School of Cybersecurity · Foundation
Cybersecurity & Network Security Foundations Course
Build the practical security foundation needed for SOC, security operations and cloud-security pathways through hands-on labs.
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Cybersecurity Foundations and RiskNetworking for CybersecurityOperating System and Endpoint SecurityIdentity, Access and Authentication
Risk templatessecurity lab environmentWiresharktcpdumpWindows
How you will learn
What you will learn, module by module
Build foundations in security concepts, networks, identity, risk, vulnerabilities, and defensive practices. Progress from Cybersecurity Foundations and Risk to Incident Response, Resilience and Capstone through guided labs, assessed projects, and portfolio evidence.
01Module 1 · 6 hoursCybersecurity Foundations and RiskPerform a basic risk assessment for a small organisation and prioritize controls.
Topics you will cover
- CIA triad
- Threats/vulnerabilities/risk
- Attack surface
- Security controls
- Governance basics
- Policies
- Ethics
- Tools and platforms
- Risk templates, security lab environment
- Portfolio evidence
- Risk register and control plan
- Assessment
- Risk case and quiz
02Module 2 · 10 hoursNetworking for CybersecurityAnalyze packet captures and map normal versus suspicious network behaviour.
Topics you will cover
- OSI/TCP-IP
- IP/subnetting
- DNS
- HTTP/TLS
- Routing
- Ports/protocols
- Packet flow
- Tools and platforms
- Wireshark, tcpdump
- Portfolio evidence
- Packet analysis notebook/report
- Assessment
- Network practical
03Module 3 · 8 hoursOperating System and Endpoint SecurityHarden Windows/Linux hosts and document baseline deviations.
Topics you will cover
- Windows/Linux fundamentals
- Permissions
- Processes
- Services
- Patching
- Hardening
- Endpoint telemetry
- Tools and platforms
- Windows/Linux VMs, Sysmon concepts
- Portfolio evidence
- Endpoint hardening checklist
- Assessment
- Hardening lab
04Module 4 · 8 hoursIdentity, Access and AuthenticationDesign an IAM model and test role-based access in a lab environment.
Topics you will cover
- Authentication factors
- IAM
- RBAC/ABAC
- Least privilege
- Password security
- MFA
- SSO/federation concepts
- Tools and platforms
- Directory/IAM lab
- Portfolio evidence
- Access-control matrix
- Assessment
- IAM design review
05Module 5 · 8 hoursVulnerability Management and Security TestingScan a lab environment, validate findings and create a remediation backlog.
Topics you will cover
- CVE/CVSS concepts
- Scanning
- Patch prioritisation
- Configuration issues
- Exposure validation
- Remediation workflow
- Reporting
- Tools and platforms
- Nmap, vulnerability scanner in lab
- Portfolio evidence
- Remediation-focused vulnerability assessment
- Assessment
- Vulnerability report
06Module 6 · 6 hoursCryptography and Data ProtectionInspect TLS certificates and design encryption/key-management controls for sample data.
Topics you will cover
- Symmetric/asymmetric cryptography
- Hashing
- PKI
- Certificates
- TLS
- Encryption at rest/in transit
- Key management
- Tools and platforms
- OpenSSL concepts, browser/dev tools
- Portfolio evidence
- Data protection design
- Assessment
- Crypto quiz and lab
07Module 7 · 10 hoursSecurity Operations and MonitoringIngest sample logs, identify suspicious activity and document triage steps.
Topics you will cover
- Logs
- SIEM concepts
- Detection
- Alert triage
- Endpoint/network telemetry
- Baselining
- Threat intelligence basics
- Tools and platforms
- SIEM lab, log sources
- Portfolio evidence
- Security monitoring case file
- Assessment
- SOC lab
08Module 8 · 14 hoursIncident Response, Resilience and CapstoneRun a tabletop breach simulation and produce an incident report plus recovery plan.
