This course introduces the main areas of cybersecurity and is based on the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) framework.

Students develop knowledge and practical skills in:

• Security concepts and controls

• Threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations

• Network, endpoint, application, and cloud security

• Identity and Access Management (IAM)

• Cryptography and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

• Security architecture and Zero Trust

• Security monitoring and incident response

• Risk management, governance, and compliance

This course introduces ethical hacking and shows how attackers identify and use security weaknesses in controlled lab environments.

Students develop knowledge and practical skills in:

• Red Team methodology and rules of engagement

• Reconnaissance and network enumeration

• Vulnerability discovery and validation

• Web and network attack techniques

• Password and authentication attacks

• Privilege escalation

• Active Directory security weaknesses

• Reporting findings and recommending security improvements

This course is based on Fortinet NSE 4 – FortiOS Administrator and focuses on protecting enterprise networks with FortiGate firewalls.

Students develop knowledge and practical skills in:

• FortiGate administration

• Network interfaces, routing, and firewall policies

• Network Address Translation (NAT)

• User authentication and access control

• Antivirus, web filtering, and application control

• Intrusion prevention

• SSL VPN and IPsec VPN

• Logging, monitoring, and troubleshooting

• High Availability and SD-WAN fundamentals

🎓 Certification Goal: Fortinet NSE 4 – FortiOS Administrator 

This course is based on the TryHackMe SOC Level 1 learning path and prepares students for entry-level Security Operations Center roles.

Students develop knowledge and practical skills in:

• SOC processes and alert triage

• Cyber Threat Intelligence and Indicators of Compromise

• MITRE ATT&CK

• Network traffic analysis

• Windows Event Logs and Sysmon

• SIEM searches and alert investigation

• Phishing analysis

• Incident response and digital forensics

• Threat hunting and investigation reporting

🎓 Certification Goal: Security Analyst Level 1 (SAL1)

This course is based on AWS and TryHackMe materials and focuses on securing cloud environments and software delivery processes.

Students develop knowledge and practical skills in:

• AWS shared responsibility model

• Identity and Access Management in AWS

• Cloud network, compute, and storage security

• Cloud logging and monitoring

• Common cloud misconfigurations

• DevSecOps and secure CI/CD pipelines

• SAST, DAST, dependency, and secret scanning

• Container and Infrastructure as Code security

• Cloud incident response fundamentals

🎓 Certification Goal: Preparation for AWS cloud security certifications 

How long will the course last?

The course will last for two semesters (Fall & Spring of the 2026–27 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. The number of ECTS credits depends on your academic program: Computer Science students: up to 5 ECTS per semester, Information Systems students: up to 10 ECTS per semester. It is important that cybersecurity classes are included in your curriculum.

Can I participate in only some courses or complete only one semester?

No. Selected students must complete the entire program from beginning to end, including all courses in both semesters. Partial participation is not allowed.

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