Specialty Area

Cybersecurity

Example Course Pathway

In this section, we present examples of how to package this content into meaningful course sequences across particular specialty areas. The boxes in each diagram represent discrete courses.

Course Definitions

This section contains example courses and descriptions, with the assumption that individual schools and districts may modify the offerings to meet local contexts and needs.

Information and Network Security

Content Progression

Table 4.2.1 shows the content progression for acquiring more knowledge specifically related to cybersecurity. This content might lead to a major in cybersecurity or to earning industry certifications, followed by a career as a network technician, security analyst, or network systems administrator.

Foundational CS Content

Types of hardware and software (including operating systems)
How hardware/ software work together
Security practices (e.g., safe passwords, two-factor authentication)
Importance of cybersecurity
How networks work
Optimizing networking and OS settings
Troubleshooting
Using documentation
Network vulnerabilities in networks
Ethical issues (e.g., digital divide)

Fundamentals

CIA triad, states of data, and types of controls
Basics of digital communication (OSI model, protocols, ports, etc.)
Network fundamentals (protocols, topologies, and addressings, network hardware and their roles (servers, switches, routers, endpoints, firewalls))
Command line in various operating systems
Network troubleshooting
Network management tools
Basic computing systems
Cybersecurity-related hardware/software roles and components
Basic understanding of file systems
Impact of cybersecurity on society/like and critical infrastructure
SOHO/home networks
Types of attacks, threats, vulnerabilities, and basic remediation strategies
Wifi versus Internet
Public networks
network addressing (IP addressing, MAC addressing)
Careers in cybersecurity
Scripting
Impact of AI on cybersecurity
Industry certification preparation