Cybersecurity Fundamentals

About This Course

Cybersecurity is no longer an optional skill — it's a crucial aspect of our digital lives, whether you're working in IT, running a business, or simply managing your personal information.

Throughout this course, we’ll cover foundational topics such as the CIA triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability), common threats, attack vectors, and how to secure systems and networks.

We will also dive into more advanced concepts such as cryptography, access control, network and enterprise security, and regulatory compliance. This course is ideal whether you're looking to pursue a career in cybersecurity or simply want to enhance your understanding of how to protect digital environments.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will:

• Gain theoretical and methodological knowledge specific to cybersecurity.
• Refresh your understanding of IT basics, including networking, operating systems, and software, with a strong emphasis on security.
• Identify and understand key security issues, including human factors, technical failures, and software vulnerabilities.
• Learn about modern cybersecurity principles, technologies, and challenges.
• Explore the current state of cybersecurity practices and research, while identifying open challenges in the field.

Study Programs

This course is mandatory for the following study programs:

• M.Sc. Cybersecurity

This course is offered in odd quarters and can, therefore¹, be selected as an elective in the following study programs:

• M.Sc. Applied AI
• M.Sc. Advanced Digital Reality
• M.Sc. Digital Leadership
• MBA Digital Technologies
• MBA Digital Transformation

¹: Generally all mandatory modules of a study program can be selected as an elective in all study programs in which they are not offered as a mandatory module. However, there are several rules that apply. First, at least half of the selected electives have to be taken from your study program. Second, all electives are only available in either odd or even quarters. Therefore, not all electives are available in all programs (given that you want to finish the program within the regular time frame and do not want to take that elective in parallel to your impact project).

Micro Degree

• This course is offered as a micro degree.
• German UDS Micro Degrees are compatible with the European MOOC Consortiums Common Micro Credentials Framework.
• Micro Degrees will be rewarded with an equivalent of 5 ECTS.
• Micro Degrees are offered to non-regular students and require a fee of €900.

Requirements

Knowledge and skills as provided in the Prep courses.

General Information

• Teaching Format: Lectures and exercises (homework-based)
• Total Workload Master: 125h (40h/85h) / 5 ECTS
• Total Workload MBA: 100h (40h/60h) / 4 ECTS
• Total Workload Micro Degree: 125h (40h/85h) / Equivalent to 5 ECTS
• Module coordinator: Dr. Pejman Najafi
• Examinations: Quizzes, presentations, essays/papers, project reports, written exams.
• Offered: Even quarters