ›

    We outline the anatomy of the AMBI-CYBER architecture adopting a balanced scorecard, multistage approach under a 7Ps stage gate model (Patient, Persistent, Persevering, Proactive, Predictive, Preventive, and Preemptive).

    What are the 6 P's of information security? ›

    Information security management is said to consist of “six P's”: planning, policy, programs, protection, people, and project management. Consider at least three of these six. Discuss why they are important and what role they fill in maintaining and supporting information security within an organization.

    What are the four stages in information security? ›

    However, before we get to the four major components of the information security lifecycle, Identify, Assess, Protect, and Monitor, we must take a look at the policies and procedures that will shape your company's specific information security lifecycle.

    What are the essential 8 security controls? ›

    Learn the basics
    • Recognise and report scams.
    • Set secure passphrases.
    • Set up and perform regular backups.
    • Turn on multi-factor authentication.
    • Update your devices.
    • Watch out for threats.

    What are the 6 dimensions of is security? ›

    The Security Dimensions are: (1) Access Control, (2) Authentication, (3) Non-repudiation, (4) Data Confidentiality, (5) Communication Security, (6) Data Integrity, (7) Availability, and (8) Privacy.

    What is the single largest threat to information security? ›

    Negligent or careless employees who do not follow security policies – 78%

    What are the four types of threats? ›

    Threats can be classified into four different categories; direct, indirect, veiled, conditional.

    What are the three A's of security and data protection? ›

    Collectively known as the 'CIA triad', confidentiality, integrity and availability are the three key elements of information security.

    What is the information security triangle? ›

    The CIA Triad—Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability—is a guiding model in information security. A comprehensive information security strategy includes policies and security controls that minimize threats to these three crucial components.

    What is the biggest vulnerability to computer information security? ›

    Human error – When end users fall victim to phishing and other social engineering tactics, they become one of the biggest causes of vulnerabilities in security.

    How do you protect data at rest? ›

    Arguably, encryption is the best form of protection for data at rest—it's certainly one of the best. You can encrypt files that will be at rest either before storing them or by encrypting the entirety of a given storage drive or device.

    What are the two types of data integrity? ›

    Maintaining data integrity requires an understanding of the two types of data integrity: physical integrity and logical integrity. Both are collections of processes and methods that enforce data integrity in both hierarchical and relational databases.

    What is integrity security in SQL? ›

    Data integrity in the database is the correctness, consistency and completeness of data. Data integrity is enforced using the following three integrity constraints: Entity Integrity - This is related to the concept of primary keys.

    What is the difference between data security and cyber security? ›

    If you are going for data security, your major concern is that no one gets access to your company's data in any unauthorized manner. And if you are trying for cyber security, your major responsibility is to make sure that no one tampers with your electronic data in any unauthorized manner.

    How do I become a CIA cyber security? ›

    Agency-wide Requirements
    1. U.S. citizens (dual U.S. citizens also eligible)
    2. At least 18 years of age.
    3. Willing to move to the Washington, DC area.
    4. Able to complete security and medical evaluations.
    5. Registered for the Selective Service.

    What is a real time example of CIA? ›

    A Real-world Example Of CIA Triad

    Think of a mobile payment application where customers can check their bank balances and other transactional information. Before giving admittance to sensitive data, two-factor authentication confirms confidentiality.

    Can cyber security work for CIA? ›

    About the Job

    As a Cyber Security Researcher for CIA, you will focus in the cyber arena and specialize in the design, development, integration, and deployment of cutting edge tools, techniques, and systems to support cyber operations and other intelligence activities.

    What is the 3 major division of security? ›

    There are three primary areas or classifications of security controls. These include management security, operational security, and physical security controls.

    What is the first step to understanding a security? ›

    The first step of security awareness is simply to understand the risks. Risks are the foundation of broader security programs and apply directly to human risk and security awareness. This means being aware of the potential threats and vulnerabilities that exist in your organization's technology and processes.

    What do you do you see an employee taking photos in the server room? ›

    You see an employee taking photos in the server room. What do you do? Ask them not to take photos in secure areas like server rooms, labs etc. and raise a security incident.

    What are rainbow attacks? ›

    A rainbow table attack is a password cracking method that uses a special table (a “rainbow table”) to crack the password hashes in a database. Applications don't store passwords in plaintext, but instead encrypt passwords using hashes.

    What is salting in cyber security? ›

    What is password salting? Password salting is a technique to protect passwords stored in databases by adding a string of 32 or more characters and then hashing them. Salting prevents hackers who breach an enterprise environment from reverse-engineering passwords and stealing them from the database.

