Overview
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This Specialization brings together three essential courses; Cyber Security: Essentials, Cyber Security: Essentials for Managers and Leaders, and Cyber Security: Incident Response (Theory to Practice).
You’ll begin by developing a strong foundation in core cyber security principles, understanding threats such as phishing, ransomware, and social engineering, and learning how to apply essential practices to safeguard both personal and organisational digital assets. From there, you will progress to building the leadership and management skills required to oversee cyber security strategy at an organisational level. This includes mastering frameworks such as NIST and ISO 27001, applying risk management techniques, and understanding the governance structures and compliance requirements expected of modern enterprises.
Finally, integrate theory with practice through immersive incident response training. You’ll learn how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from cyber breaches, designing crisis communication strategies, leading teams through containment and recovery.
Developed by Macquarie University’s Cyber Skills Academy, ranked in the top 1% of universities globally and recognised as Australia’s leading cyber security school. By the end of this Specialization, you will be equipped with the confidence and skills to lead cyber security governance, protect organisational integrity, and drive compliance in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Syllabus
- Course 1: Cyber Security: Essentials
- Course 2: Cyber Security: Essentials for Managers and Leaders
- Course 3: Cyber Security: Incident Response - Theory to Practice
Courses
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Cyber Security Essentials: Stay Safe. Stay Secure. Cyber threats are a daily reality. This introductory course provides critical knowledge and practical tools to protect yourself, your data, and your organization at home and work. Developed by Macquarie University’s Cyber Skills Academy, this course suits any individual, regardless of role or technical background. Cyber security starts with you. By the end of this course, you will be able to: • Recognize cyber risks and understand security awareness importance. • Create secure passwords and use multi-factor authentication. • Browse safely and use social media without compromising privacy. • Avoid phishing scams, malware, and data breaches. • Protect mobile devices and connect safely on public networks. • Understand human and organizational costs of cybercrime. • Apply the CIA triad and explore cyber strategy. Cybercrime is projected to cost the global economy over $10.5 trillion USD annually by 2025. Many attacks succeed due to human error. This course builds cyber confidence, protecting data, people, reputations, and livelihoods. With self-paced content, Cyber Security Essentials builds cyber security resilience and literacy. It is ideal for onboarding new employees, fostering security awareness, or upskilling individuals with practical knowledge. Secure your skills. Secure your future. No prior technical background is required.
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Lead with Confidence. Govern with Clarity. Secure What Matters. In an era where cyber threats are a constant presence, leadership is no longer optional in the fight against cybercrime, it’s essential. Cyber security can no longer sit solely with the IT team. Boards, executives, and senior managers must be prepared to ask the right questions, interpret the right data, and make the right decisions. Cyber Starts at the Top This course is built specifically for non-technical leaders, CFOs, Strategy Officers, Chiefs of Staff, Operations Directors, and other decision-makers who want to confidently lead in a digital world. Whether you're shaping strategy, overseeing risk, or governing transformation, cyber security is now part of your leadership responsibility. Developed by Macquarie University’s Cyber Skills Academy, ranked in the top 1% of universities globally and a national leader in cyber security education, this course bridges the communication gap between cyber specialists and business leaders, empowering you to lead with insight and clarity. Throughout the course, you’ll learn how to: - Understand cyber threats, risks, and mitigation strategies in plain language, no jargon, no fluff. - Align cyber security goals with your organisation’s strategic priorities and risk appetite. - Read and interpret cyber metrics, dashboards, and board-level reports with confidence. - Communicate effectively with security teams and non-technical stakeholders alike. - Navigate key legal, regulatory, and compliance frameworks to make informed governance decisions. - Champion a security-first culture and drive meaningful behavioural change from the top down. Why It Matters Cyber security failures are no longer just technical issues; they’re business, financial, and reputational crises. From operational disruptions and legal consequences to loss of customer trust, the impact of cyber incidents reaches every corner of an organisation. Leaders who understand and engage in cyber governance are better equipped to prevent, manage, and recover from these challenges. Designed for Influence Cyber Security for Managers and Leaders is self-paced, practical, and designed for immediate relevance. It’s ideal for executives, senior managers, and team leads who want to make informed decisions, oversee risk, and lead their organisation’s cyber security strategy with clarity and conviction. Cyber resilience is a leadership competency. This is where it begins.
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Cyber Response and Recovery | Detect Fast. Recover Smarter. When a cyber incident strikes, every second counts. The ability to respond swiftly, contain damage, and recover with confidence is what separates resilient organisations from the rest. This course empowers you with the strategy, structure, and skills to lead through chaos—and emerge stronger. From Crisis to Continuity Developed by Macquarie University’s Cyber Skills Academy—ranked in the top 1% of universities globally and recognised as Australia’s leading cyber security school—this course takes a real-world, scenario-driven approach to building your cyber incident response and recovery capability. You’ll learn how to prepare your business before an incident occurs, coordinate rapid and effective responses when one hits, and conduct deep post-incident reviews to improve your future resilience. With a strong focus on practical application, you’ll master: • Building an incident-ready organisation with policies, communication protocols, and trained response teams • Detecting cyber events and conducting triage analysis with confidence • Containing threats and initiating rapid eradication and recovery operations • Communicating during a crisis—internally and externally—when clarity matters most • Documenting and learning from incidents to strengthen long-term cyber posture Build Your Organisation’s Recovery Muscle Whether you’re a cyber leader, business executive, or operational team member, this course gives you the tools and confidence to manage the lifecycle of a cyber incident—before, during, and after the event. You’ll walk away with a tested blueprint for action that keeps your people safe, your systems secure, and your business running. Learn from global leaders. Act under pressure. Lead recovery with strength.
Taught by
Matt Bushby