What you'll learn

Identify various components of a computer system.
Explain the way in which computer components interact with an operating system.
Describe the basics of the cybersecurity landscape and various business computing environments.
NEW [optional] introduction to Generative AI

Details to know

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Assessments

16 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your Security expertise

This course is part of the Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Professional Certificate.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
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There are 4 modules in this course

If you're interested in a cybersecurity career but don't know where to start, you've arrived at the right place!

This course forms part of a series of courses that offers a good starting point for a career in cybersecurity. It will help you gain knowledge and skills related to Computers and Operating Systems, Enterprise Systems, and Security, including Business Systems Applications. This course gets you one step closer to the Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate, which requires no degree or prior experience. After completing this course, you’ll be able to: • Identify the various components of a computer system • Explain how the various components of a computer system interact with an operating system • Describe the basics of the cybersecurity landscape • Describe the various business computing environments This is also a great way to prepare for the Microsoft SC-900 exam. By passing the SC-900 exam, you’ll earn the Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals Certification.

In this module, computer basics are explained, including hardware and operating systems. You will also learn where threats to cybersecurity can originate in the computing landscape, and cover a broad overview of how these threats can result in a security breach.

What's included

14 videos17 readings6 assignments2 discussion prompts

14 videosTotal 78 minutes

Introduction to the program: Microsoft cybersecurity analyst 4 minutesPreview module
Introduction to the course: Introduction to computers and operating systems and security3 minutes
A day in the life5 minutes
Welcome to Generative AI for everyone6 minutes
Understanding the Capabilities of Generative AI for Business Functions9 minutes
Generative AI - Under the hood7 minutes
The potential pitfalls and shortcomings of GEN AI6 minutes
Threat landscape overview4 minutes
Linked threats4 minutes
What is a computer and what is inside it?4 minutes
How does a computer operate?6 minutes
What is an operating system and what does it do?4 minutes
Popular operating systems6 minutes
Module summary: Introduction to computers and operating systems3 minutes

17 readingsTotal 170 minutes

Skills measured: Exam SC-90010 minutes
Course syllabus10 minutes
How to be successful in this course10 minutes
How to open an image in a new tab10 minutes
How to locate your downloaded files10 minutes
Additional resources: Microsoft cybersecurity analyst 5 minutes
Generative AI Terminology10 minutes
Generative AI in Business10 minutes
Threat stats10 minutes
Exercise: Explaining the threat landscape30 minutes
Exemplar: Explaining the threat landscape10 minutes
Additional resources: Threat landscape 5 minutes
Hardware versus software10 minutes
Additional resources: Introduction to computing devices5 minutes
Types of operating systems10 minutes
Proprietary and open-source software10 minutes
Additional resources: Operating systems5 minutes

6 assignmentsTotal 100 minutes

General Knowledge Quiz15 minutes
Self-review: Explaining the threat landscape10 minutes
Knowledge check: Elements of the threat landscape15 minutes
Knowledge check: Introduction to computing devices15 minutes
Knowledge check: Operating systems15 minutes
Module quiz: Introduction to computers and operating systems30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Meet and greet10 minutes
What elements of the threat landscape have you been exposed to before?10 minutes

In this module we consider servers, storage and backups, computing environments, and the process of maintenance and patching, in the context of enterprise systems and security.