IT Security Courses

Completing IT security courses has many advantages whether the purpose of the IT security training is to supplement a technical education such as those who hold a Bachelor’s degree in IT security, or to learn a new skill for entering the IT security career field with other related degrees. IT security courses are essential in the technological world in which we operate and which is constantly evolving and changing. IT security training courses teach students how to prevent, detect, and resolve incidents related to unauthorized access perpetrated by hackers and other threat actors. As organizations move their systems and data to the cloud, it has become obvious that identity and access management (IAM) is the most critical domain of cyber security for preventing and detecting unauthorized access and data breach. As you read the rest of this article, it is important to understand why an IAM certification is important to succeed in the cyber security career field.

Courses in IT security can be found in the vast majority of IT security, information security and information technology degree programs. Some IT security courses offer certifications and others lead to an associate, bachelor and master degrees. Due to the importance of IT security for many private and public organizations, including national security agencies, there are a variety of IT security training programs in the market. Each program has a different focus and may offer a wide range of topics.

Courses in IT security typically cover subjects such as:

Information Management
Computer Systems
Risk Management
IT Security Fundamentals
Technical Report Writing
Investigation Techniques
Cyber Law and Ethics

Examples of System Security Classes

Fundamentals of IT Security

Introduces students to IT security basics who learn about the basic security threat prevention and detection techniques as well as the necessary actions to be taken when a system is compromised. In some cases, students also learn how to apply these techniques in real-world situations. These real-world practices typically involve implementing several different types of security systems, programs, and techniques as well as developing security processes such as incident response. The IT security basics are often offered by the undergraduate IT security degrees or other related fields and may also be covered by various IT security and data protection certification programs such as the Certified in Data Protection (CDP) program.

Computer Security Management

Students taking this course will learn how to develop and manage a computer security program. They will learn how to research policies and participate in case studies to discover and present the best computer security methods. In addition to learning how to devise and manage security programs, students also learn about computer related functions for supporting the program. Both undergraduate and graduate students will greatly benefit from this intermediate-level course.

Information Assurance Management

Students are taught about risk management strategies and the risk assessment process. This course covers the computer security risks and ways to mitigate them. This course covers the main objectives of the information security; Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability.

Forensics of IT Security

Teaches students how to trace computer security violations. Includes discussions of methods for identifying network signatures and tracing them to their sources. This part-lecture, part-hands-on course instruct students on how to assess multiple tracking methods and which techniques have the best practical uses.

Hacking Techniques

This is an advanced course in IT security for those seeking to advance their career in cybersecurity. Students play the hacker role, working to spot flaws in various computer security configurations and exploit them. These hacking exercises train students to pick up on security vulnerabilities and consider ways to optimize security within systems. This type of course covers the manners in which hackers enter and exploit computer systems, followed up with step-by-step procedures for effectively handling each kind of threat. Students also learn how to work with the evidence left behind by hackers as a means to ultimately report to authorities to catch and prosecute them for their actions.

Investigation and Response in System Forensics

This is another advanced course, instructing students on how to protect data from information security hackers. This includes comprehensive research into computer operating systems and replicating attacks in order to learn about tracing and tracking. Past hacking case investigations which have led to measures for successful tracking and detection of intruders are also covered in these courses.

Benefits of Cyber Security Courses

There are many benefits to having employees or students take courses in IT security. Below are some o the benefits:

Security Awareness Reduces Risks

Training courses on IT security should form an essential part of an organization’s culture. With security awareness firmly entrenched into a company’s culture, there will be much less risk of a security issue or breach. Awareness training will help students better understand their IT security policies. Adequately trained employees will also know effective means to safeguard system, data and accounts from IT security threats.

Less Chances of Security Breaches

Those with the proper cyber security training and knowledge of protocols will better comply with data and information security procedures. This significantly lessens the chances of computer networks being breached and corrupted by malicious attackers. These security courses will help organizations protect their sensitive data regardless of the industry in which they operate. This also reduces the risks of organizations facing lawsuits, fines and security audits that typically follow breaches of IT systems.

Saving Money

Training individuals in IT security is much less costly than fixing affected computer systems and an organization’s reputation after security breaches take place.

Increased Staff Confidence

Regular IT awareness training can help inform staff on how they can use and how they must not use systems and data that they handle in the workplace.

Increased Customer Confidence

Customers are less worried about providing their personal information to companies that have fewer reported cases of data breaches, lawsuits, and other negative security related news.

Who Gains the Most from Security Courses?

Here are some of the groups of people who most benefit from courses in IT security:

Computer science and cybersecurity degree students
IT employees entering the IT security field
End users and customers
Suppliers or vendors with system access
Executives and upper-level managers
Junior and senior technical staff members

In addition to learning best computer security practices when students take IT security courses, they also learn about relevant regulatory and compliance requirements.

IT Security Courses