Cybersecurity Essentials

Course Description:

Every day, Cybersecurity threats are growing in complexity and scale. In their Global Risks Report (2021) publication, even the World Economic Forum listed Cybersecurity failure among the top 5 global risks, along with threats like extreme weather and infectious diseases. At the same time, organizations everywhere seek new cybersecurity talent. 
In this course, learners develop workforce readiness skills and build a foundation for success in cybersecurity-related careers. With video and rich interactive media support, participants learn, apply, and practice cybersecurity knowledge and skills through a series of in-depth, hands-on experiences and simulated activities that reinforce their learning. 
Cybersecurity Essentials teaches comprehensive cybersecurity concepts and skills at the entry level, from threat mitigation and defense to post-incident forensics. Learners will progress from basic cybersecurity concepts to experiences in assessing vulnerabilities and risks later in the curriculum. 
This course is offered in partnership with Michigan Information Technology Training, LLC. (MITT)

Course Details:

Course Title (District): Cybersecurity Essentials
Course Title (NCES SCED) : Network Security
Course Provider : Michigan Virtual
Content Provided By : Michigan Information Technology Training, LLC
Online Instructor Provided By : Michigan Information Technology Training, LLC
Standards Addressed : Michigan Center for Career and Technical Education
Alignment Document : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1motQBs9wBKiYD1QcGi4z35N5LQdJGpsmrK6cyBkqwkI/edit?usp=sharing
Academic Terms : Semester, Trimester, Accelerated
NCES SCED Code : 10108
Subject Area : Information Technology
Course Identifier : Network Security
Course Level : High School (Secondary)
Available Credit : 0.5
Sequence : 1 of 1

How To Enroll:

Enrollment Website : https://slp.michiganvirtual.org/
Email : [email protected]
Phone : (888) 889-2840

Students and Parents: It is important to work closely with your local school counselor or registrar to follow the school's enrollment procedures. By clicking the "Start Registration Request" button below, you will be able to notify the school of your interest in registering for the online course. However, it is the responsibility of the district or school to review the registration request and approve or deny the request. Please make a note to follow up with your school after submitting a registration request.

Start Registration Request

Additional Course Information:

Additional Cost Description:

None

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to...

  • Explain how threat actors execute some of the most common types of cyber attacks
  • Explain network security principles
  • Explain how TCP/IP vulnerabilities enable network attacks
  • Recommend measures to mitigate threats
  • Troubleshoot a wireless network
  • Explain how devices and services are used to enhance network security
  • Use Windows administrative tools
  • Implement basic Linux security
  • Evaluate endpoint protection and the impacts of malware
  • Use cybersecurity best practices to improve confidentiality, integrity, and availability
  • Explain approaches to network security defense
  • Implement some of the various aspects of system and network defense
  • Configure local and server-based access control
  • Implement access control lists (ACLs) to filter traffic and mitigate network attacks
  • Explain how firewalls are implemented to provide network security
  • Implement Zone-Based Policy Firewall using the CLI
  • Recommend cloud security requirements based on a given cloud scenario
  • Determine the cryptographic techniques that are required to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity
  • Explain how security technologies affect security monitoring
  • Use different types of logs and records to store information regarding hosts and the network
  • Explain the process of evaluating alerts
  • Create documents and policies related to cybersecurity governance and compliance
  • Use tools for network security testing
  • Evaluate threat intelligence sources
  • Explain how endpoint vulnerabilities are assessed and managed
  • Select security controls based on risk assessment outcomes
  • Use incident response models and forensic techniques to investigate security incidents