    Does Bitcoin use hashing or encryption? ›

    What cryptography does Bitcoin use? Bitcoin uses elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) and the Secure Hash Algorithm 256 (SHA-256) to generate public keys from their respective private keys.

    What are 4 key cryptography pillars? ›

    There are five pillars of cryptology:
    • Confidentiality: keep communication private.
    • Integrity: detect unauthorized alteration to communication.
    • Authentication: confirm identity of sender.
    • Authorization: establish level of access for trusted parties.
    • Non-repudiation: prove that communication was received.
    Nov 2, 2015

    What are 4 characteristics a strong hashing algorithm should possess? ›

    The Characteristics of Cryptographic Hash Functions

    It accepts a message of any length. It produces a fixed-length message digest. It is easy (and therefore fast) to compute the message digest for any given message. The hash is irreversible – it is not possible to generate a message from its message digest.

    Do banks use hashing? ›

    For example: In the bank, when you apply for a credit card. You create a password to help you access your account. The bank system does not save your password. The bank system runs the password through a hashing algorithm.

    What are the benefits of information security course? ›

    Security awareness training helps protect the organization's data, systems, and networks from malicious attacks and cyber threats. It helps employees understand the importance of cybersecurity and teaches them how to identify potential threats and respond appropriately.

    Is information security is a good career? ›

    Considering the good salary, flexible work hours, and the option to work from home, most people are now preparing themselves for a career in cyber security. People who join the industry are extremely satisfied with their careers. They can achieve a good work-life balance, one that is sought after in most industries.

    Why should I study information security? ›

    There are great opportunities for anyone starting a career in cybersecurity: Salaries in cyber security have a greater growth potential than 90% other industries. For senior security professionals, earnings can surpass the average median by a vast amount. Earnings are based on merit, not your sex, age or ethnicity.

    Is information security a good degree? ›

    Is it worth getting a degree in cybersecurity? Yes. For individuals who want a career in the field, a cybersecurity degree can lead to a variety of well-paid information security jobs. Most cybersecurity positions require at least a bachelor's degree, with a master's preferred for some senior roles.

    What is the main purpose of information security? ›

    Information security protects sensitive information from unauthorized activities, including inspection, modification, recording, and any disruption or destruction. The goal is to ensure the safety and privacy of critical data such as customer account details, financial data or intellectual property.

    What are the 3 importance of information security? ›

    Reduce the risk of data breaches and attacks in IT systems. Apply security controls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. Prevent disruption of services, e.g., denial-of-service attacks. Protect IT systems and networks from exploitation by outsiders.

    What are the three main purposes of information security? ›

    When we discuss data and information, we must consider the CIA triad. The CIA triad refers to an information security model made up of the three main components: confidentiality, integrity and availability. Each component represents a fundamental objective of information security.

    Do you need math for information security? ›

    Entry-level cybersecurity jobs don't typically require strong math skills, however as you move up the ladder and the work gets more complex, you'll need to get more comfortable using specific math-based disciplines.

    Is information security a stressful job? ›

    What are the cons of working in cybersecurity? High-stress and demanding hours. Companies lack knowledge and/or resources. Some repetitive, boring tasks.

    How to start in cyber security with no experience? ›

    IT Training Courses and Certifications For People With No Experience. You have to consider that the United States Government requires a CompTIA Security + Training Course leading to certification when considering applicants. This course is a great foundation course in cybersecurity for any student starting a new career ...

    Which degree is best for cyber security? ›

    Here are the top ten best degrees for a career in cybersecurity:
    • Computer Science.
    • Computer Programming.
    • Database Management.
    • Computer Hardware Engineering.
    • Network Administration.
    • Cloud Computing.
    • Information Technology Management.
    • Information Security & Assurance.

    Do I need a degree for cyber security? ›

    You can get an entry-level cybersecurity job without a degree. Bootcamps, industry certifications, and self-guided education can prepare individuals to pursue roles in the field. However, management or advanced technical roles often require formal academic preparation.

    Which is better cybersecurity or information security? ›

    While cyber security deals with protecting the information in cyberspace, information security means protecting the data in cyberspace and beyond.
    ...
    Cyber Security vs. Information Security.
    Cyber SecurityInformation Security
    Protects data in cyberspaceHelps secure avenues to access data
    2 more rows
    Apr 6, 2023

    Do you have to be good at math to be a information security analyst? ›

    The quickly growing field of cybersecurity is no exception. Entry-level careers require at least high-school level math and algebra, and highly technical security jobs require even more advanced math.

    Is there a high demand for information security? ›

    In today's digital age, cybersecurity has become a critical aspect of almost every business. Cyber threats are increasing daily, and businesses must take proactive measures to protect their networks and data. As a result, the demand for cybersecurity professionals has skyrocketed.

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