Topics you will cover
- IR lifecycle
- Evidence handling
- Containment
- Eradication
- Recovery
- Communication
- Business continuity
- Tools and platforms
- IR templates, security lab
- Portfolio evidence
- Cybersecurity foundations capstone
- Assessment
- Capstone tabletop and report
Projects you will build
2 portfolio projects plus module evidence
Small Business Security Baseline
Assess network, endpoints, IAM, vulnerabilities and monitoring and create an improvement roadmap.
Risk register · hardening checklist · monitoring plan · IR playbookSecurity Operations Starter Lab
Build a small monitored environment and investigate a simulated incident.
Logs · alerts · incident timeline · lessons learned Course value
Why this course
Security foundations become job-relevant when learners can understand networks, identities, vulnerabilities, risk, controls, and incident response as one connected discipline.
The curriculum progresses from Cybersecurity Foundations and Risk to Incident Response, Resilience and Capstone, with guided labs, assessments, and two portfolio projects: Small Business Security Baseline and Security Operations Starter Lab.
Who this course is for
Beginners, IT support/network professionals and graduates entering cybersecurity.
FoundationCybersecurity Engineer
PrerequisitesNo prior cybersecurity experience is required. Basic computer literacy and an interest in networking are sufficient.
What you will be able to do
- Perform a basic risk assessment for a small organisation and prioritize controls.
- Analyze packet captures and map normal versus suspicious network behaviour.
- Harden Windows/Linux hosts and document baseline deviations.
- Design an IAM model and test role-based access in a lab environment.
- Scan a lab environment, validate findings and create a remediation backlog.
- Ingest sample logs, identify suspicious activity and document triage steps.
- Run a tabletop breach simulation and produce an incident report plus recovery plan.
Technology you will use in this course
Risk templatessecurity lab environmentWiresharktcpdumpWindowsLinux VMsSysmon conceptsIAM labNmapvulnerability scanner in labOpenSSL conceptsSIEM lablog sources
Career relevance
Cybersecurity Engineer
This course supports the development of skills relevant to roles such as Cybersecurity Analyst, Junior SOC Analyst, and Security Operations pathway. The strongest learner outcome is a portfolio that shows the problem, implementation, testing or evaluation, documentation and a clear explanation of decisions—not a certificate alone.
Course evidence and instruction
Ranjeet Kumar
Advisor, Brightnest AI Academy · Innovation & Growth LeaderA technologist and data leader with 15+ years of experience applying data, artificial intelligence and machine learning to complex problems, scalable products and business growth.
Learner experience
The SOC project helped me practise alert triage, investigation notes, incident response and the professional reporting expected from analysts.
Industry and technology ecosystem
Microsoft
Clear answers before you enrol
Build the practical security foundation needed for SOC, security operations and cloud-security pathways through hands-on labs.
Is the Cybersecurity Foundations course suitable for beginners?
This is a foundation-level course. No prior cybersecurity experience is required. Basic computer literacy and an interest in networking are sufficient.
What will I build during the course?
You will complete guided labs in every module and build two portfolio projects: Small Business Security Baseline and Security Operations Starter Lab. Deliverables include working files or code, documentation, testing or evaluation evidence, and a final presentation.
Which tools and platforms are covered?
Key tools include Risk templates, security lab environment, Wireshark, tcpdump, Windows, Linux VMs, Sysmon concepts, and Directory. Additional platforms are introduced in relevant modules through practical tasks, and the toolset may evolve as industry practice changes.
How long does the course take?
The course includes approximately 70 guided learning hours across 8 modules, normally delivered over 9–11 weeks depending on batch intensity and learner practice time.
Which career paths can this course support?
The curriculum supports the development of skills relevant to roles such as Cybersecurity Analyst, Junior SOC Analyst, and Security Operations pathway. Career outcomes depend on prior experience, project quality, interview readiness and market conditions; employment is not guaranteed.
Will I receive mentor and career support?
The course includes live instruction, lab support, assignment feedback, project reviews and career preparation covering portfolio development, resume writing, LinkedIn profile improvement, and interview guidance.
Ready to start?
A-56, Sector-64, Noida, Uttar Pradesh – 201301Ready to start your Cybersecurity & Network Security Foundations journey?
Review the full curriculum, experience a live class and confirm the right starting point before enrolling.