NSQ National Standards for Quality Online Courses

Rating Comments
A1. A course overview and syllabus are included in the online course Fully Met
A2. Minimum computer skills and digital literacy skills expected of the learner are clearly stated.* Fully Met
A3. The instructor’s biographical information and information on how to communicate with the instructor are provided to learners and other stakeholders. Fully Met
A4. Learner expectations and policies are clearly stated and readily accessible within the introductory material of the course. Fully Met
A5. Minimum technology requirements for the course are clearly stated, and information on how to obtain the technologies is provided.* Fully Met
A6. Grading policies and practices are clearly defined in accordance with course content learning expectations. Fully Met
A7. The online course provides a clear description or link to the technical support offered and how to obtain it.* Fully Met
A8. Learners are offered an orientation prior to the start of the online course. Fully Met
Rating Comments
B1. The online course objectives or competencies are measurable and clearly state what the learner will be able to demonstrate as a result of successfully completing the course.* Partially Met Learning objectives are measurable, but are not displayed within the course content for students, limiting them to listings in the standards alignment document attached in the syllabus; this may make the intended learning outcomes less apparent to students at the time of completing assessments.
B2. The online course expectations are consistent with course-level objectives or competencies, are representative of the structure of the course, and are clearly stated. Fully Met
B3. The online course content is aligned with accepted state and/or other accepted content standards, where applicable.* Fully Met
B4. Digital literacy and communication skills are incorporated and taught as an integral part of the curriculum.* Fully Met
B5. Supplemental learning resources and related instructional materials are available to support and enrich learning and are aligned to the specific content being delivered.* Fully Met
B6. The online course content and supporting materials reflect a culturally diverse perspective that is free of bias.* Fully Met
B7. The online course materials (e.g., textbooks, primary source documents, OER) that support course content standards are accurate and current. Fully Met
B8. The online course is free of adult content and avoids unnecessary advertisements.* Fully Met
B9. Copyright and licensing status for any third-party content is appropriately cited and easily found. Fully Met
B10. Documentation and other support materials are available to support effective online course facilitation.* Not Met The course appears to teacher resources, including a lack answer keys, scoring guides, or rubrics for instructor graiding of assessments. NOTE: Given the unique nature of the curriculum being provided by a Cisco Netacademy, it is possible that such resources exist for Netacademy resources outside of the LMS, but this has not been verified.
Rating Comments
C1. The online course design includes activities that guide learners toward promoting ownership of their learning and self-monitoring. Fully Met
C2. The online course’s content and learning activities promote the achievement of the stated learning objectives or competencies. Fully Met
C3. The online course is organized by units and lessons that fall into a logical sequence. Fully Met
C4. The online course content is appropriate to the reading level of the intended learners.* Fully Met
C5. The online course design includes introductory assignments or activities to engage learners within the first week of the course. Fully Met
C6. The online course provides learners with multiple learning paths as appropriate, based on learner needs, that engage learners in a variety of ways. Fully Met
C7. The online course provides regular opportunities for learner-learner interaction. Fully Met
C8. The online course design provides opportunities for learner-instructor interaction, including opportunities for regular feedback about learner progress.* Fully Met
C9. Online course instructional materials and resources present content in an effective, engaging, and appropriate manner.* Fully Met
Rating Comments
D1. Learner assessments are linked to stated course, unit, or lesson-level objectives or competencies. Fully Met
D2. Valid course assessments measure learner progress toward mastery of content. Fully Met
D3. Assessment practices provide routine and varied opportunities for self-monitoring and reflection of learning.* Fully Met
D4. Assessment materials provide the learner with the flexibility to demonstrate mastery in a variety of ways.* Fully Met
D5. Rubrics that clearly define expectations for varied levels of proficiency are created and shared with learners.* Not Met No rubrics attached to assignment instructions.
Rating Comments
E1. Online course navigation is logical, consistent, and efficient from the learner’s point of view.* Fully Met
E2. The online course design facilitates readability.* Fully Met
E3. The online course provides accessible course materials and activities to meet the needs of diverse learners.* Partially Met Alt text for images could only be detected in some cases, but not consistently. Videos lacked transcripts. Two of the three videos examined provided closed captioning.
E4. Course multimedia facilitate ease of use.* Fully Met
E5. Vendor accessibility statements are provided for all technologies required in the course.* Fully Met
Rating Comments
F1. Educational tools ensure learner privacy and maintain confidentiality of learner information in accordance with local, state, and national laws for learner data. Fully Met
F2. The online course tools support the learning objectives or competencies.* Fully Met
F3. The online course provides options for the instructor to adapt learning activities to accommodate learners’ needs and preferences.* Fully Met
F4. The course allows instructors to control the release of content.* Partially Met Michigan Virtual provides for flexible pacing and asynchronous delivery of its online course offerings. In order to maximize these opportunities for personalized learner preferences and flexibility concerning frequency or timing of individual learner availability or participation in courses during academic terms, with few exceptions, all course content is made available at all times throughout the term, and generally only midterm or final exams are password protected. Conditional release of content is intentionally avoided or used sparingly within Michigan Virtual course design and instructional delivery models.
F5. The course provides the necessary technical functionality to score and record assessments and calculate earned course points or grades.* Fully Met
Rating Comments
G1. The online course uses multiple methods and sources of input for assessing course effectiveness. Fully Met
G2. The online course is reviewed to ensure that the course is current. Fully Met
G3. The online course is updated on a continuous improvement cycle for effectiveness based on the findings from ongoing reviews. Fully Met

