Unit 258: ICT Security Fundamentals

1. Introduction to ICT Security Threats

• Definition and significance of ICT security
• Types of ICT security threats
  • Malware (viruses, worms, ransomware, spyware)
  • Phishing and spear-phishing attacks
  • Hacking and unauthorized access
  • Social engineering tactics
• Importance of controlling threats to protect information and systems

2. Common ICT Security Vulnerabilities

• Overview of vulnerabilities in ICT systems
• Weak passwords and authentication failures
• Unpatched and outdated software
• Insecure network connections (Wi-Fi, VPN weaknesses)
• Lack of encryption and data protection
• Consequences of vulnerabilities exploitation

3. Risk Assessment in ICT Security

• Purpose and importance of risk assessment
• Steps in conducting risk assessments
  • Identifying assets and potential threats
  • Evaluating likelihood and potential impact
  • Risk prioritization and ranking
• Risk mitigation strategies
• Case studies/examples of risk assessments

4. Security Controls and Countermeasures

• Definition and types of security controls
  • Preventive controls (firewalls, access controls)
  • Detective controls (intrusion detection systems, monitoring)
  • Corrective controls (patch management, backups)
• Access control mechanisms (password policies, multi-factor authentication)
• Encryption technologies and their applications
• Security policies and procedures

5. Incident Response and Management

• Importance of incident response planning
• Components of an incident response plan
• Steps in incident management
  • Detection and identification
  • Containment and eradication
  • Recovery and post-incident analysis
• Roles and responsibilities during incidents

6. Security Awareness and Training

• Role of human factors in ICT security
• Designing effective security awareness programs
• Best practices for employee training
• Promoting a security-conscious culture
• Measuring effectiveness of training

7. Compliance and Legal Aspects of ICT Security

• Overview of regulatory and legal requirements
• Key compliance standards
  • General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
  • Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
• Consequences of non-compliance
• Data privacy and protection laws

8. Emerging Trends in ICT Security

• Cloud security challenges and solutions
• Security concerns in Internet of Things (IoT) devices
• AI-driven cybersecurity threats and defenses
• Quantum computing risks to cryptography
• Future directions and evolving threats