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Cybersecurity Architecture

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Cybersecurity Architecture

Name: Cybersecurity Architecture
Rating: 4.792929292929293 (198 reviews)

This course is part of multiple programs.

Instructors: Jeff Crume +1 more

Top Instructor

21,123 already enrolled

Included with

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

198 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

198 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Apply the five foundational principles of cybersecurity and CIA triad to real-world scenarios to design and evaluate secure systems
Integrate key areas a cybersecurity architect must consider when developing a secure enterprise solution, including governance, and risk management
Assess and implement Identity and Access Management (IAM), endpoint security, application security, and data security, to strengthen security
Evaluate scenarios & recommend practical methods to enhance its security through improved configurations, monitoring, and incident response planning

Skills you'll gain

Category: Cybersecurity
Category: IT Security Architecture
Category: Network Architecture
Category: Network Security
Category: Application Security
Category: Data Security
Category: Endpoint Detection and Response

Tools you'll learn

Category: Information Technology Architecture

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

9 assignments

Taught in English

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is available as part of

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Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 5 modules in this course

In today's digital world, cyberattacks are aimed at stealing sensitive information or holding data hostage. Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that by 2031, a ransomware attack will occur every two seconds, compared to one every eleven seconds in 2021. This growing frequency underscores the urgent need for skilled cybersecurity professionals.

If you are starting a career as a cybersecurity analyst or are simply curious about how cybersecurity works, join us on this five-week journey through Cybersecurity Architecture. You will learn from a distinguished cybersecurity engineer who also teaches as an adjunct professor at a local university. This course is designed for anyone interested in gaining a solid understanding of cybersecurity. It covers fundamental topics such as the five security principles, the CIA triad, Identity and Access Management (IAM), endpoint security, and key security domains. You will also learn about detection and response concepts and tools, giving you a complete view of prevention, detection, and response. Throughout the course, you will have opportunities to apply what you learn through practical activities and labs, and to test your knowledge with quizzes across different modules. Come and explore the world of cybersecurity.

In this module, you will be introduced to fundamental principles of cybersecurity including defense in depth, least privilege, separation of duties, security by design, Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS). You will also be introduced to bad practice Security by Obscurity that can lead to cyberattacks. Next, you will be able to recognize the importance and key concepts related to Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability, or the CIA Triad. Finally, you will become familiar with roles and how to manage the role security.

What's included

5 videos4 readings2 assignments9 plugins

5 videosTotal 54 minutes

Course Introduction4 minutes
Five Principles to Follow (and One to Avoid)17 minutes
Fundamentals of Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability12 minutes
Roles and Tools14 minutes
OWASP Top 107 minutes

4 readingsTotal 24 minutes

Course Overview10 minutes
Prerequisites and Course Syllabus1 minute
Reading: Disclaimer10 minutes
Summary and Highlights: Cybersecurity Architecture Overview3 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Graded Quiz: Cybersecurity Architecture Overview30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Getting Started with Cybersecurity Architecture10 minutes

9 pluginsTotal 50 minutes

Helpful Tips for Course Completion1 minute
Reading: Key Takeaways: Five Principles5 minutes
Reading: How to Implement Least Privilege Security10 minutes
Activity: Apply the Concept of Least Privilege5 minutes
Reading: Key Takeaways: CIA Fundamentals5 minutes
Reading: CIA Triad5 minutes
Reading: Key Takeaways: Roles and Tools5 minutes
Reading: NIST Cybersecurity Framework10 minutes
Module Glossary: Cybersecurity Architecture Overview4 minutes

This module introduces Identity and access management (IAM) and endpoints. IAM is one of the security domains and is referred to as the new perimeter. You will learn about the LDAP and the 4 A’s of IAM including administration, authorization, authentication, and audits. After a brief discussion on Privileged access management (PAM), you will be introduced to the concepts of multifactor authentication (MFA) and single sign on (SSO). You will also learn about endpoints, which is another key security domain. After learning the definition of an endpoint, you will be introduced to endpoint management systems, which help control the endpoints.

What's included

2 videos1 reading2 assignments5 plugins

2 videosTotal 45 minutes

Who Are You? Identity and Access Management Really Wants to Know31 minutes
Endpoints Are the IT Front Door - Guard Them14 minutes

1 readingTotal 2 minutes

Summary and Highlights: Access Management and Endpoint Security 2 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Graded Quiz: Access Management and Endpoint Security30 minutes
Module 2 Practice Quiz: Access Management and Endpoint Security10 minutes

5 pluginsTotal 29 minutes

Reading: Key Takeaways: IAM5 minutes
Reading: Understanding Multi-Factor Authentication10 minutes
Activity: Apply Multi-Factor Authentication 5 minutes
Reading: Key Takeaways: Endpoint Security5 minutes
Glossary: Access Management and Endpoint Security4 minutes

In this module, you will be introduced to security in the network, application and data domains. As part of the network security domain, you will gain insight into firewall concepts, such as packet filter, stateful packet inspection, and proxy. You will also be introduced to security concepts associated with segments and VPNs, and SASE. Moving to the Application security domain, you will get familiar with the phases when security vulnerabilities creep in along with best practices for secure coding along with introduction of vulnerability testing. The concept of DevSecOps, Static Application Security Testing (SAST) and Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) will also be introduced. This module will conclude with concepts associated with data security including governance, discovery, compliance, detection, and response.

