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CSS 201: Operating System and Asset Security

Course Description

This course introduces Linux, an operating system commonly used by cybersecurity professionals. It provides an overview of the Linux command line through the Bash shell and how to perform actions such as to navigate and manage the file system and authenticate users. It will also provide an overview of how to interact with a database using SQL. Additionally, the course will build an understanding of how assets are classified. There will be an emphasis on common threats and vulnerabilities, and the security controls used by organizations to protect valuable information and mitigate risk. (3 credits)

Prerequisite

  • CSS 101: Cybersecurity Fundamentals

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to:

  1. Explain the relationship between operating systems, applications, and hardware.
  2. Compare a graphical user interface to a command line interface.
  3. Identify the unique features of common Linux distributions.
  4. Navigate and manage the file system using Linux commands via the Bash shell.
  5. Use Linux commands via the Bash shell to authenticate and authorize users.
  6. Describe how a relational database is organized.
  7. Use SQL to retrieve information from a database and apply filters to SQL queries and use joins to combine multiple tables.
  8. Discuss the role of encryption and hashing in securing assets.
  9. Describe how to effectively use authentication and authorization.
  10. Identify and critically assess issues and concepts related to the protection of information and information systems.
  11. Use risk management principles to assess threats, vulnerabilities, countermeasures, and impact contributions at risk in information systems.
  12. Explain how common vulnerability exposures are identified by MITRE.
  13. Analyze an attack surface to find risks and vulnerabilities.
  14. Identify threats, such as social engineering, malware, and web-based exploits.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussion (Weeks 1-8)

16%

Coursera Challenges (Weeks 1-8)

12%

Assignments (Weeks 2, 3, 5-8)

72%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

  • This course uses Open Educational Resources (OER). OER are openly licensed, educational resources that can be used for teaching, learning and research. OER may consist of a variety of resources such as textbooks, videos and software that are no cost for students.

Course Schedule 

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1, 2

Topics: Introduction to Operating Systems

  • Tools of the Trade: Linux and SQL - Module 1
  • Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User - Module 1
  • Review assigned material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit the Week 1 challenges

2

3,4

Topic: The Linux Operating System, Users and Permissions

  • Tools of the Trade: Linux and SQL - Module 2
  • Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User - Module 2
  • Review assigned material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit the Week 2 challenges
  • Submit Week 2 Assignment

3

5

Topic: Linux Commands in the Bash Shell

  • Tools of the Trade: Linux and SQL - Module 3
  • Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User - Module 3
  • Review assigned material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit the Week 3 challenges
  • Submit Week 3 Assignment

4

6,7

Topic: Filesystems, Databases and SQL

  • Tools of the Trade: Linux and SQL - Module 4
  • Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User - Module 4
  • Review assigned material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit the Week 4 challenges

5

8

Topic: Introduction to Asset Security

  • Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User - Module 5
  • Assets, Threats, and Vulnerabilities - Module 1
  • Review assigned material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit the Week 5 challenges
  • Submit Week 5 Assignment

6

9,10

Topics: Protect Organizational Assets

  • Assets, Threats, and Vulnerabilities - Module 2
  • IT Security: Defense against the digital dark arts - Module 2
  • Review assigned material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit the Week 6 challenges
  • Submit Week 6 Assignment

7

11,12

Topics: Vulnerabilities in Systems

  • Assets, Threats, and Vulnerabilities - Module 3
  • IT Security: Defense against the digital dark arts - Module 1
  • Review assigned material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit the Week 7 challenges
  • Submit Week 7 Assignment

8

13,14

Topics: Threats to Asset Security

  • Assets, Threats, and Vulnerabilities - Module 4
  • Review assigned material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit the Week 8 challenges
  • Submit Week 8 Assignment
  • Complete Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.