Ethical Hacking & Cybersecurity

1. Program Overview

The Certificate in Ethical Hacking & Cybersecurity  training programe is a foundational, hands-on program designed to develop practical skills in threat analysis, ethical hacking techniques, system defense, cybersecurity tools, and incident response.

The program ensures legal, responsible, and ethical learning within controlled lab environments.

2. Program Duration

• Total Duration: 4–6 Months
• Learning Hours: 150–200 Hours
• Delivery Mode: Classroom / Online / Hybrid
• Components: Lectures, Labs, Simulations, Projects, Exams

3. Target Audience

• Students pursuing cybersecurity careers
• IT support personnel
• Network administrators
• Anyone preparing for CEH, Security+, or Pentest+

4. Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, learners will be able to:

✔ Understand cybersecurity concepts and ethical hacking principles

✔ Perform reconnaissance and vulnerability analysis ethically

✔ Use cybersecurity tools (Nmap, Wireshark, Metasploit, etc.)

✔ Identify and mitigate security vulnerabilities

✔ Secure networks, systems, and web applications

✔ Conduct incident response and basic digital forensics

✔ Write professional cybersecurity reports

5. Course Structure & Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Cybersecurity & Ethical Hacking

Topics:

• Cybersecurity fundamentals
• Threat actors, attack vectors
• Cyber kill chain
• Ethics, laws, and responsible hacking
• Security frameworks & certifications

Lab Work:

• Setting up a cybersecurity lab (Kali Linux, Windows VM)

Module 2: Networking & Operating System Essentials

Topics:

• TCP/IP models & OSI
• Subnetting, DNS, DHCP, NAT
• Windows & Linux basics for cybersecurity
• Packet analysis concepts

Lab Work:

• Wireshark packet capture
• Linux command-line fundamentals

Module 3: Footprinting & Reconnaissance

Topics:

• OSINT techniques
• DNS enumeration
• WHOIS, email lookup
• Social engineering awareness (non-practical)

Lab Work:

• theHarvester
• Recon-NG
• Passive scanning exercises

Module 4: Scanning & Enumeration

Topics:

• Network scanning methodology
• Nmap scanning techniques
• Banner grabbing
• Vulnerability scanning

Lab Work:

• Nmap service & version scans
• Nessus/OpenVAS scanning

Module 5: Vulnerability Assessment

Topics:

• OWASP overview
• CVSS scoring
• Patch management
• Security misconfigurations

Lab Work:

• Vulnerability assessment on target VMs
• Risk prioritization

Module 6: System Security & Hardening

Topics:

• Password attacks (theory only)
• Privilege escalation concepts
• Malware types & defense strategies
• OS security controls

Lab Work:

• Windows & Linux system hardening
• Password auditing in lab environments

Module 7: Web Application Security

Topics:

• OWASP Top 10
• Authentication & session management
• Injection flaws (SQLi/XSS simulations)
• Secure coding principles

Lab Work:

• DVWA / WebGoat vulnerability identification
• XSS and SQLi testing in isolated labs

Module 8: Network Security & Defense

Topics:

• Firewalls, VPNs
• IDS/IPS
• Zero Trust architecture
• SIEM concepts

Lab Work:

• Firewall rule configuration
• IDS log analysis

Module 9: Wireless Security

Topics:

• Wi-Fi standards
• Wireless attack types (theory)
• Secure wireless configurations

Lab Work:

• Wireshark wireless traffic analysis
• Secure WPA3 setup

Module 10: Cryptography Essentials

Topics:

• Encryption vs hashing
• Symmetric & asymmetric keys
• Certificates & SSL/TLS
• PKI

Lab Work:

• Hashing & encryption in Linux
• File encryption

Module 11: Incident Response & Digital Forensics

Topics:

• Incident response lifecycle
• Digital evidence basics
• Log analysis
• Security monitoring

Lab Work:

• Windows event log investigation
• Timeline analysis exercise

Module 12: Security Automation & Scripting

Topics:

• Python for cybersecurity
• Bash automation
• Log parsing
• Automating security tasks

Lab Work:

• Build a simple security automation script

6. Assessments & Evaluation

Continuous Assessments

• 12 Quizzes (one per module)
• 12 Lab Assignments
• Midterm Examination
• Final Examination

Final Project (Capstone)

Learners complete one major project from these options:

1. Vulnerability Assessment Report
2. Incident Response Simulation
3. Web Application Security Test (lab-based)
4. Network Security Architecture Design
5. Threat Analysis Case Study

Evaluation Criteria:

• Technical accuracy
• Use of cybersecurity tools
• Documentation & reporting quality
• Ethical compliance
• Presentation skills

Certification Requirements

To earn the certificate, learners must:

✔ Complete all modules and labs

✔ Score at least 60% in assessments

✔ Complete the final project

✔ Pass the final exam

7. Learning Resources

• Kali Linux
• Windows Server & Client
• OWASP tools
• Wireshark
• Nmap
• OpenVAS/Nessus
• VirtualBox/VMware
• Security documentation templates

8. Career Pathways

This certification prepares learners for roles such as:

• Cybersecurity Technician
• Junior Penetration Tester
• SOC Analyst (Tier 1)
• Network Security Assistant
• Vulnerability Analyst