Self-Paced, Flexible Online Course

Cybersecurity Fundamentals

Delivered in collaboration with Great Learning

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Cybersecurity Fundamentals

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Understand How Adversaries Think

Fast-track your programming journey with a case-based learning experience

Explain hacker ideologies, motivations, psychological drivers, and the evolution of tactics across generations
Apply ethical hacking and penetration testing methodologies, evaluate cryptographic systems, including PKI
Communicate cybersecurity findings through penetration test reports and executive summaries
Recognize real-world reconnaissance, exploitation, information gathering, and social engineering techniques

Earn a certificate of completion from Johns Hopkins University

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KEY COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Why Choose Cybersecurity Fundamentals Course?

Flexible format

Benefit from an asynchronous, self-paced learning journey, featuring engaging video walkthroughs and recorded sessions by Johns Hopkins University faculty
Case-based learning

Learn the motives, behaviors, and ethics behind responsible hacking through live real-world use cases, projects, and industry relevant techniques.
Earn Continuing Education Units

Earn two Continuing Education Units upon completion of this course, allowing you to demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and skill advancement.
Globally recognized credential

Upon completion, earn a Certificate of Completion from Johns Hopkins University, along with 2 Continuing Education Unit (CEU)

Skills you will learn

Hacker Motivation

Exploitation Recognition

Social Engineering

Penetration Testing

Cryptography and PKI

Information Gathering

Security Reporting

Risk Communication

Hacker Motivation

Exploitation Recognition

Social Engineering

Penetration Testing

Cryptography and PKI

Information Gathering

Security Reporting

Risk Communication

This Course Is Ideal For

Professionals seeking to build skills to identify vulnerabilities, assess risks, and communicate findings.

Network Administrators

Looking to build skills in real-world adversarial thinking, ethical responsibility, and industry-aligned cybersecurity practices.
IT Security Specialists

Including Infrastructure Professionals looking to enhance system defense skills.
Compliance and Risk Professionals

Compliance officers, auditors, and security consultants aiming to understand regulatory requirements and manage risk.
Aspiring Cybersecurity Practitioners

Individuals transitioning into cybersecurity roles who want hands-on experience and practical knowledge to enter the field.

Experience a unique learning journey

Our pedagogy is designed to ensure a holistic learning experience

Flexible learning journey

Learn at your own pace with a flexible, asynchronous format built for working professionals
Engaging material

Stay up-to-date with relevant content and video walkthroughs on today's cybersecurity landscape
Application-focused approach

Gain actionable insights through projects and real-world use cases
Globally recognized credentials

Earn a Johns Hopkins Certificate of Completion and 2 Continuing Education Units upon completion

Curriculum

The curriculum for this course is designed by the faculty of Johns Hopkins University and leading industry practitioners, focusing on cybersecurity basics, combining hacker psychology, penetration testing methodology, cryptographic foundations, and information-gathering techniques.

Module 1 | Ideology, Motives & Behaviors of Hackers

Concepts Covered: - Types and Generations of Hackers - Hacker Psychology and Motivation

Module 2 | PenTest Reports & Executive Summaries

Concepts Covered: - Penetration Testing Methodologies - Applying Ethical Hacking Frameworks - Structuring and Interpreting Executive-Level Security Reports

Module 3 | Cryptography & Public Key Infrastructure

Concepts Covered: - Secret-Key and Public-Key Encryption - How PKI Enables Authentication and Secure Communication - Identifying Cryptographic Weaknesses Exploited by Attackers

Module 4 | Information Gathering & Social Engineering

Concepts Covered: - Conducting Technical and Open-Source Information Gathering - Understanding Social Engineering Methods and Attack Patterns - Using Reconnaissance Tools to Identify Vulnerabilities

Work on Hands-On Assignments

Engage in comprehensive assignments using emerging tools and technologies across sectors

Real-World

Use Cases
Hands-On

Coding assignments
Industry-Ready

Tools and technologies

The Foundation

Hacker Mindset Analysis

Description

Study real-world attacker motivations and behavioral patterns.

Skills you will learn

Threat Analysis
Attacker Psychology
Adversarial Thinking

Professional Protocol

Penetration Test Reporting

Description

Work with pentest reports, security findings and executive summaries.

Skills you will learn

Security Reporting
Risk Communication
Executive Summaries

Technical Depth

Cryptography in Practice

Description

Analyze how encryption and PKI protect—or expose—systems.

Skills you will learn

Encryption Concepts
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
Cryptographic Risk Analysis

Tactical Edge

Reconnaissance & Social Engineering

Description

Examine how attackers use reconnaissance and social engineering techniques to exploit vulnerabilities.

Skills you will learn

Reconnaissance Techniques
Social Engineering
Vulnerability Analysis

Earn a Professional Certificate

Earn a certificate of completion from Johns Hopkins University to showcase to your professional network.

#1 Ranked Online Grad Program

Computer Information Technology by U.S. News & World Report

* Image for illustration only. Certificate subject to change.

Meet Your Faculty

Learn from world-renowned JHU faculty

Jason Crossland

Senior Cybersecurity Engineer, JHU Applied Physics Laboratory

23+ years in cybersecurity and systems engineering

Instructor at JHU Whiting School of Engineering for 11 years

Know More

Course Fees

The course fee is USD 500

Advance Your Career

Explain hacker ideologies, motivations, psychological drivers, and the evolution of tactics across generations
Apply ethical hacking and penetration testing methodologies, evaluate cryptographic systems, including PKI
Communicate cybersecurity findings through professional penetration test reports and executive summaries
Real-world reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, information gathering, and social engineering techniques

Take the next step

00 : 00 : 00

Apply to the program now or schedule a call with a program advisor

Unlock exclusive course sneak peek

Enrollment process

Get started instantly with our self-enrollment process and begin your learning journey today

1. Enter your details

Provide your information to begin the enrollment process
2. Make payment

Complete the payment to receive your enrollment confirmation via email

Prerequisites

Learners must achieve a score of 85 percent or higher to successfully complete the course and earn a certificate of completion from Johns Hopkins University

Limited seats available

Think Like an Attacker—Defend Like a Professional

Delivered in Collaboration with:

Johns Hopkins University is collaborating with online education provider Great Learning to offer the Learn Python with Generative AI course. Great Learning is a professional learning company with a global footprint in 14+ countries. Its mission is to make professionals around the globe proficient and future-ready. This course leverages JHU's leadership in innovation, science, engineering, and technical disciplines developed over years of research, teaching, and practice. Great Learning collaborates with institutions to manage enrollments (including all payment services and invoicing), technology, and participant support.