About this course: In this MOOC, we will learn the basic cyber security concepts, how to identify vulnerabilities/threat in a network system. We will apply CIA basic security services in the triage of recent cyberattack incidents, such as OPM data breach. We will learn the risk management framework for analyzing the risks in a network system, and apply the basic security design principles to protect the data and secure computer systems. We will examine the trustworthiness of programs and data installed in our systems and show the proper way to verify their integrity and authenticity. We will apply principle of least privileges for controlling the shared access given to different groups of users and system processes. On Amazon Cloud instances, we will use GnuPG software to generate public/private key pair for signing/verifying documents and open source software, and for encrypting documents. We will learn how to publish software, the related signature and release key on web server and publish public key to PGP key server for others to retrieve. We will learn Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Linux utility to serve as a CA for an organization, learn how to sign certificate request for clients or servers in secure email and web applications.
Created by: University of Colorado System
Taught by: Edward Chow, Professor
Computer Science
| Basic Info | Course 1 of 4 in the Fundamentals of Computer Network Security Specialization |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Cybersecurity Concepts and Security Principles
In this module, we will introduce the basic cyber security concepts, enable you to identity root causes of vulnerabilities in a network system and distinguish them from the threats from both inside and outside. We will analyze the enabling factors of recent cyber attack incidences and discuss the basic security services for their defense and triage. We will introduce the risk management framework for analyzing the risks in a network system, and apply the basic security design principles to protect the data and secure the computer systems. Trust is critical and in the center of any secure systems. We will examine the source and authenticity of the programs and data installed in systems we used daily and show the proper way to check their integrity, and verify their authenticity.
6 videos, 5 readings
- Video: Lesson 1. Vulnerabilities and Threats
- Reading: Cybersecurity Concepts
- Discussion Prompt: Vulnerability and Threat
- Video: Method, Opportunity, and Motive
- Reading: M.O.M.
- Video: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability
- Reading: C.I.A.
- LTI Item: Receive AWS Educate Credit for Your Exercises
- Video: Risk, Risk Assessment and Method of Defense
- Reading: NIST RMF
- Video: Security Principles: Defense in Depth, Defense with Diversity, Cyber Resilience
- Reading: Defense in Depth
- Discussion Prompt: Security Principles: Defense in Depth, Defense with Diversity, Cyber Resilience
Graded: Project 1.a Create AWS Account and AWS EC2 Instance
Graded: Exam 1.1. Assess Cybersecurity Concepts and Security Principles Learned
WEEK 2
Protect Data Access and Verify Source of Trust
In this module we apply principle of least privileges for controlling the proper access given to users and system process. We will demonstrate such an access control by using an example of project document access control using the Unix file access mechanism. We use OPM data breach example to show the impact and the need for principle of adequate data protection. Trust is critical and in the center of any secure systems. We will examine the source and authenticity of the programs and data installed in systems we used daily and show the proper way to check their integrity, and verify their authenticity.
3 videos, 3 readings
- Reading: Apply Principle of Least Privileges for Access Control
- Video: Principle of Adequate Data Protection
- Reading: Inside the Cyberattack that Shocked the US Government", by Brendan Koerner on OPM breach
- Video: In Software We Trust. Really?
- Reading: also good to add some additional reading beyond the slides
Graded: Project 1b. Create Shared Project Policy and Implement with Access Control
Graded: Exam 1.2. Assess How to Protect Data Access and Verify Source of Trust
WEEK 3
Using GPG to Sign/Verify Software
In this module, we introduce GPG software tool for generating public key private key pair for signing/verifying the documents and to encrypt documents, and publish our public key on our web server and PGP key server for others to retrieve. We will use GnuPG software tool to verify the common opensource software packages such as apache and putty. We will also learn how to sign software and the proper way to list the software package, their pgp signature, and our signing public key on a web site.
3 videos, 3 readings
- Reading: The GNU Privacy Handbook
- Video: Verify Software Integrity and Authenticity
- Reading: Making and verifying signatures
- Video: Web of Trust
- Reading: How to send/receive encrypted email with GnuPG
Graded: Project 1c. Use gpg to sign and verify open source software.
Graded: Exam 1.3. Assess the skill of using gpg to sign and verify software.
WEEK 4
Be a CA, Setup Secure Server and Client Certificate
In this module, we will learn the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), how CA operates, and the certificates signing and verification process. We will utilize the utility command in a Linux system to serve as a CA for an organization, learn how to sign certificate request for clients or servers both secure email or secure web access purpose. We will earn how to generate server certificate requests as a webmaster, send them to CA for signing and install the signed certificates in Apache web server for secure web access. We will also set up apache web server for requiring clients to present their client certificates for mutual authentication. We will also guide you to set client certificate on browser for mutual authentication and on a mail client for signing and encrypting emails.
6 videos, 5 readings
- Reading: Verisign
- Video: What are in a Certificate?
- Reading: Secure Web Access
- Video: Being Your Own CA
- Video: Server Certificate and Installation
- Reading: Server Certificates
- Video: Setup Client Certificate
- Reading: Client Certificates
- Video: Client Server Mutual Authentication
- Reading: Example of Mutual Authentication
Graded: Project 1d. Create, Sign and Install Web Server Certificate
Graded: Exam 1.4. Assess PKI Concepts and Certificates Creation/Signing with PKI
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University of Colorado System
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Pricing
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| Access to course materials | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
This course is awesome
The course is excellent in terms of syllabus and objectives. IN my view, it would be even better if there were more explanations about the practical exercises
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This is well organised course its a great assets to my profile.