cybersecurity threats and defences
This page is mainly about 3.6_cybersecurity_threats_and_defences
Module introduction
Have you ever wondered how your online accounts are kept safe, or how websites protect themselves from hackers? This module is your first step into the exciting world of cybersecurity. You'll become a digital detective, learning to spot the tricks that cybercriminals use and discovering the powerful tools and techniques that professionals use to defend our digital world. This journey will take you from the basics of identifying online dangers to being able to confidently explain how a multi-layered security system works. By the end of this module, you will have the power to protect your own digital life and understand the invisible battles being fought online every day.
Why does this module matter?
In a world where we live so much of our lives online, understanding how to stay safe is not just a technical skill—it's a life skill. The knowledge you gain here will empower you to protect your personal information, avoid scams, and be a safer, more responsible digital citizen. It's the foundation for understanding the technology that protects everything from your gaming account to global banking systems.
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For you
This module will help you develop several key computing personas:
The Digital Protector: This is the core persona for this module. You will learn to build a multi-layered understanding of security, from personal online safety to the technical defences like firewalls and encryption that protect networks.
The Responsible Innovator: Cybersecurity isn't just about technology; it's about people. This persona encourages you to think about the ethical and legal side of digital security, such as understanding the Computer Misuse Act and the balance between security and privacy.
The Problem Solver: A cybersecurity expert is an investigator at heart. This persona focuses on the skills you'll use to analyse threats, logically diagnose problems, and apply a methodical process to find and fix vulnerabilities, just like a digital detective.
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For your future
The skills you learn in this module are the starting point for many exciting and in-demand careers. One of the most direct pathways is to become a Cybersecurity Analyst.
Career focus: Cybersecurity Analysts are the front-line defenders of an organisation's digital world. They protect computer systems from cyber threats by monitoring for weaknesses, investigating security incidents, and putting defensive measures in place.
Key Skills: This module builds the foundational knowledge for this career. You will learn about the very threats an analyst deals with daily, including malware and social engineering (phishing). You will also be introduced to the core defensive technologies they use, such as firewalls and encryption.
Interesting facts: The demand for cybersecurity professionals is massive and growing much faster than the average for all other jobs. There is currently a global shortage of millions of cybersecurity workers, making it a very secure and valuable career path. It's also a field where you can become an 'ethical hacker', getting paid to legally break into systems to find and fix security holes before criminals can exploit them.
Our Learning Journey
Our journey will begin by investigating the enemy. We'll explore the different types of malicious software (malware) and uncover the psychological tricks used in social engineering and phishing attacks. Once we understand the threats, we'll build our defences. We will learn how digital fortresses are constructed using firewalls, how secret codes (encryption) protect our messages, and the science behind creating strong, secure passwords. Finally, we'll bring it all together by looking at how these different layers of security work together to protect a real-world system you use every day: the school network.
Last modified: July 21st, 2025
