CSS 101: Cybersecurity Fundamentals

Course Description

This course covers the importance of cybersecurity in today's business operations and explores the job responsibilities and skills of an entry-level cybersecurity analyst. There is an emphasis on how cybersecurity professionals use frameworks and controls to protect business operations. Additionally, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) data and the use of a playbook to respond to identified threats, risks, and vulnerabilities is also covered.  (3 credits)

Prerequisite

  • None

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Explain how security attacks impact business operations, including the implications for technology, collaboration, and value creation.
  2. Explore the job responsibilities and core skills required for an entry-level cybersecurity analyst, emphasizing the use of frameworks and controls to protect business operations.
  3. Recognize the development of the cybersecurity field from past and present attacks.
  4. Describe the CISSP eight security domains and their significance in the field of cybersecurity.
  5. Explain various security domains, frameworks, and controls used in cybersecurity, emphasizing their importance in protecting business operations.
  6. Describe the ethical considerations in cybersecurity, including the importance of ethical behavior and decision-making in security practices.
  7. Identify and describe common tools used by cybersecurity analysts for monitoring, analyzing, and responding to security threats, risks, and vulnerabilities.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions

25%

Quizzes

25%

Google Curriculum

25%

Group Project

25%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

  • This course uses Open Educational Resources (OER). OER are openly licensed, educational resources that can be used for teaching, learning and research. OER may consist of a variety of resources such as textbooks, videos and software that are no cost for students.

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1,2

Topic: Introduction to Cybersecurity

 

  • Foundations of Cybersecurity – Module 1
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Take Week 1 Quiz

2

3,4

Topic: History & Security Domains

  • Foundations of Cybersecurity – Module 2
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Take Week 2 Quiz

3

5,6

Topic: Basic Principles & Ethics

  • Foundations of Cybersecurity – Module 3
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Submit Week 3 Written Assignment
    • Using the NIST CSF
  • Take Week 3 Quiz

4

7

Topics: Cyber Tools

  • Foundations of Cybersecurity – Module 4
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Submit Week 3 Written Assignment
    • Draft a Professional Statement
  • Take Week 4 Quiz
  • Group Project: MS1 – Topic Selection

5

4,5

Topic: Security Domains

 

  • Play it Safe: Manage Security Risks Module 1
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Take the Week 5 Quiz
  • Group Project MS2 – Final Project Topic

6

4,5

Topic: Security Frameworks and Controls

 

  • Play it Safe: Manage Security Risks Module 2
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Submit Week 6 Written Assignment
    • Conduct a Security Audit
  • Take the Week 6 Quiz

7

7

Topics: Introduction to Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

  • Play it Safe: Manage Security Risks Module 3
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Take the Week 7 Quiz
  • Group Project MS3 - Submit Rough Drafts

8

3,6

Topics: Response to Threats, Risks, and Vulnerabilities

  • Play it Safe: Manage Security Risks Module 4
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Take the Week 8 Quiz
  • Group Project MS4 – Final Project
  • Complete the Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.