MSC 5707 Defenders vs. Attackers - Bridging Perspectives
Students on this course embark on a dynamic exploration of cybersecurity where defenders and attackers converge. The course provides a holistic understanding of the hacker's and defender's mindset, covering MITRE - ATT&CK (Adversarial Tactics, Techniques, and Common Knowledge) framework, penetration testing, threat hunting, and attacks and countermeasures. Use of NIST Cybersecurity Framework will be emphasized. Students engage in hands-on simulations with red, blue, and purple teams, emphasizing collaboration and information sharing. The curriculum includes proactive threat hunting, automation in defensive solutions, and collaborative efforts to enhance security postures. The course also examines the role of AI and GenAI in both offensive and defensive cybersecurity strategies. Students will explore how AI is used in automated penetration testing and finding vulnerabilities, AI-driven threat detection, adversarial AI techniques, and AI-powered deception technologies. By understanding how attackers and defenders leverage AI, students gain deeper insights into emerging cybersecurity challenges and how to build more adaptive and resilient security postures.