This course is FREE with an Online Subscription

Course Description

Cybersecurity is a field that involves protecting computer systems and networks from digital threats, such as hacking, malware and cyber-attacks.

Over time our reliance on technology growing in parallel with the increasing cyber threats (2022 was a record year in Australia). This means that cybersecurity is both highly a sought-after technical skill as well as a social phenomenon we will experience at work, in the news and political life.


So why teach Cybersecurity?

This is an excellent way to introduce your students to data encoding, data transmission and networking.

All of these are requirements of the 7-10 Australian Curriculum for Digital Technologies which states that students should:

  • Investigate the role of hardware and software in managing, controlling and securing the movement of and access to data in networked digital systems

  • Investigate how digital systems represent text, image and audio data in binary

  • Investigate how data is transmitted and secured in wired, wireless and mobile networks, and how the specifications affect performance


The most popular format for learning these skills is called Capture the Flag or CTF. This is highly engaging for Students. CTFs involve teams of students attempting to find and "capture" hidden flags within a simulated environment. To capture the flag student will need to master a particular skill, eg hexadecimal encoding.

This course will use content from a popular international cyber website called picoCTF, which is a free, online cybersecurity competition designed for middle and high school students.

picoCTF is created and maintained by Carnegie Mellon University and provides challenges in a variety of categories, including cryptography, web security and networking, allowing students to test and improve their skills in a fun and engaging way.

Teaching Standards

2.2.2 Proficient Level - Know the content and how to teach it - Content selection and organisation:  Organise content into coherent, well-sequenced learning and teaching programs

6.2.2 Proficient Level - Engage in Professional Learning - Engage in professional learning and improve practice:  Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice targeted to professional needs and school and/or system priorities

6.4.2 Proficient Level - Engage in Professional Learning - Apply professional learning and improve student learning:  Undertake professional learning programs designed to address identified student learning needs



$329 + GST - Individual Enrolment


FREE with  Online Subscription

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction to Cybersecurity

    • Introduction to the Course

    • Cyber Security in Everyday Life

    • The Cybersecurity Skillset

    • Cybersecurity in the Curriculum

    • How to Learn Cybersecurity
  • 2

    Linux Fundamentals

    • Introduction to Linux

    • Interactive Introduction to the Linux Cheatsheet (optional)

    • picoCTF Challenges in Linux Basics (HANDS ON ACTIVITY)

    • Demonstration of TryHackme Linux Fundamentals
  • 3

    Networking

    • Introduction to Networking

    • picoCTF Challenges for Networking (HANDS ON ACTIVITY)

    • Overview of Grok Academy Unit on Network Security (on micro:bit)
  • 4

    Python Scripting

    • Introduction to Python Scripting

    • picoCTF Challenges in Python Scripting (HANDS ON ACTIVITY)
  • 5

    Data Encoding

    • Introduction to Data Encoding

    • Python Coding Demonstration of Data Encoding

    • picoCTF Challenges in Data Encoding (HANDS ON ACTIVITY)
  • 6

    Cryptography

    • Cryptography Introduction

    • Caesar Cipher Python Demonstration

    • Vigenere Cipher Python Demonstration

    • Substitution Cipher Python Demonstation

    • XOR Cipher Python Demonstration

    • Cryptography picoCTF Challenges (HANDS ON ACTIVITY)

    • Grok Cryptography Course
  • 7

    Where to from Here

    • Where to from Here
  • 8

    Course Feedback

    • Please take few minutes to give us your feedback

Presenter

Sanjin Dedic

Sanjin Dedic

Sanjin Dedic is a robotics engineer and an experienced educator in the field of Digital Technologies. Throughout his teaching career Sanjin has been at the forefront of the latest educational technologies, in 2013 he brought Arduino, 3D printing and the make movement ethos into the classroom, he since authored Python curriculum in use by dozens of Victorian schools and co-authored a book on the BBC micro:bit, both aimed at students in Years 7- 10. He currently teaches at the King David School in Melbourne and works with Digital Learning and Teaching Victoria, Teacher Training Australia and The Digital Technologies Hub to share the latest in educational technology and pedagogical approaches with fellow teachers.

Other Courses by Sanjin Dedic

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