Advanced Cybersecurity Semester 1

Enrollment Message

Available for August 2026 registration. Students need access to a webcam or video recording device.

Course Description

This course introduces you to the essential concepts, tools, and practices used to protect data, devices, and networks in today’s digital world. You will learn how cyberattacks happen, how to recognize common threats and vulnerabilities, and how security professionals defend systems using techniques like encryption, authentication, endpoint protection, and secure network design. Through hands-on assignments and real-life scenarios, you will practice analyzing risks, investigating incidents, and applying practical solutions to strengthen cybersecurity. By the end of the course, you will understand how cybersecurity works in real organizations and feel confident using industry-standard strategies to keep information safe.

• Indiana Core40 Diploma Applicable through class of 2028
• Counts as a directed elective or elective all diplomas
• Indiana NEW Diploma Applicable for students entering school in 2025-26 (Class of 2029) 
• Fulfills an Elective Credit

Course Goals

Upon completion of the course, students will…

• identify common cybersecurity threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities across multiple platforms.
• explain key cybersecurity principles and their importance for protecting data and systems.
• describe how encryption, hashing, and authentication methods secure information.
• compare different types of authentication methods, including MFA and 2FA.
• analyze network vulnerabilities in TCP/IP protocols and SOHO environments.
• evaluate the security benefits of technologies such as VPNs, firewalls, ACLs, and DMZs.
• summarize the role of network addresses, NAT, and segmentation in securing networks.
• distinguish between the security features of Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.
• apply endpoint security tools and policies to protect workstations and mobile devices.
• assess the risks associated with BYOD environments and propose security guidelines.
• interpret on-path attacks, rogue DHCP activity, and packet analysis findings.
• outline effective backup strategies and disaster recovery practices.
• construct a secure network configuration using cybersecurity best practices.
• investigate cybersecurity incidents by reviewing logs, behaviors, and system responses.
• develop a comprehensive mitigation and prevention plan for real-world cyber incidents.

Indiana Academic Standards

• Next Level Programs of Study Competencies

Units of Instruction

• Unit 1 Essential Security Principles
• Unit 2 Access Management Principles
• Unit 3 Basic Network Security Concepts
• Unit 4 Endpoint Security Concepts Part I

Grading/Evaluation

Indiana Online does not assign letter grades, grant credit for courses, nor issue transcripts or diplomas. A final score reported as a percentage of total points earned will be sent to students upon completion of a course. Your school of record can also access this score within the Student Information System, Genius. The final score will be shown as a percentage in Canvas and Genius. The student’s school of record will determine the letter grade based on their specific grading scale.

Students must complete at least 70% of the course and take all parts of the final exam(s) to have a score reported to their school of record. Failure to meet these requirements will result in a score of 0 reported to the school of record.

Assessments

Online assessments consist of formative and summative assessments represented by computer-graded multiple choice, teacher-graded writing assignments including hands-on projects, model building and other forms of authentic assessments. The course includes the minimum number of assessments

• 7 Discussion
• 9 Assignments
• 8 Quizzes

The assessments for this asynchronous course are weighted as follows

Teacher Contact Response Time

Students can use email or the private message system within Genius or Canvas to access highly qualified teachers when they need teacher assistance. Students will also receive feedback on their work inside Canvas. The Teacher Information page of their course may describe additional communication options.

The teacher will respond to student inquiries (email, text, call) within one business day. Assignments will be graded and posted within two business days.

Expectations for Academic Conduct 

Student Handbook 

It is your responsibility to read the student handbook to understand all aspects of taking an online course including expectations for academic conduct. Contact your teacher if you have any questions. 

Assistance for Students with Accommodations

Indiana Online supports an inclusive learning environment for all students. If there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that hinder your full participation, such as inaccessible web content, or the use of non-captioned videos and podcasts, reasonable accommodations can be arranged.

Technology

Technology Requirements 

Students are required to have a computer device with headphones, a microphone, webcam, up-to-date Chrome Web Browser, and access to YouTube. Please review Indiana Online’s Technology Requirements.

Technical Skills Needed 

Basic technology skills necessary to locate and share information and files as well as interact with others in a Learning Management System (LMS), include the ability to

• download, edit, save, convert, and upload files
• download and install software
• use a messaging service similar to email
• communicate with others in online discussion or message boards, following basic rules of netiquette
• open attachments shared in messages
• create, save, and submit files in commonly used word processing program formats and as a PDF
• save a file as a .pdf
• copy and paste and format text using your mouse, keyboard, or an html editor’s toolbar menu
• insert images or links into a file
• search for information within a document using Ctrl+F or Command+F keyboard shortcuts
• work in multiple browser windows and tabs simultaneously
• activate a microphone or webcam on your device, and record and upload or link audio and/or video files
• use presentation and graphics programs
• follow an online pacing guide or calendar of due dates
• use spell-check, citation editors, and tools commonly provided in word processing tool menus
• create and maintain usernames and passwords

Technical Questions?  Please contact the Indiana Online Helpdesk.