Protect Your Initiatives: Learn Ethical Hacking Skills with a Self-Paced Course by KTU and the Austrian Centre for Peace
Funded by the augMENTOR Project

FREE ONLINE COURSE

 By Nathan Coyle, Austrian Centre for Peace & Rasa Kasperienė, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania

The world around us is rapidly evolving into a digital landscape, touching every aspect of our lives. From how we conduct daily tasks like shopping and paying bills to how we collaborate in our work, technology has become integral. However, for peacebuilders, agility in our approach isn’t just a convenience—it’s a necessity. With so many variables to consider to ensure our work is effective, especially in regions where our support is needed most, and with the sensitive data we handle, online security becomes paramount.

In today’s interconnected world, people involved in peace related efforts, including officers, students, researchers, and volunteers, rely heavily on digital tools to connect, collaborate, and drive positive change. Just as we secure our physical spaces with locks and alarms, safeguarding our virtual spaces is equally crucial. Whether coordinating projects, sharing sensitive information, or communicating with partners, ensuring the security of our online presence is fundamental. It’s about safeguarding our efforts from cyber threats and preserving the trust we’ve built within communities. Think of it as fortifying our digital home base—a shield against potential disruptions that could impede our vital work in spreading peace and hope globally.

Recognizing the evolving landscape where conflicts transcend physical boundaries into the digital realm, the European Union, through its augMENTOR project, is taking proactive steps. We’re thrilled to introduce „Ethical Hacking for Peace,“ a new self-paced online course aimed at addressing these challenges and providing valuable learning opportunities.

This free online course, funded by the EU and facilitated by Kaunas University of Technology in collaboration with the Austrian Centre for Peace and the European Security Defense College, is tailored for watchdogs, NGOs, peacebuilders, and conflict prevention professionals. Regardless of your technical background, this course equips you with the tools and knowledge to defend against cyber threats and safeguard your digital initiatives.

Ethical hacking, also known as penetration testing, is about proactively identifying and fixing cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Our „Ethical Hacking for Peace“ course emphasizes using these skills to safeguard against cyber threats, contributing to a safer digital world. It’s not just about being a hacker—it’s about understanding and mitigating risks to promote peace and stability online.

Over eight weeks, starting in March 2023, participants will delve into the fundamentals of cybersecurity, exploring everything from antivirus essentials to the intricacies of phishing emails. Through self-paced modules, you’ll gain insights into the methodologies of ethical hackers, learning to identify vulnerabilities within systems and fortify your digital defenses.

As you progress, you will gain cybersecurity and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques, gaining practical skills for navigating the digital landscape. Explore Web Fundamentals, Advanced OSINT Techniques & Tools, and Python Essentials for OSINT, unlocking a skill set that significantly contributes to peace and security efforts.

But don’t worry if you’re new to this—this course is designed for everyone and gamified to make it fun, from beginners to those more experienced online. Each week covers essential topics which we expect will only take 4 hours per week, building your skills step by step:

Week 1: Introduction to Try Hack Me Platform
What is it: Try Hack Me is a platform designed to help you learn about cybersecurity through interactive challenges, rooms, and tutorials.
Why it’s important: Getting familiar with this platform ensures you can effectively navigate and use its resources for hands-on learning experiences.
What you will learn: You’ll start with the basics, learning how to move around Try Hack Me, understanding tutorials, and setting up OpenVPN for secure connections to virtual environments.

Week 2: Introduction to Antivirus and Security Awareness
What it covers: This week introduces antivirus software, which helps protect your devices from harmful software, and raises awareness about common security risks.
Importance: Antivirus software is like a shield for your devices, while security awareness helps you recognize and avoid potential online threats.
What you will learn: You’ll get familiar with antivirus programs, understand common security risks, and learn strategies for keeping yourself safe online.

Week 3: Phishing Emails and Common Attacks
What are phishing emails: Phishing emails are tricky messages designed to get you to reveal sensitive information, like passwords or financial details.
Importance: Learning to spot phishing emails is crucial for keeping your data safe and avoiding scams that could lead to identity theft or financial loss.
What you will learn: You’ll learn how to recognize phishing emails, understand common tricks used by scammers, and pick up strategies to protect yourself and your organization.

Week 4: Networking Fundamentals
What it covers: This week gives you a basic understanding of how the internet works, including how websites function, the HTTP protocol, the DNS system, and general networking concepts.
Importance: Knowing how data moves around the internet is like understanding the roads and highways—it’s essential for staying safe online.
What you will learn: You’ll learn the basics of websites, how HTTP works, what DNS does, and fundamental networking concepts like IP addresses and routers.

Week 5: Browsing for Security: OSINT & Web App Hacking
What it covers: This week explores techniques for gathering information from open sources, principles of web application security, and tools for safer browsing.
Importance: Learning these skills helps you gather information about potential threats and protect against attacks targeting web applications.
What you will learn: You’ll discover ways to gather intelligence online, secure web applications against common vulnerabilities, and use tools to browse the web safely.

Week 6: Web Fundamentals & Security
What it covers: This week dives deeper into web application security, helping you understand and protect against common vulnerabilities.
Importance: Web security is crucial for protecting against cyberattacks that target web applications, which are often the main focus for hackers.
What you will learn: You’ll learn about web application security principles, common vulnerabilities, and techniques for securing web applications against attacks.

Week 7: Advanced OSINT Techniques & Tools
What it covers: This week explores advanced techniques and tools for gathering intelligence from various sources, like social media and the dark web.
Importance: Advanced OSINT skills are essential for conducting thorough investigations and staying ahead of potential threats.
What you will learn: You’ll learn advanced search techniques, how to use social media for intelligence gathering, geolocation methods, and techniques for accessing the dark web.

Week 8: Python Essentials for OSINT
What it covers: This week introduces you to the basics of the Python programming language and its application in automating tasks and conducting OSINT activities.
Importance: Python skills can help you automate tasks, analyze data, and develop custom tools for OSINT purposes, making your work more efficient.
What you will learn: You’ll learn the basics of Python programming, practice coding exercises, learn about regular expressions for pattern matching, and discover how to use Python for OSINT tasks.

Each week, you’ll gain practical skills and insights to enhance your cybersecurity capabilities. From understanding the basics of networking to mastering advanced OSINT techniques, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the digital landscape and protect your projects and team members.

Upon completion, you can evidence your training with a certified certificate from Kaunas University of Technology, supported by the Austrian Centre for Peace and the European Security Defense College, funded by the European Union as part of the augMENTOR project.

Course start date: 2024 March 18
Course end date: 2024 May 18
It should take you 6 weeks to complete (maximum 2 hours per week).

Places are limited and the course starts on 18th of March 2024, if you are interested, we encourage you to sign up HERE as soon as you can.