The cost of security breaches continues to rise, prompting businesses to seek skilled professionals who can anticipate and prevent cyber threats. This IBM course in Penetration Testing, Threat Hunting, and Cryptography helps you develop the critical skills needed to identify vulnerabilities, protect assets, and strengthen your organization's cybersecurity defenses using AI and cryptography.

Throughout the course, you’ll learn the various phases of penetration testing and gain hands-on experience performing software pen testing and scanning code repositories. You’ll also master the creation of detailed penetration testing reports, engage in threat hunting, and integrate AI into threat intelligence processes. In addition, you'll explore Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) frameworks to identify and assess potential threats more effectively.

The course covers essential cryptography techniques, including encryption, decryption, and hashing, while also examining common cryptographic attacks and cryptanalysis methods. By the end, you'll have practical, real-world skills to enhance your organization's security posture.

To participate in the labs and final project, you will need a laptop or desktop, along with basic knowledge of networking and cybersecurity. This course is ideal for both current cybersecurity professionals looking to sharpen their skills and those aspiring to enter the field.

If you’re ready to gain in-demand cybersecurity expertise in penetration testing, threat hunting, and cryptography, this hands-on course will equip you with the skills needed to advance your career.

Learning Outcomes

Gain in-demand penetration testing and threat hunting skills, with hands-on practice that employers value on your resume.
Acquire practical experience applying penetration testing principles using tools like OWASP ZAP and SNYK.
Learn how to create detailed penetration testing reports and integrate AI for advanced threat hunting and intelligence gathering.
Master cryptography and cryptanalysis techniques, including encryption and hashing, to ensure data integrity and confidentiality.

Course Syllabus

Welcome
Video: Course Introduction (4:03)
General Information
Plugin/Reading: Helpful Tips for Course Completion
Grading Scheme

Module 1: Penetration Testing Planning and Discovery

Module Introduction and Learning Objectives
Video: What is Penetration Testing? (7:40)
Video: Penetration Testing Phases (7:12)
Activity: Phases of the Penetration Testing Challenge
Video: Penetration Testing - Planning Phase (8:29)
Video: Penetration Testing - Discovery Phase (5:56)
Reading: Examples of passive and active reconnaissance
Reading: Google Dorking
Hands-on Lab: Practicing Google Dorking Commands
Practice Quiz: Penetration Testing Planning and Discovery
Reading: Summary and Highlights: Penetration Testing Planning and Discovery
Module Glossary: Penetration Testing Planning and Discovery Phases
Graded Assignment: Graded Quiz: Penetration Testing Planning and Discovery

Module 2: Penetration Testing: Attack Phase

Module Introduction and Learning Objectives
Video: Penetration Testing: Attack Phase (6:02)
Reading: Penetration Testing Tools
Hands-on Lab: Penetration Testing
Video: Port Scanning (6:52)
Lab: Port Scanning with NMap
Lab: Scanning Network Environment with NMap
Video: Overview Of Network Protocol Analyzers (7:05)
Hands-on Lab: Network Protocol Analyzers
Practice Quiz: Penetration Testing: Attack Phase
Summary and Highlights: Penetration Testing: Attack Phase
Reading: Glossary: Penetration Testing: Attack Phase
Graded Assignment: Graded Quiz: Penetration Testing: Attack Phase

Module 3: Penetration Testing: Reporting Phase

Module Introduction and Learning Objectives
Video: Software and Application Pen Testing (6:50)
Video: Scanning Code Repositories (5:28)
Hands-on Lab: Getting started with GitHub (optional)
Hands-on Lab: Using SNYK to scan your code repository (optional)
Video: Penetration Testing - Reporting Phase (7:35)
Reading: PTES Framework
Activity: PTES Framework
Practice Quiz: Penetration Testing Reporting
Reading: Summary and Highlights: Penetration Testing: Reporting Phase
Plugin/Reading: Glossary: Penetration Testing: Reporting Phase
Graded Assignment: Graded Quiz: Penetration Testing: Reporting Phase

Module 4: Threat Hunting and Threat Intelligence

Module Introduction and Learning Objectives
Video: Threat Hunting Overview (5:09)
Video: Threat Intelligence Overview (5:09)
Reading: Threat Intelligence Process
Activity: Implement Threat Intelligence
Reading: Threat Intelligence Sources
Lab: Review X-Force Exchange Threat Reports
Video: Security Information and Event Management (7:13)
Video: AI in Threat Intelligence and Threat Hunting (5:17)
Reading: User and Entity Behavior Analytics
Video: Threat Intelligence Framework Overview (7:15)
Reading: Use Cases of the MITRE ATT&CK Model and the Diamond Model of Intrusion Analysis
Practice Quiz: Threat Intelligence Platforms and Frameworks
Reading: Summary and Highlights: Threat Hunting and Threat Intelligence
Plugin/Reading: Glossary: Threat Hunting and Threat Intelligence
Graded Assignment: Graded Quiz: Threat Hunting and Threat Intelligence

Module 5: Cryptography: Principles and Techniques

Module Introduction and Learning Objectives
Video: Importance of Cryptography (6:12)
Video: Overview of Encryption, Decryption, and Hashing (6:32)
Video: Symmetric and Asymmetric Encryption (6:16)
Reading: Essentials of Cryptography and Security
Lab : End of Encryption/ Decryption (RSA Algorithm)
Video: Common Cryptographic Attacks (6:32)
Video: Securing SSL/TLS and Strengthening Key Management Edit Set Access Page Actions (4:20)
Video: Cryptanalysis and Its Impact on Encryption (6:55)
Reading: Cryptographic Algorithms, Applications, and Attacks
Lab : Cryptoanalysis Attack
Reading: Quantum-Safe Cryptography
Video: IBM Quantum Safe Cryptography Solutions (3:17)
Practice Quiz: Cryptographic Attacks
Reading: Summary and Highlights: Cryptography: Principles and Techniques
Plugin/Reading: Glossary: Cryptography: Principles and Techniques
Graded Quiz: Cryptography and Cryptographic Attacks

Module 6: Final Project and Final Quiz

Module Introduction and Learning Objectives
Project Overview
Final Project: Part 1 - Perform Vulnerability Analysis and Penetration Testing
Final Project: Part 2 - Secure Information Using Symmetric Encryption
Peer Graded Assignment
Course Glossary
Video: Course Highlights and Key Takeaways (7:25)

Course Wrap-Up

Reading: Congratulations and Next Steps
Reading: Team and Acknowledgments
Copyrights and Trademarks

Course Rating

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General Information

This course is self-paced.
This platform works best with current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari.

Recommended Skills Prior to Taking this Course

A basic understanding of IT systems and cybersecurity principles is recommended prior to enrollment.

Cybersecurity: Pen-Testing, Threat Hunting, & Encryption

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