Introduction to Computers and Operating Systems and Security

This course is part of Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate

Instructor: Microsoft

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

Shareable certificate

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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
Earn a shareable career certificate from Microsoft

Earn a career certificate

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Share it on social media and in your performance review

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

Module quiz: Introduction to computers and operating systems30 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

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.

What's included

7 videos8 readings4 assignments1 discussion prompt

7 videosTotal 37 minutes

Infrastructure and Servers5 minutesPreview module
Risk mitigation: Backup frequency5 minutes
What are computing environments?5 minutes
Security in computing environments5 minutes
What is maintenance and patching?5 minutes
Patch management: pros, cons, and challenges4 minutes
Module summary: Enterprise systems and security4 minutes

8 readingsTotal 75 minutes

Types of servers, storage, and backups10 minutes
Additional resources: Servers, storage and backup10 minutes
Traditional versus cloud computing environments10 minutes
Security in computing environments in depth10 minutes
Additional resources: Computing environments10 minutes
Types of maintenance10 minutes
Vulnerability management10 minutes
Additional resources: Maintenance and patching5 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 75 minutes

Module quiz: Enterprise systems and security30 minutes
Knowledge check: Servers, storage and backup15 minutes
Knowledge check: Computing environments15 minutes
Knowledge check: Maintenance and patching15 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Storage and security needs for enterprise versus home users10 minutes

This Module provides an introduction to software in the business context that facilitates the performance of various tasks, enhancing productivity.

What's included

9 videos10 readings5 assignments1 discussion prompt

9 videosTotal 42 minutes

What is business software?5 minutesPreview module
A day in the life of a business computer4 minutes
How email changed the world5 minutes
Email app functions5 minutes
Growing your knowledge on storage 5 minutes
Processing data 4 minutes
Machine Learning and data4 minutes
Artificial intelligence and machine learning3 minutes
Module Summary: Business systems applications4 minutes

10 readingsTotal 115 minutes

Common business software10 minutes
Exercise: Business software30 minutes
Exemplar: Business software10 minutes
Computers under pressure10 minutes
Additional resources: Business software5 minutes
Email security functions10 minutes
Additional resources: Email apps10 minutes
Data warehousing and data lakes 10 minutes
Machine learning in action10 minutes
Additional resources: Storage solutions10 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 85 minutes

Module quiz: Business systems applications30 minutes
Self review: Business software10 minutes
Knowledge check: Business software15 minutes
Knowledge check: Email apps15 minutes
Knowledge check: Storage solutions15 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Have you ever received spam or malicious emails? What was your experience?10 minutes

This module provides a recap of the course.

What's included

2 videos2 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

2 videosTotal 7 minutes

Course recap: Introduction to computers and operating systems and security4 minutesPreview module
Congratulations2 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

About the final course assessment10 minutes
Next steps10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 90 minutes

Course quiz: Introduction to computers and operating systems, and security90 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Reflect on learning10 minutes

Instructor

Instructor ratings

4.8 (369 ratings)

Microsoft

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Microsoft

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Introduction to Computers and Operating Systems and Security

What you'll learn

Details to know

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Build your Security expertise

Earn a career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

Introduction to computers and operating systems

What's included

Enterprise systems and security

What's included

Business systems applications

What's included

Computers, operating systems, and security

What's included

Instructor

Offered by

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Learner reviews

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Advance your career with an online degree

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business