UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN

FUNDAMENTALS OF CYBERSECURITY

Develop an understanding of information security and prevent cyberattacks in your organisation

Duration

8 weeks, excluding
orientation

Effort

7–10 hours per week,
entirely online

Learning Format

Weekly modules,
flexible learning

ON COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE, YOU’LL WALK AWAY WITH:

1

The tools to develop a suitable cybersecurity incident response plan for an organisation.

2

Knowledge of the fundamental principles of cybersecurity management, and the ability to analyse corporate policies in terms of current legislation.

3

The skills to assess cybersecurity risks, and the insight to evaluate and recommend information security software and hardware products.

4

A digital certificate from Africa’s leading university,1 recognising your new competencies in cybersecurity management.

1QS Top Universities (Apr, 2021).

COURSE CURRICULUM

Meet and engage with your learning and peer networks as you navigate the Online Campus.

Module 1 Basic Principles of Cybersecurity Management
Discover the fundamental concepts, processes, and roles involved in maintaining information security.

Module 2 Risk Assessment
Discover the major cybersecurity vectors and actors, and how cybersecurity risks can be thoroughly assessed and managed.

Module 3 Corporate Governance, Policies, and the Regulatory Environment
Learn about the cybersecurity regulative and legislative environment in South Africa, and how corporate governance and policy support cybersecurity practices.

Module 4 Cybersecurity Culture
Why is a committed cybersecurity culture necessary, and what are the risks it should mitigate?

Module 5 Cybersecurity Architecture
Engage with the goals and features of secure network design and the methods to achieve this.

Module 6 Cybersecurity Software and Hardware
Discover the types of software and hardware that can be used to protect information assets.

Module 7 The CIS 20 Critical Security Controls (CSCs)
Engage with the 20 critical security controls as compiled by the Center for Internet Security.

Module 8 Incident Management
Discover the elements of cybersecurity incident response and management.

Please note that module titles and their contents are subject to change during course development.

COURSE CONVENOR

Zainab Ruhwanya

Lecturer, University of Cape Town, Faculty of Commerce, Department of Information Systems

Ruhwanya teaches information security, programming, and software development courses at UCT at both an undergraduate and postgraduate level. She is a Fulbright alumna and studied computer science, specialising in cybersecurity, at Kansas State University in the US. Ruhwanya’s research interests include information security culture, cybersecurity, privacy, usable security, and e-learning. She also practises food photography as a way to celebrate and explore different cultures.

“I really enjoyed how I could study at my own pace but still have a deadline that needed to be met. The content of the course itself was awesome and really expanded my knowledge base. After completing this course I can honestly say that I knew nothing before. I love the fact that assignments had to be completed which in my opinion helps you understand the work that you were studying, and the feedback received with regards to the assignments really helped broaden my understanding as well. Would definitely recommend it.”

Gerhardt Greyling
IT Technician

AN ONLINE EDUCATION THAT SETS YOU APART

This UCT course is presented in collaboration with GetSmarter, part of edX. GetSmarter collaborates with the world's leading universities to select, design, and deliver premium online short courses through a people-mediated model with a data-driven focus on learning gain.

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Gain verifiable and relevant competencies and earn invaluable recognition from an international selection of universities and institutions, entirely online and in your own time.

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Enjoy a personalised, people-mediated online learning experience created to make you feel supported at every step.

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Experience a flexible but structured approach to online education as you plan your learning around your life to meet weekly milestones.

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