Review Conducted By: Michigan Virtual
Date of Review: 10/31/2024

Topic 1: Network Security

  • Threats, Vulnerabilities and Attacks
  • Securing Networks
  • Attacking the Foundation
  • Attacking What We Do
  • Wireless Communication Devices
  • Networking Security Infrastructure

Topic 2: OS and Endpoint Security

  • Windows Operating System
  • Linux Overview
  • System and Endpoint Protection
  • Principles, Practices, Processes

Topic 3: Processes of Network Security

  • Understanding Defense
  • System / Network Defense
  • Access Control

Topic 4: Firewalls, Cryptography and Cloud Security

  • Access Control Lists
  • Firewall Technologies
  • Zone-Based Policy Firewalls
  • Cloud Security
  • Cryptography

Topic 5: Evaluating Security Alerts

  • Technologies / Protocols
  • Network Security Data
  • Evaluating Alerts

Topic 6: Vulnerability Assessment and Risk Management

  • Governance / Compliance
  • Security Assessments
  • Threat Intelligence
  • Endpoint Vulnerability Assessment
  • Risk Management / Security Controls

Topic 7: Incident Response

  • Digital Forensics / Incident Analysis
Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends Random Draw Date Enrollment Drop Date Course Starts Course Ends # of Seats Course Fee Potential Additional Costs
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 01/24/2025 01/10/2025 05/30/2025 100 $425
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 01/31/2025 01/17/2025 06/06/2025 100 $425
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 02/07/2025 01/24/2025 06/13/2025 100 $425
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 02/14/2025 01/31/2025 06/20/2025 100 $425
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 02/21/2025 02/07/2025 06/20/2025 100 $425
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 02/28/2025 02/14/2025 06/20/2025 100 $425
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 03/07/2025 02/21/2025 06/20/2025 100 $425
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 03/14/2025 02/28/2025 06/20/2025 100 $425
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 03/21/2025 03/07/2025 06/20/2025 100 $425
Trimester 03/29/2024 03/28/2025 07/01/2024 03/07/2025 02/21/2025 05/23/2025 100 $425
Trimester 03/29/2024 03/28/2025 07/01/2024 03/14/2025 02/28/2025 05/30/2025 100 $425
Trimester 03/29/2024 03/28/2025 07/01/2024 03/21/2025 03/07/2025 06/06/2025 100 $425
Trimester 03/29/2024 03/28/2025 07/01/2024 03/28/2025 03/14/2025 06/13/2025 100 $425
Trimester 03/29/2024 03/28/2025 07/01/2024 04/04/2025 03/21/2025 06/20/2025 100 $425
Accelerated 01/02/2025 06/27/2025 04/01/2025 06/06/2025 05/23/2025 08/01/2025 100 $425
Accelerated 01/02/2025 06/27/2025 04/01/2025 06/13/2025 05/30/2025 08/08/2025 100 $425
Accelerated 01/02/2025 06/27/2025 04/01/2025 06/20/2025 06/06/2025 08/15/2025 100 $425
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 01/17/2025 01/03/2025 05/23/2025 100 $425
Drop Policy Completion Policy Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Trimester 03/29/2024 03/28/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Trimester 03/29/2024 03/28/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Trimester 03/29/2024 03/28/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Trimester 03/29/2024 03/28/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Trimester 03/29/2024 03/28/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Accelerated 01/02/2025 06/27/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Accelerated 01/02/2025 06/27/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Accelerated 01/02/2025 06/27/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students can use email or the private message system within the Student Learning Portal to access highly qualified teachers when they need instructor assistance. Students will also receive feedback on their work inside the learning management system. The Instructor Info area of their course may describe additional communication options.

Students will require all of the following:

  • A computer device with either Windows (7 or later), Linux, or Macintosh operating system. NOTE: Chromebook users will need to contact their instructor to request a virtual machine.
  • Ability to download and install Packet Tracer, a stand-alone software program that is required for all Cisco Network Academy courses
  • Ability to download and upload PDF and Packet Tracer (.pka) files
  • An up-to-date Chrome or Firefox web browser with Java (JRE) enabled to access the Packet Tracer testing environment
  • A PDF reader to complete assignments (Recommended: Adobe Reader)
    • All reading guides / labs are fillable PDF files
  • Reliable internet access
  • Access to YouTube as an additional learning resource

Please review the Michigan Virtual Technology Requirements: https://michiganvirtual.org/about/support/knowledge-base/technical-requirements/