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Professional Skills: Digital Security

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Professional Skills: Digital Security

This course is part of Professional Skills: Digital Fluency Specialization

Instructor: Tyler Galarneau

Included with

Learn more

7 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

6 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

7 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

6 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Secure your digital environment and identify weak points.
Implement data backup strategies and use tools to prevent cyberattacks.
Maintain your systems and plan for increased cyber safety using the NIST framework.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Professional Skills: Digital Fluency Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 7 modules in this course

Safeguard your personal and professional digital footprint. This course equips you with essential cybersecurity strategies to protect information and minimize digital risk.

As more data is stored and shared online, digital safety and security have become crucial professional competencies. Led by Dr. Nicholas Proferes of ASU’s School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, this course covers foundational digital security principles, practical tools to protect sensitive information, and proactive strategies to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats. Through interactive exercises and real-world scenarios, you’ll build confidence in managing digital risks and protecting your data across personal and workplace environments.

Module details

This module introduces you to the fundamental concepts of securing your digital environment. You will explore common causes of digital vulnerabilities and discover resources available to enhance your security posture. Learn how to set up a secure workspace, practice implementing security solutions, and reflect on effective strategies to protect your digital assets. This module emphasizes proactive planning to prevent future security issues.

What's included

1 assignment7 plugins

1 assignmentTotal 12 minutes

Quiz: Securing your digital environment12 minutes

7 pluginsTotal 39 minutes

Securing your digital environment: Causes and resources7 minutes
Securing your digital environment: Setting up a secure workspace5 minutes
Practice the solution: Securing your digital environment10 minutes
Job aid: Protecting your digital security3 minutes
Reflect on the solution: Securing your digital environment10 minutes
Plan security responses now to prevent headaches later: Key takeaways3 minutes
Apply the solution: Digital security in practice1 minute

In this module, you will learn to identify and address potential weak points in your digital presence. We will delve into the causes of digital vulnerabilities and provide resources to help you strengthen your defenses. You will gain skills in spotting potential digital risks, practicing solutions to mitigate these risks, and understanding how to avoid common threats like phishing attacks. The module concludes with strategies for staying vigilant and managing permissions effectively.

What's included

1 assignment7 plugins

1 assignmentTotal 12 minutes

Quiz: Addressing your digital weak points12 minutes

7 pluginsTotal 55 minutes

Addressing your digital weak points: Causes and resources8 minutes
Addressing your digital weak points: Spotting a potential digital risk11 minutes
Practice the solution: Addressing your digital weak points10 minutes
Job aid: Don’t get caught by phishing attacks3 minutes
Reflect on the solution: Addressing your digital weak points10 minutes
Stay vigilant to avoid falling into digital traps: Key takeaways3 minutes
Apply the solution: Manage your permissions10 minutes

This module focuses on the critical practice of data backup. You will learn why data backup is essential, explore various resources, and develop a comprehensive data backup strategy. The module provides practical exercises to manage your data backup, offers a job aid for effective backup procedures, and encourages reflection on your backup solutions. By the end, you will understand the importance of initiating and automating backups to protect your valuable information.

What's included

1 assignment7 plugins

1 assignmentTotal 12 minutes

Quiz: Backing up your data12 minutes

7 pluginsTotal 47 minutes

Backing up your data: Causes and resources6 minutes
Backing up your data: Managing a data backup strategy5 minutes
Practice the solution: Backing up your data10 minutes
Job aid: Back up your data3 minutes
Reflect on the solution: Backing up your data10 minutes
Initiate and automate backups at your earliest opportunity: Key takeaways3 minutes
Apply the solution: Improving data backup practices10 minutes

Discover how to leverage various tools to prevent cyberattacks in this module. You will learn about the causes of cyberattacks and the resources available to combat them. The module guides you through the process of selecting appropriate cyber safety tools, provides opportunities to practice using these tools, and offers a job aid for preparing for worst-case scenarios. You will also reflect on solutions and learn to design resilient systems to protect against future threats.

What's included

1 assignment7 plugins

1 assignmentTotal 12 minutes

Quiz: Using tools to prevent cyberattacks12 minutes

7 pluginsTotal 23 minutes

Using tools to prevent cyberattacks: Causes and resources6 minutes
Using tools to prevent cyberattacks: Picking the cyber safety tools8 minutes
Practice the solution: Using tools to prevent cyberattacks1 minute
Job aid: Preparing for the worst3 minutes
Reflect on the solution: Using tools to prevent cyberattacks1 minute
Design resilient systems to prepare for worst-case scenarios: Key takeaways3 minutes
Apply the solution: Getting to know your enterprise1 minute

This module emphasizes the importance of ongoing system maintenance for digital safety. You will learn about the causes of system vulnerabilities and discover resources for effective upkeep. The module provides guidance on maintaining and updating your setup, offers practical exercises for system management, and includes a job aid for caring for your devices. You will reflect on solutions and understand how to budget time for upkeep to prevent issues from escalating.

What's included

1 assignment7 plugins

1 assignmentTotal 12 minutes

Quiz: Keeping up with your systems12 minutes

7 pluginsTotal 55 minutes

Keeping up with your systems: Causes and resources6 minutes
Keeping up with your systems: Maintaining and updating your setup13 minutes
Practice the solution: Keeping up with your systems10 minutes
Job aid: Caring for your devices3 minutes
Reflect on the solution: Keeping up with your systems10 minutes
Budget time for upkeep to prevent issues from snowballing: Key takeaways3 minutes
Apply the solution: Maintain your devices10 minutes

In this module, you will develop a strategic approach to increasing cyber safety. You will learn about the causes and resources related to cyber safety planning, with a specific focus on using the NIST framework for digital security. The module includes practical exercises for planning, a job aid detailing the basics of the NIST framework, and opportunities to reflect on your solutions. By the end, you will be able to communicate and collaborate on cyber safety initiatives and apply the NIST framework effectively.

What's included

1 assignment7 plugins

1 assignmentTotal 12 minutes

Quiz: Planning to increase cyber safety12 minutes

7 pluginsTotal 51 minutes

Planning to increase cyber safety: Causes and resources9 minutes
Planning to increase cyber safety: Using NIST for digital security6 minutes
Practice the solution: Planning to increase cyber safety10 minutes
Job aid: The basics of the NIST framework3 minutes
Reflect on the solution: Planning to increase cyber safety10 minutes
Communicate and collaborate on cyber safety: Key takeaways3 minutes
Apply the solution: Applying the NIST framework10 minutes

This module marks the conclusion of the course, providing an opportunity to reflect on your learning journey and offer valuable feedback. You will find resources for completing an end-of-course survey, which is crucial for improving future learning experiences.