Cybersecurity
The Cybersecurity Program, developed in partnership with the National Cybersecurity Authority, aims to cultivate the talents of students who are interested in cybersecurity. This program is designed to ignite a strong passion for the field, deepen their understanding, and strengthen their foundational knowledge, ultimately preparing them not only for academic success, but also to make a significant impact in their professional careers.
Who can attend?
The Cybersecurity Program is an ideal fit for students who are deeply invested in the field of cybersecurity and possess a keen interest in understanding and addressing the complexities of digital security.
Attending the course
The course is meant for Saudi Arabia nationals who are currently enrolled in cybersecurity or related disciplines at local universities. The course participants are chosen by the National Cybersecurity Authority.
* Compulsory step!
Prerequisite online courses
To be eligible for the Cybersecurity Program, participants are required to successfully complete specific prerequisite courses available on Coursera. These foundational courses are essential for building the necessary skills and knowledge in cybersecurity.
The prerequisite courses will cover key aspects of cybersecurity, ensuring that all participants are adequately prepared for the advanced content of the program. Details regarding these courses, including their titles and structure, will be provided to accepted students via email.
The completion of these online courses is a critical step in the application process. Candidates must finish them by specified deadlines, which will be communicated along with the course details.
Topics covered
by the program
- Understanding the principles and practices that keep networked systems secure from threats and vulnerabilities.
- Learning the techniques to write software code that is resistant to attacks and security breaches.
- Studying different types of malware, their effects, and strategies for prevention and mitigation.
- Exploring the security challenges and solutions related to cloud services and infrastructure.
- Training in identifying, managing, and recovering from security incidents and breaches.
- Understanding the design principles and structures that underpin secure systems and networks.
Skills you’ll gain
- Security Policy Development
- Penetration Testing
- Forensic Analysis
- Encryption Techniques
- Security Awareness Training
- Statistical Analysis
- Security Auditing
- Cyber Threat Intelligence
- Risk Management
- Regulatory Compliance
- Ethical and Legal Considerations
Course stages
Stage 1: Prerequisite Massive Open Online Courses
Duration: 2 to 4 weeks Completion Date: Before November 1, 2023 Method: Self-paced, Online
Selected students start their journey by completing online courses that provide a foundational understanding of cybersecurity principles and practices.
Note that enrollment in the prerequisite Coursera courses does not automatically guarantee participation in the later stages of the program. Progress through the program depends on high performance in assessments. They are strategically integrated into the program and occur between its key stages. Only top-performing students will be invited to advance to the next stage.
Stage 2: Introduction to Cybersecurity
Duration: 5 days Start Date: January 9, 2024 Method: Instructor-led, In-person
The 500 most outstanding students from the previous stage will participate in detailed, in-person lectures. These sessions will take place in up to four key locations across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, offering an in-depth introduction to various aspects of cybersecurity.
Stage 3: Advanced Cybersecurity
Duration: 5 days Start Date: February 25, 2024 Method: Instructor-led, In-person
From the second stage, the top 100 students will move on to this advanced stage, delving deeper into the complexities and advanced topics in cybersecurity.
Stage 4: Cybersecurity Summer School
Duration: 8 weeks Start Date: To be decided! Method: Instructor-led, In-person
The top 50 students from third stage will be awarded scholarships for an intensive, up to two-month summer program in 2024. Among them, 40 students will continue their advanced studies locally, while 10 exceptional students will have the opportunity to participate in an international summer program specializing in cybersecurity.
Prerequisite course agenda
This section provides a detailed agenda, outlining the specific segments of the Coursera specialization to complete and their recommended timelines. The aim is to ensure participants finish these courses in time for the qualification exams. For the first cohort, the target completion date is before November 1, 2023. For the second cohort, the target completion date is before December 12, 2023.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the course covers foundational concepts that are directly applicable to real-world scenarios.
The course is primarily aimed at university students, providing them with tailored content that bridges academic learning and practical application.
The course structure varies across stages. The initial MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) stage is self-paced, allowing flexibility. Stages two to four are instructor-paced and conducted in person, requiring a more structured time commitment.
Yes, participants receive certificates of completion at each stage of the course. This certifies their proficiency in bioinformatics.
The enrollment fee gives you the opportunity to qualify for KAUST Academy’s Introduction to Bioinformatics course. Additionally, for an exclusive discounted fee of 400 SAR, students can gain access to over 200 online courses offered through Coursera.
Fees can be conveniently paid through Shopify, ensuring secure processing of both credit and debit card transactions. For debit card users, please ensure that online transactions are enabled on your card before proceeding.
No, completion of 200 courses is not required. Candidates need to complete only one specific specialization that consists of four separate online courses.
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