Spring 2024
I 320 Topics in Informatics: Applied Cybersecurity Clinic Practicum
Individualized practicum fieldwork with supervisory meetings to be arranged with the instructor.
DESCRIPTION
The Applied Cybersecurity Community Clinic is a two-semester sequence that first equips students with the technical and business skills of an entry-level cybersecurity analyst (semester 1) and then partners them in (supervised) teams with a Central Texas-based small business, municipal government, or nonprofit to render pro bono cybersecurity services (semester 2). During the first semester, students will learn key cybersecurity defense concepts and skills, such as vulnerability assessment, network configuration and security, access controls, authorization techniques, responding to a cyberattack, business planning, and penetration testing. Students will also learn how to form an effective cybersecurity operations team and communicate with organization leaders and employees about essential cybersecurity controls and functions. During the second semester, students work within their assigned teams to assess, design, and render a cybersecurity improvement project plan for their designated client organization, building cybersecurity capacity and bolstering the client organization’s ability to recover from a cyber incident long-term.
COURSE NOTES
Class Overview
The Applied Cybersecurity Community Clinic is a two-semester sequence that first equips students with the technical and business skills of an entry-level cybersecurity analyst (semester 1) and then partners them in (supervised) teams with a Central Texas-based small business, municipal government, or nonprofit to render pro bono cybersecurity services (semester 2). During the first semester, students will learn key cybersecurity defense concepts and skills, such as vulnerability assessment, network configuration and security, access controls, authorization techniques, responding to a cyberattack, business planning, and penetration testing. Students will also learn how to form an effective cybersecurity operations team and communicate with organization leaders and employees about essential cybersecurity controls and functions. During the second semester, students work within their assigned teams to assess, design, and render a cybersecurity improvement project plan for their designated client organization, building cybersecurity capacity and bolstering the client organization’s ability to recover from a cyber incident long-term.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
• Provide supervised hands-on cybersecurity services on a day-to-day basis to a small business, public sector organization, or nonprofit in the Central Texas area
• Assess, prioritize, and mitigate cyber risks to client organizations through design and implementation of a customized cybersecurity improvement project plan involving configuration of access and authorization controls, installation of endpoint and network monitoring tools, and drafting of cybersecurity plans and policies, amongst other cybersecurity solutions
• Communicate cybersecurity risks, suggested mitigations, and project status with client leaders, mentors, and instructor on a regular basis, keeping all stakeholders apprised of progress and challenges throughout the semester
RESTRICTIONS
Participation is limited to a small number of exceptional undergraduate students from any college or school. Strong candidates will be able to commit to two semesters of coursework and possess proven teamwork skills, an interest in learning and applying the technical aspects of cybersecurity, and a commitment to improving cyber resilience in Austin. No prior cybersecurity knowledge or experience required. See https://www.strausscenter.org/cybersecurity/apply-here-cyber-clinic for more information on applying to the Applied Cybersecurity Community Clinic.