Welcome to The Coding College! Whether you’re aiming to break into the cyber security field or deepen your existing knowledge, this Cyber Security Study Plan is designed to guide you through the essentials. The plan is structured to be flexible and scalable, allowing you to progress at your own pace while ensuring you cover all the key concepts.
Study Plan Overview
This study plan is divided into 12 weeks of structured learning, with weekly topics and goals. Each week will focus on different aspects of cyber security, building your skills progressively. The plan includes hands-on practice, resources, and assessments to ensure you gain practical experience and theoretical knowledge.
Week 1: Introduction to Cyber Security
Goals
- Understand the basics of cyber security and its importance.
- Learn about different types of cyber threats and attacks.
- Familiarize yourself with the CIA Triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability).
Topics
- Definition and history of cyber security.
- Types of cyber attacks (Malware, Phishing, Ransomware, etc.).
- Key concepts: Threats, vulnerabilities, exploits.
Resources
- Articles: “What is Cyber Security?”
- Video Tutorials: Basics of Cyber Security on platforms like YouTube or Coursera.
- Practice: Research common cyber attacks in recent news.
Week 2: Network Security Basics
Goals
- Understand networking fundamentals, such as IP addresses, subnets, and protocols.
- Learn about network security measures.
Topics
- OSI Model and TCP/IP Protocol Suite.
- Introduction to firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS).
- Setting up a simple home network and implementing security measures.
Resources
- Book: “Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach” by Kurose and Ross.
- Video Tutorials: Network Security Basics on YouTube.
- Practice: Set up a basic firewall on your home router.
Week 3: Cryptography Fundamentals
Goals
- Understand the basics of cryptography and encryption methods.
- Learn about different encryption algorithms (AES, RSA, etc.).
Topics
- Symmetric vs. Asymmetric encryption.
- Hashing and digital signatures.
- Introduction to Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).
Resources
- Article: “Understanding Cryptography: A Textbook for Students and Practitioners” by Christof Paar.
- Online Tool: Try online encryption tools to understand encryption methods.
- Practice: Encrypt/decrypt a text file using AES encryption.
Week 4: Threats and Vulnerabilities
Goals
- Learn how threats exploit system vulnerabilities.
- Understand common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs).
Topics
- Common vulnerabilities: SQL injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), buffer overflow.
- Vulnerability scanning tools (Nessus, OpenVAS).
- Risk assessment and vulnerability management.
Resources
- Blog Post: “Top 10 Common Cyber Security Vulnerabilities.”
- Tool: Download and run a vulnerability scanner like OpenVAS.
- Practice: Use a test environment to identify vulnerabilities using a scanner.
Week 5: Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing
Goals
- Understand the principles of ethical hacking and penetration testing.
- Learn how to conduct a penetration test (reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation).
Topics
- The ethical hacking process: Reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, post-exploitation.
- Tools for penetration testing (Kali Linux, Metasploit, Burp Suite).
- Legal and ethical considerations in penetration testing.
Resources
- Book: “The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook” by Dafydd Stuttard and Marcus Pinto.
- Video Tutorial: “Introduction to Ethical Hacking” on Udemy.
- Practice: Try a basic penetration test on a vulnerable machine (e.g., using Kali Linux).
Week 6: Web Application Security
Goals
- Learn common web application security vulnerabilities.
- Understand how to secure web applications.
Topics
- Common vulnerabilities: SQL injection, XSS, CSRF, remote code execution.
- Secure coding practices to prevent vulnerabilities.
- Web application firewalls (WAFs) and their role.
Resources
- OWASP Top Ten Security Risks.
- Book: “The Hacker Playbook” by Peter Kim.
- Practice: Test web applications for vulnerabilities using OWASP ZAP or Burp Suite.
Week 7: Advanced Network Security
Goals
- Dive deeper into advanced network security concepts.
- Learn about advanced intrusion detection and prevention techniques.
Topics
- Advanced firewalls (Next-generation firewalls).
- Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS).
- Network segmentation and VPNs for secure remote access.
Resources
- Book: “Network Security Essentials” by William Stallings.
- Video Tutorial: “Advanced Network Security” on YouTube.
- Practice: Implement a network IDS (e.g., Snort).
Week 8: Security Operations and Incident Response
Goals
- Understand security operations centers (SOCs) and incident response.
- Learn how to respond to cyber incidents.
Topics
- Security operations center (SOC) functions and tools.
- Incident response process: Identification, containment, eradication, recovery.
- Developing an incident response plan (IRP).
Resources
- Article: “Building a Security Operations Center (SOC)”
- Tool: Try a SIEM tool like Splunk for monitoring logs.
- Practice: Simulate a basic incident response scenario in your environment.
Week 9: Cyber Security for Cloud Computing
Goals
- Learn the basics of securing cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP).
- Understand the shared responsibility model in cloud security.
Topics
- Cloud security risks and challenges.
- Securing virtual machines, containers, and cloud storage.
- Identity and access management (IAM) in the cloud.
Resources
- Book: “Cloud Security and Privacy” by Tim Mather.
- Video Tutorial: “Securing Cloud Environments” on YouTube.
- Practice: Set up secure cloud storage with proper IAM policies.
Week 10: Risk Management and Compliance
Goals
- Understand risk management principles and compliance standards.
- Learn about GDPR, HIPAA, and other industry regulations.
Topics
- Risk assessment and treatment methodologies (NIST, ISO 27001).
- Compliance frameworks: GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS.
- Implementing security controls for compliance.
Resources
- Article: “Cyber Security Risk Management”
- Book: “Information Security Risk Analysis” by Thomas Peltier.
- Practice: Review and implement compliance controls for a mock organization.
Week 11: Cyber Security Careers & Certifications
Goals
- Understand the different career paths in cyber security.
- Learn about certifications that boost your career in cyber security.
Topics
- Career options: Security analyst, penetration tester, SOC analyst, CISO.
- Popular certifications: CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEH, OSCP.
- Building a portfolio and preparing for interviews.
Resources
- Website: Cybrary for online learning and certification resources.
- Blog: “Best Cyber Security Certifications.”
- Practice: Take a practice test for CompTIA Security+.
Week 12: Final Project & Review
Goals
- Apply what you’ve learned through a comprehensive hands-on project.
- Review all topics and fill any gaps in knowledge.
Project
- Conduct a penetration test on a vulnerable machine (e.g., using TryHackMe or Hack The Box).
- Prepare a report on findings, mitigation strategies, and security best practices.
Resources
- Tools: Kali Linux, Burp Suite, Metasploit, TryHackMe, Hack The Box.
- Practice: Complete Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges.
Conclusion
This Cyber Security Study Plan will provide a structured learning path, allowing you to gain the knowledge and hands-on experience necessary to succeed in the cyber security field.
For additional resources, tutorials, and practice exercises, visit The Coding College. Let us help you secure your digital future!