Cybersecurity Mastery: From Zero to Hero Course Outline

Course Duration: Self-paced (Estimated 6-9 Months) Prerequisites: Basic computer literacy. No prior coding or networking knowledge required (though helpful).

Module 1: Security Fundamentals (Beginner)

1. Introduction to Cybersecurity

• Core Concepts: The CIA Triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability).
• Threat Landscape: Malware, Phishing, Ransomware, Social Engineering, and DoS/DDoS.
• Terminology: Vulnerability vs. Threat vs. Risk vs. Exploit.
• Authentication: MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication), Biometrics, and Password Managers.

2. Networking Essentials

• The OSI Model: Understanding the 7 layers of communication.
• TCP/IP Stack: IP Addressing (IPv4/IPv6), Subnetting (CIDR), DNS, DHCP.
• Ports & Protocols: HTTP/S, SSH, FTP, SMTP, Telnet vs. SSH.
• Network Devices: Routers, Switches, Firewalls, and Access Points.

3. Operating Systems & Virtualization

• Virtualization: Setting up VirtualBox/VMware.
• Linux Essentials: Command line basics (ls, cd, grep, chmod), file permissions, and user management.
• Windows Administration: PowerShell basics, Registry, and Task Manager.
• Lab Setup: Installing Kali Linux (The hacker's OS) and a vulnerable target (Metasploitable).

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Module 2: Offensive Security / Ethical Hacking (Intermediate)

4. Reconnaissance & Footprinting

• Passive Recon: OSINT (Open Source Intelligence), Google Dorks, Shodan, Whois.
• Active Recon: Scanning networks with Nmap (Ping sweeps, Service version detection, OS fingerprinting).

5. Vulnerability Assessment

• Scanning: Using tools like Nessus or OpenVAS to find weaknesses.
• CVEs: Understanding Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures databases.
• Scoring: CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System).

6. Exploitation Basics

• Metasploit Framework: Architecture, payloads, and launching exploits.
• Password Cracking: Brute force, Dictionary attacks, Rainbow tables (John the Ripper, Hashcat).
• Man-in-the-Middle (MitM): ARP Spoofing and Wireshark traffic analysis.

7. Web Application Security

• The OWASP Top 10: Understanding the most critical web risks.
• SQL Injection (SQLi): dumping databases.
• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Stealing cookies and sessions.
• Burp Suite: Intercepting and modifying web traffic (Proxy usage).

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Module 3: Defensive Security / Blue Teaming (Advanced)

8. Network Defense & Hardening

• Firewalls: Stateful vs. Stateless, Next-Gen Firewalls (NGFW).
• IDS vs. IPS: Intrusion Detection vs. Prevention Systems (Snort/Suricata).
• Honeypots: Deception technology to trap attackers.

9. SIEM & Incident Response

• SIEM Tools: Splunk or ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana) for log analysis.
• Incident Response Lifecycle: Preparation, Detection, Containment, Eradication, Recovery, Lessons Learned.
• Digital Forensics: Disk imaging, memory analysis, and chain of custody.

10. Active Directory Security

• Domain Controllers: Kerberos, Group Policy Objects (GPO).
• Attacks: Pass-the-Hash, Golden Ticket, BloodHound mapping.
• Defense: Least Privilege, LAPS (Local Admin Password Solution).

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Module 4: Scripting & Automation (Pro)

11. Python for Security

• Basics: Variables, loops, functions.
• Network Scripting: Building a port scanner or packet sniffer with Python.
• Automation: Automating log parsing or brute force scripts.

12. Bash Scripting

• Automation: Automating recon tasks and system hardening scripts on Linux.

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Module 5: Advanced Specializations (Expert)

13. Cryptography

• Encryption: Symmetric (AES) vs. Asymmetric (RSA/ECC).
• Hashing: MD5, SHA-256 (Integrity checks).
• PKI: Public Key Infrastructure, Digital Signatures, and Certificates.

14. Cloud Security

• Cloud Models: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS.
• AWS/Azure Security: IAM, S3 Bucket security, Security Groups.
• Shared Responsibility Model: What you secure vs. what the provider secures.

15. Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)

• Frameworks: NIST Cybersecurity Framework, ISO 27001.
• Regulations: GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS.
• Risk Management: Quantitative vs. Qualitative risk assessment.

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Module 6: Projects & Certification Path

16. Portfolio Projects

• Project 1: Build a Home Lab (VirtualBox with Kali, Windows AD, Metasploitable).
• Project 2: Perform a full Vulnerability Assessment on a practice target and write a report.
• Project 3: Set up a SIEM (Wazuh or Splunk Free) and monitor logs for attacks.
• Project 4: Write a Keylogger or Ransomware simulator (for educational use only) in Python.

17. Certification Roadmap

• Entry: CompTIA Security+ (The standard baseline).
• Intermediate (Red Team): eJPT (Junior Penetration Tester), CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker).
• Intermediate (Blue Team): CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst).
• Advanced (Hands-on): OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional - The "Gold Standard" for pentesting).
• Management: CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional).

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Recommended Resources

• Practice Labs: TryHackMe (Beginner friendly), Hack The Box (Advanced).
• News: The Hacker News, BleepingComputer.
• YouTube: NetworkChuck, The Cyber Mentor, John Hammond.