In today’s interconnected world, cybersecurity is no longer just an IT concern—it’s a fundamental aspect of personal and organizational safety. This foundational course is designed for absolute beginners and professionals from any field who want to understand the digital threats they face daily. You will learn to identify common cyber attacks, protect personal and organizational data, and build a solid base for a career in one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.

Course Format: Online, Instructor-Supported with Live Q&A Sessions
Total Duration: 40 Hours (4 Hours per Week for 10 Weeks)
Certification: Upon successful completion, you will receive the Cybersecurity Foundation Certificate from Gulf Skill Education System.

Who Is This Course For?
Career Starters & Students: Anyone looking to begin a career in IT or cybersecurity.

Professionals from Other Fields: Especially suitable for our students and professionals in Oil & Gas, Healthcare, and Industrial Safety who need to understand the digital risks to their physical operations.

Small Business Owners & Managers: Anyone responsible for protecting their company’s data and customer information.

General Public: Individuals concerned about their online privacy and security for banking, social media, and personal devices.

What You Will Learn (Course Objectives)
By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Identify the most common cyber threats, including malware, phishing, and social engineering attacks.

Explain how basic internet and network communication works, and where its vulnerabilities lie.

Implement strong personal security practices for passwords, emails, and mobile devices.

Understand key organizational security principles and how they relate to standards like ISO 27001.

Execute the correct first-response steps during a suspected cybersecurity incident.

Detailed Course Syllabus
Module 1: The Digital Threat Landscape (Week 1-2)
Topic 1.1: Introduction to Cybersecurity: Why It Matters to Everyone

Topic 1.2: Types of Cyber Threats: Viruses, Worms, Trojans, Ransomware, and Spyware

Topic 1.3: Social Engineering: How Hackers Manipulate People (Phishing, Vishing, Pretexting)

Topic 1.4: Real-World Case Studies: Analyzing Recent Cyber Attacks in the News

Module 2: Foundations of Network & Internet Security (Week 3-4)
Topic 2.1: How the Internet Works: A Simple Guide to IP Addresses, Packets, and DNS

Topic 2.2: Your Home Network: Understanding Routers, Wi-Fi, and Basic Configuration

Topic 2.3: Introduction to Firewalls: Your First Line of Digital Defense

Topic 2.4: Secure Connections: What is a VPN and Why Should You Use One?

Module 3: Personal & Organizational Defense (Week 5-7)
Topic 3.1: The Art of the Strong Password: Managers, Generators, and Best Practices

Topic 3.2: Securing Your Digital Life: Email Safety, Social Media Privacy, and Mobile Device Security

Topic 3.3: Principles of Data Protection: Encryption, Backups, and Secure File Sharing

Topic 3.4: Bridging Safety Standards: Introduction to ISO 27001 for Information Security Management

Module 4: Incident Response & The Future (Week 8-10)
Topic 4.1: Cybersecurity Incident Response: The “STOP” Protocol (Spot, Tell, Organize, Preserve)

Topic 4.2: Legal and Ethical Basics in Cybersecurity

Topic 4.3: Emerging Trends: Internet of Things (IoT) Security and Cloud Security Basics

Topic 4.4: Career Pathways: Your Roadmap from Foundation to Professional Certifications (CompTIA Security+, etc.)

Final Assessment: A practical quiz and a final project (e.g., creating a personal/family cybersecurity plan).

How You Will Learn
Video Lectures: Engaging, pre-recorded sessions you can watch anytime.

Reading Materials: Curated articles, guides, and book chapters.

Interactive Quizzes: At the end of each module to test your understanding.

Hands-On Practical Exercises:

Setting up and configuring a personal firewall.

Using a password manager to create and store strong credentials.

Conducting a basic security check on your own Wi-Fi network.

Weekly Live Q&A Sessions: Direct interaction with the instructor to ask questions and discuss topics.