Cybersecurity Foundations & Defense

Overview

A complete academic cybersecurity foundation built to ZHELTA Academy depth (equivalent to CompTIA A+). Across three semesters you build a defender's mindset, master daily security operations, and run incidents end-to-end from a working SOC desk. Every module ships with audio-guided lessons, skill checks, achievements, and a hands-on lab; each semester closes on a graded capstone certificate. This is the canonical prerequisite for Security+, CySA+, CEH, SOC Analyst, Digital Forensics, Cloud Security, and GRC tracks.

What you'll learn

• Semester 1 — Cybersecurity Foundations: CIA triad, threat landscape, password / MFA / email security, phishing detection, social engineering, mobile + AI hygiene, cyber ethics
• Semester 2 — Security Operations & Protection: endpoint hardening, malware analysis, firewalls, VPN, data protection, backup / DR, compliance, risk management, monitoring
• Semester 3 — Incident Response & Cyber Defense: IR lifecycle, threat intelligence, log + SIEM analysis, vulnerability management, security auditing, SOC operations, threat hunting, BC/DR, career readiness
• 18 interactive drag-and-drop labs (phishing triage, firewall priority ordering, MITRE ATT&CK mapping, CVSS prioritization, SIEM alert triage, and more)
• 3 capstone projects with graded certificates that unlock all advanced cyber tracks

Outcomes

• Confidently triage phishing, social-engineering and malware incidents
• Operate a 12-point endpoint hardening baseline across Windows/macOS/Linux
• Run an incident through the full NIST IR lifecycle and write the post-mortem
• Qualify for entry-level SOC Analyst, Cyber Support, and Compliance Associate roles
• Earn the prerequisite credential needed to enroll in Security+ / CySA+ / CEH / SOC Analyst

Syllabus

1. Cybersecurity Foundations

   Week Sem 1

   12 modules · threat awareness, credentials, MFA, phishing, social engineering, mobile, AI, ethics · 4 labs · Capstone: Personal Security Posture.

2. Security Operations & Protection

   Week Sem 2

   12 modules · endpoint hardening, malware, firewalls, VPN, data protection, backups, compliance, risk · 6 labs · Capstone: Defensive Posture Build.

3. Incident Response & Cyber Defense

   Week Sem 3

   12 modules · IR lifecycle, threat intel, logs, vuln mgmt, audits, SOC, threat hunting, BC/DR, career · 8 labs · Final Capstone: End-to-End Cyber Defense.