Preparation aligned to the AP Cybersecurity framework. Covers network security, cryptography, threat analysis, incident response, and ethical hacking concepts.
Level: Advanced
Grade band: 9–12
Time: about 35 hours
Outcomes
- Analyse network security architectures and common attack vectors
- Apply cryptographic concepts to protect data in transit and at rest
- Conduct threat analysis and develop incident response plans
- Explain ethical hacking methodology and responsible disclosure
- Evaluate legal and ethical dimensions of cybersecurity practice
Unit 1 — Cybersecurity Foundations
CIA Triad & Security Principles
- Confidentiality, integrity, and availability — 20 min (coming soon)
- Authentication and authorization models — 20 min (coming soon)
- Security policies and frameworks — 20 min (coming soon)
Unit 2 — Network Security
Network Protocols & Attacks
- TCP/IP deep dive and packet analysis — 25 min (coming soon)
- Common network attacks: MITM, DoS, spoofing — 25 min (coming soon)
- Firewalls, IDS, and IPS — 20 min (coming soon)
- VPNs and secure tunneling — 20 min (coming soon)
Unit 3 — Cryptography
Encryption & Hashing
- Symmetric vs asymmetric encryption — 25 min (coming soon)
- Public key infrastructure and certificates — 25 min (coming soon)
- Hashing algorithms and digital signatures — 20 min (coming soon)
- TLS/SSL and HTTPS in practice — 20 min (coming soon)
Unit 4 — Threats & Vulnerabilities
Malware & Social Engineering
- Malware types: viruses, ransomware, rootkits — 20 min (coming soon)
- Social engineering and phishing campaigns — 20 min (coming soon)
- Vulnerability scanning and CVE analysis — 25 min (coming soon)
- Web application vulnerabilities: SQLi, XSS, CSRF — 25 min (coming soon)
Unit 5 — Incident Response & Forensics
IR Lifecycle & Digital Forensics
- Incident response lifecycle — 20 min (coming soon)
- Log analysis and SIEM concepts — 25 min (coming soon)
- Digital forensics: evidence collection — 25 min (coming soon)
- Chain of custody and reporting — 20 min (coming soon)
Unit 6 — Ethical Hacking & Pen Testing
Ethical Hacking Methodology
- Penetration testing phases and scope — 25 min (coming soon)
- Reconnaissance and enumeration techniques — 25 min (coming soon)
- Exploitation concepts and responsible disclosure — 25 min (coming soon)
- Writing a professional penetration test report — 30 min (coming soon)
Practice & Exam Prep
Exam Practice
- Free-response practice: threat analysis scenario — 45 min (coming soon)
- Multiple-choice practice set 1 — 40 min (coming soon)
- Multiple-choice practice set 2 — 40 min (coming soon)
- Full timed practice exam — 90 min (coming soon)