This course is designed for students in 9th - 11th grade. While it might be helpful if students have some computer science experience, it is not required to successfully complete the course.
Here is a breakdown of the topics by module:
What is Cybersecurity? This module provides an introduction to cybersecurity. It focuses on why cybersecurity is important, recent threats to cybersecurity, and different careers in the field.
Digital Citizenship and Cyber Hygiene Students will learn about topics on Internet etiquette and how to stay safe on the world wide web. Students will also look at the potential effects of our digital footprints, how to protect information from online risks, and the implications of cyberbullying. Finally, the module includes how to find and cite quality resources online.
Programming Fundamentals (JavaScript) Students will learn the fundamentals of programming including variables, arrays, and objects as well as the difference in interpreted and compiled languages. They will explore programming through block coding which includes conditional statements and control structures.
The ABCs of Cryptography Students will dive into the history of cryptography systems, the motivation behind using encryption systems, and basic cryptography systems. Additionally, they will explore topics on how to use cryptography, cryptology, and cryptanalysis to decode a message without the use of a key.
System Administration Students will compare and contrast common operating systems (Windows, Linux, OS) and explain the importance of application security. They will investigate security options and implement user accounts to enforce authentication and authorization. Students will also demonstrate how to work with basic and advanced command prompts.
Software Security In this module, students will learn what happens when running a web application and how to look inside web apps using developer tools, source code, and more. They will learn basic SQL and common attacks like SQLi.Students will also be able to recommend solutions for flawed security systems.
Networking Fundamentals This module explores the structure and design of the internet and networks, and how this design affects the reliability of network communication, the security of data, and personal privacy. Students will learn how the Internet connects computers all over the world by use of networking protocols.
IT Infrastructure Students will learn about the physical elements of computers and networking such as motherboards, RAM, routers, and the use of port numbers, ethernet and wireless devices.
Students will also complete the following projects throughout the course: