With the proliferation of internet activity and the ease of online access, individuals, companies and governments face an ever-increasing risk of the theft and misuse of their data. This course will introduce students to the myriad of ways in which private data can be captured and stored, building students’ awareness of cyber threats and data breaches, along with malware, ransomware and other means by which cyber criminals access information for profit. The importance of strong IT general and application controls, good cyber hygiene, appropriate risk mitigation procedures and adequate employee training will be discussed. Methods for securing data will be presented, including firewalls and intrusion-detection systems. Finally, students will learn about evolving regulation and the role artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing may play in the future of cybersecurity. This course also focuses on the impact of AI on the digital ecosystem and delves into topics around generative AI. It explores the hierarchy of ethical and legal considerations around AI, identifies potential business opportunities around AI, and examines the impact AI has on cybersecurity as a whole. Credits: 4