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Start your cybersecurity career with industry-recognized skills, global certifications, and real-world labs
The Cyber Security Course
The Cyber Security Course
is an intensive 25-week career preparation program designed for top-performing university students who aspire to start a career in cybersecurity.
The program combines foundational theory, industry-recognized certifications, and hands-on labs with real-world tools. Students will first complete a 14-week common core based on the CompTIA Security+ framework, followed by an 11-week specialization track in one of three in-demand domains: Network Security, SOC Analyst, or Cloud Security/DevSecOps.
🎯 Program Outcomes:
Gain a solid foundation in cybersecurity concepts, tools, and workflows
Train with CompTIA, Fortinet, AWS, and TryHackMe platforms
Specialize in a high-demand cybersecurity domain
Prepare for globally recognized certifications (Security+, FCP, SAL1)
Graduate with job-ready skills for entry-level cybersecurity roles
Program Grant
Program Grant
Students receive a cybersecurity training grant worth 1 million KZT supported by Freedom Holding Corp., which includes:
Access to advanced training platforms and labs from global vendors
Vouchers for professional certification exams
Hands-on tasks aligned with international standards
Academic Credit: Completion of the course provides an opportunity to earn up to 20 ECTS credits at SDU University.
Course Structure
Course Structure
Fundamentals of Information Security (Weeks 1–14)
Fundamentals of Information Security (Weeks 1–14)
The objective of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive foundation in cybersecurity based on the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) framework.
Students will gain knowledge in:
General security concepts
Threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations
Security architecture
Security operations
Security program management and oversight
💻 Learning Platform: CompTIA CertMaster Learn & Labs
Interactive labs in a simulated environment
Practice questions and PBQs (Performance-Based Questions)
Aligned with Security+ certification
Weekly Topics
Weekly Topics
Week 1 – Fundamentals of Security Concepts & Threat Types
Week 2 – Cryptographic Solutions & PKI
Week 3 – Identity & Access Management (IAM)
Week 4 – Network Architecture & Security Capabilities
Week 5 – Cloud & Zero Trust Architecture
Week 6 – Vulnerability Management
Week 7 – Business Continuity, Resiliency & Physical Security
Week 8 – Endpoint Security
Week 9 – Application & Cloud Security
Week 10 – Incident Response & Monitoring
Week 11 – Indicators of Malicious Activity
Week 12 – Governance, Automation & Local Compliance
Week 13 – Risk, Audits & Awareness Training
Week 14 – Final Review & Certification Preparation
Specialization Tracks (Weeks 15–25)
Specialization Tracks (Weeks 15–25)
After completing the Core Module, students select one track:
Network Security
Network Security
The Network Security Track is designed for students who want to specialize in defending enterprise networks using next-generation firewalls and security appliances, based on the Fortinet FortiGate Administrator (v7.4) curriculum.
By the end of this track, students will gain hands-on experience with FortiGate appliances in lab environments, preparing them for roles as network security engineers, security infrastructure specialists.
🎓 Certification Goal: Fortinet Certified Professional (FCP) – FortiGate Administrator
📅 Weekly Topics
Week 15 – Introduction & Core Configuration
Week 16 – Static Routing & Traffic Flow
Week 17 – User Authentication & Access Control
Week 18 – Certificates & Antivirus Protection
Week 19 – Application Control & Web Filtering
Week 20 – Remote Access with VPN (SSL/IPsec)
Week 21 – SD-WAN Fundamentals
Week 22 – Fortinet Security Fabric
Week 23 – High Availability (HA)
Week 24 – Diagnostics & Troubleshooting + Capstone Project
Week 25 – Certification Preparation
SOC Analyst
SOC Analyst
The SOC Analyst Track prepares students to become the first line of defense in a Security Operations Center (SOC). Following the TryHackMe SOC Level 1 Path, students learn how to detect, analyze, and respond to cyber threats in real-world environments.
Graduates of this track will be equipped to work as Tier 1/2 SOC Analysts, Incident Responders, or Threat Detection Specialists.
