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Cybersecurity: Essential Skills and Knowledge for Employees

  • Level(s) of Study: Professional / Short course
  • Course Fee:

    Available at no cost to eligible individuals (see criteria below).

    *
  • Start Date(s): 3 November 2023.
  • Duration: Friday 3 and Friday 10 November 2023, 9am - 5pm.
  • Study Mode(s): Short course
  • Campus:
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information
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Introduction:

Please note: This course is delivered through the Enterprising Ashfield project, which is funded by the Government's Towns Fund. Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is pleased to offer free (fully funded) places on this course to support individuals and employees of businesses that are based in the towns of Kirkby-in-Ashfield and Sutton-in-Ashfield.

Cybercrime is one of the biggest threats facing organisations in today’s modern, digitally connected global environment with legal, financial, and reputational implications.

Cybercriminals are focusing more and more on targeting employees within organisations through a variety of tactics designed to leverage access to personal details or other sensitive information, which could be used to launch a cyberattack.

The increasingly complex tactics being used by cybercriminals means that employees need to be up to date when it comes to cybersecurity awareness.

This course is a practical introduction to cybersecurity within businesses, from an employee focused perspective, looking at the types of attacks that you could be a victim of including: extortion, email-based scams, vishing, Smishing, Phishing, social media scams, and fake websites.

You’ll gain a clear understanding of the potential risk factors that could lead to making poor judgements when it comes to cybersecurity and gain an insight into the psychological tactics that underlie many of the current techniques being used by cybercriminals to target individuals.

This course is ideal to help organisations effectively mitigate risks and potential threats; businesses often ignore the softer, human-side of cybersecurity where employees can be seen as the missing link in a cybersecurity context.

What you’ll study

What will you study?

On this course you will look at how the behaviour of employees has been linked to lapses in cybersecurity with examples and case studies.

You’ll focus on exploring the psychology behind online scams and discuss the potential techniques that can be used to mitigate these threats.

There will also be a discussion of the key types of cybercrime that could be used to leverage personally sensitive information from employees, as well as highlighting the importance of ensuring privacy and security on social media.

This course will be a combination of scenario-based exercises, lecture and group discussions.

During this course you will:

  • understand the key terms used when describing cybercrime
  • explore the threats you can face from cybercriminals and signs to help spot an attack
  • learn how you could be vulnerable to both offline and online attacks
  • explore how giving away small amounts of information on social media can lead to potential issues
  • consider the potential factors that can influence someone to take risks that could threaten the overall cybersecurity infrastructure of an organisation.

What will you gain?

By the end of the course, you will leave with an understanding of the key techniques cybercriminals may use to gain access to personal/sensitive data employees may have access to during their work lives.

You’ll be able to demonstrate an understanding and confidence in how you can be more effective at protecting yourselves online through effective cybersecurity hygiene processes.

On successful completion of the course, you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will further enhance your CV.

How you’re taught

This course will be based at the Summit Centre in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.

Contact hours

Fridays 3 and 10 November 2023, 9 am – 5 pm

Tutor profile: Dr Lee Hadlington

Lee is a Senior Lecturer in Cyberpsychology, and a member of the Cyberpsychology research group.

He is the current co-course leader for the MSc Cyberpsychology course at Nottingham Trent University, and his current teaching focuses on Cyberpsychology, Online Risk taking, Human Factors in Cybersecurity, Cybercrime and victimisation, Psychometrics and Research Methods.

He has worked with a number of organisations including East Midlands Police, East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), Airbus UK, ThinkingSafe UK, and Defence Science and Research Laboratory (DSTL).

He has also had extensive experience of engaging with the media, including BBC Radio 4, East Midlands Today, alongside several appearances on the BBC's The One Show and ITV’s Tonight Programme, discussing the impact smartphone use can have on our everyday attention.

Tutor profile: Dr Chloe Ryding

Chloe is a Lecturer in Psychology at Nottingham Trent University and a member of the Cyberpsychology Research Group.

Chloe’s main research areas are within Cyberpsychology, with her main interests being in social networking sites and mental health, and social networking and user behaviour online.

Chloe currently teaches on the MSc Cyberpsychology course at Nottingham Trent University, where she teaches on user behaviours on social networking sites, and the features of social networking that can contribute towards well-being outcomes.

Fees and funding

This course is available at no cost to people living or working in the Kirkby-in-Ashfield or Sutton-in-Ashfield areas. To check if your home or work postcode is eligible visit the Enterprising Ashfield eligibility checker form.

How to apply

Click to here apply.

If you have any questions about this course, you can email EnterprisingAshfield@ntu.ac.uk or call us at +44 (0)115 848 2813.