What's included

6 videos1 reading2 assignments12 plugins

6 videosTotal 80 minutes

Network Security27 minutes
Application Security16 minutes
Application Security Architecture Essentials7 minutes
Data Security15 minutes
Architects' Role in Security Incidents and Failures6 minutes
Performing a Security Audit8 minutes

1 readingTotal 5 minutes

Summary and Highlights: Network, Application, and Data Security5 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Graded Quiz: Network, Application, and Data Security30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Security Domains10 minutes

12 pluginsTotal 113 minutes

Reading: Key Takeaways: Network Security5 minutes
Reading: Securing Network Infrastructure10 minutes
Hands-on Lab: Secure Network Diagram 15 minutes
Reading: Case Study: Network Architecture Powered by IBM10 minutes
Lab: Create a Security Architecture Diagram30 minutes
Reading: Key Takeaways: Application Security5 minutes
Reading: Secure Coding Practices10 minutes
Reading: Key Takeaways: Data Security5 minutes
Reading: Data Security: Why a Proactive Stance is Best10 minutes
Reading: Quantum Safe Encryption5 minutes
Activity: Podcast: Creating Security Reports4 minutes
Glossary: Network, Application, and Data Security4 minutes

In this module, you will learn about detecting cyberattacks and responding to them. This module will introduce you to security being the sum of prevention, detection, and response. You will be introduced to detection using the security information and event management (SIEM) system or extended detection response (XDR) system detection techniques to perform tasks such as monitoring, analyzing, reporting, and threat hunting. You will also get an overview of the SIEM process followed by the XDR process and how SIEM and XDR work together. Further, you will be introduced to federated search. This module will also cover how to respond to cyberattacks. You will become familiar with the SOAR system and also understand how automation and orchestration differ. Finally, you will be introduced to breach notifications.

What's included

3 videos1 reading2 assignments9 plugins

3 videosTotal 41 minutes

Cybersecurity Architecture: Detection17 minutes
Security Vulnerability Assessment Approach8 minutes
Response16 minutes

1 readingTotal 5 minutes

Summary and Highlights: Detection and Response5 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Graded Quiz: Detection and Response30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Detecting Cyberattacks and Creating a Response10 minutes

9 pluginsTotal 54 minutes

Reading: Key Takeaways: Detection10 minutes
Reading: Indicators of Compromise1 minute
Reading: Threat Intelligence5 minutes
Lab: Analyze recent security threat reports using X-Force Threat Exchange15 minutes
Reading: Key Takeaways: Response5 minutes
Reading: Incident Response Frameworks5 minutes
Activity: Incident Response 5 minutes
Reading: Case Study -Stopping Cyberattacks at a Major International Airport5 minutes
Module Glossary: Detection and Response3 minutes

In this module, you will complete a final project where you will have an opportunity to demonstrate your proficiency in designing a secure network architecture. Next, a case study will help you understand the different security tools from IBM. Finally, the final exam will test your knowledge of the course’s content including cybersecurity fundamentals and security domains.

What's included

3 readings1 assignment1 app item4 plugins

3 readingsTotal 7 minutes

Course Summary: Cybersecurity Architecture5 minutes
Congratulations and Next Steps1 minute
Thanks from the Course Team1 minute

1 assignmentTotal 60 minutes

Final Exam: Cybersecurity Architecture60 minutes

1 app itemTotal 45 minutes

Final Project Graded Quiz: Recommendations to Improve Network Security45 minutes

4 pluginsTotal 76 minutes

Reading: Project Overview: Recommendations to Improve Network Security5 minutes
Final Project: Recommendations to Improve Network Security40 minutes
Lab: (Optional) Create a Security Architecture Diagram for Jackson Corporation30 minutes
Course Glossary: Cybersecurity Architecture1 minute

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Instructors

Instructor ratings

(57 ratings)

Top Instructor

Jeff Crume

IBM

3 Courses21,124 learners

Ramanujam Srinivasan

IBM

22 Courses218,716 learners

Offered by

IBM

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Learner reviews

5 stars
87.93%
4 stars
7.03%
3 stars
3.01%
2 stars
0.50%
1 star
1.50%

Showing 3 of 198

Reviewed on Nov 20, 2024

Very informative and helped me understand some of the key cybersecurity principles needed to safeguard as organisation's environment.

Reviewed on Oct 30, 2025

It helped me allot in building my basics and fundamentals.

Reviewed on Sep 8, 2025

Foundational Architecture knowledge was amazing to learn in a fresh invigorating way. Thank you!

Frequently asked questions

This course is ideal for system architects, IT professionals, network engineers, cybersecurity analysts, and anyone interested in designing secure systems. It’s also valuable for technical leads and managers responsible for embedding security into enterprise solutions.

Cybersecurity architecture is critical because it provides a structured framework for defending systems, networks, and data from evolving cyber threats. Strong architecture ensures that security controls are integrated into every layer of technology, reducing vulnerabilities and ensuring operational resilience.

Learners will develop hands-on skills in applying cybersecurity principles, building secure network and system architectures, implementing identity and access management, using detection technologies, and designing effective incident response strategies.

The course combines theoretical knowledge with practical labs and real-world case studies. Learners apply frameworks such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) and the Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP) standards to identify vulnerabilities, design secure systems, and respond to cyber incidents effectively.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.