🎓 Certification Goal: Security Analyst Level 1 (SAL1)
📅 Weekly Topics
Week 15 – Intro to SOC & Cyber Defense Frameworks
Week 16 – Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI)
Week 17 – Network Security & Traffic Analysis (Snort, Zeek, Wireshark)
Week 18 – Endpoint Security Monitoring (Sysmon, Osquery, Wazuh)
Week 19 – SIEM: Splunk & ELK
Weeks 20–21 – Digital Forensics & Incident Response (DFIR)
Week 22 – Phishing & Email Threat Analysis
Week 23 – Capstone: Real-World SOC Investigation
Week 24 – SOC Simulation (Full workflow under time pressure)
Week 25 – Certification Preparation (SAL1 readiness)
Cloud Security / DevSecOps
Cloud Security / DevSecOps
The Cloud Security Track focuses on the rapidly growing field of cloud-native and DevSecOps security. Students will explore how to secure workloads in AWS, protect cloud storage and networking, and apply DevSecOps principles to modern software pipelines.
The program combines AWS Academy training with hands-on TryHackMe labs and Attacking and Defending AWS and DevSecOps paths.
By completing this track, students will be ready for roles as cloud security engineers, DevSecOps specialists.
🎓 Certification Goal: Preparation for AWS cloud security certifications
📅 Weekly Topics
Week 15 – Cloud Fundamentals & Shared Responsibility (AWS Academy)
Week 16 – Identity & Access Management (IAM)
Week 17 – Networking & Cloud Perimeter Security
Week 18 – Compute Services & Security (EC2, Lambda)
Week 19 – Cloud Storage Security (S3, EBS, Glacier)
Week 20 – Cloud Databases & IAM Misconfigurations
Week 21 – Azure Security
Week 22 – DevSecOps Fundamentals (CI/CD pipeline security)
Week 23 – Containers, Kubernetes & IaC Security
Week 24 – Capstone: Full-Stack Cloud Attack & Defense Challenge
Week 25 – Certification Preparation
Student Selection & Prerequisites
Student Selection & Prerequisites
Participation in this program is competitive. Students will be selected based on demonstrated knowledge in the following areas:
Proficiency in at least one programming language and understanding of object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts
Solid understanding of network technologies and core protocols
Familiarity with information security fundamentals
Working knowledge of SQL and relational databases
Experience with Linux systems
Application Process
Application Process
Online application form
Short technical quiz
Interview with instructors
registration
registration
The Cyber Security Course is a competitive program with limited seats.
Only 10 students will be selected for each specialization track:
Network Security
SOC Analyst
Cloud Security
Partners & Sponsors
Partners & Sponsors
General sponsor & Industry Partner
General sponsor & Industry Partner
General sponsor & Industry Partner
General sponsor & Industry Partner
Organizing University
Organizing University
Organizing Community
Organizing Community
Industry & Academic Partner
Industry & Academic Partner
Industry & Academic Partner
Industry & Academic Partner
Industry & Academic Partner
Industry & Academic Partner
Industry & Academic Partner
Industry & Academic Partner
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long will the course last?
The course will last for two semesters (Fall & Spring of the 2025–26 academic year).
How many hours and how many times a week will it be?
Classes will be held twice a week for 3 hours each.
What is the format of the course?
The course will be conducted offline at SDU University.
Can I cover subjects at the university alongside this course?
Yes. Even with the workload, you can cover up to 10 ECTS per semester. It is important that cybersecurity classes are included in your curriculum.
Is it free?
Yes. With the support of Freedom Holding Corp., each student receives a grant of 1 million KZT, which covers access to platforms, labs, and certification preparation.
Will each student be provided with a voucher?
Vouchers for professional certifications will be awarded only to students who successfully complete assignments, labs, and the final exam. Students who cannot demonstrate readiness will not receive a voucher.
Will I be able to find a job after completing the course?
Yes. The university will actively support your career development. The career center and instructors will promote graduates to partner companies and help connect them with opportunities. If you secure a job on your own, you should inform the course administration so that it can be properly coordinated and recognized.
Who can participate?
All SDU students are eligible, provided they meet the prerequisites, which include basic knowledge of:
A programming language
Databases (SQL)
Networking fundamentals
Linux systems
Information security basics
Do you have questions? Contact us!
Do you have questions? Contact us!
If you have any questions about the Cyber Security Course, feel free to reach out:
✉️ Email: cycnet@sdu.edu.kz
💬 Telegram: https://t.me/Shakhnazar_Sultan
Our team will be happy to assist you with registration, prerequisites, or program details.
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