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Python Security – Curriculum
“From Zero to Cyber Hero – Learn Python & Build Security Tools”
Part of the Cyber School 6-Year Pathway
Target Audience: Grade 8 Students and Above (Ages 13+). This course is designed for students with no prior coding background.
Course Duration: 38 Core Sessions (1 hour each) + 10 Optional Sessions
Course Format: Fully Online, Hands-On Learning with Virtual Labs and Real-World Security Projects
About the Cyber School 6-Year Pathway
The Cyber School 6-Year Pathway takes students from curious tech users to skilled cybersecurity defenders. The Python Security course is the perfect entry point for students new to coding but eager to understand how Python powers the world of cybersecurity.
The 6 Courses in the Pathway:
- Cyber Kids (Grade 4+) – Computer literacy, internet safety, and Scratch coding.
- Programming Through Games (Minecraft) (Grade 5+) – Coding logic and problem-solving through Minecraft.
- AI Explorer (Grade 6+) – Dive into AI, machine learning, and data science.
- Cyber Rangers (Grade 7+) – Ethical hacking, forensics, and network defense.
- Python Security (Grade 8+) – Master Python and apply it to cybersecurity challenges.
- Cyber Battle Royale (Grade 9+) – Competitive CTF tournaments and advanced security projects.
Start Anytime, Learn at Your Own Pace:
- Courses are recommended to be taken chronologically, but each course stands alone—students can join based on their interests and skills.
About This Course: Python Security
This course is for absolute beginners. No coding experience? No problem. We’ll start with the basics of Python and guide students all the way to building real cybersecurity tools.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Write clean, efficient Python code.
- Understand secure coding practices to avoid common vulnerabilities.
- Build tools for password cracking, malware detection, encryption, and more.
- Integrate Python into cybersecurity tasks like network scanning and data analysis.
- Complete a final project: Build a custom cybersecurity tool from scratch.
Module 1: Python from Scratch (Sessions 1-10)
Build a strong foundation with hands-on coding lessons designed for beginners.
- Welcome to Python Security
- What is Python, and why is it so powerful in cybersecurity?
- Setting up Python and using VS Code (or Replit for browser-based coding).
- Lab: Write your first Python program – “Hello, Cyber World!”
- Variables & Data Types
- Storing information with variables, numbers, strings, and booleans.
- Lab: Build a simple calculator.
- User Input & Printing
- How to take user input and display results.
- Lab: Create a basic quiz game.
- Conditional Logic (If, Else, Elif)
- Decision-making in code.
- Lab: Make a “Guess the Number” game.
- Loops & Iteration (For & While)
- Repeating tasks and automating actions.
- Lab: Build a password strength checker.
- Functions: Writing Reusable Code
- Breaking down code into smaller, manageable pieces.
- Lab: Write a function that generates random passwords.
- Working with Lists & Dictionaries
- Storing data in lists and mapping key-value pairs.
- Lab: Create a contact book with names, emails, and phone numbers.
- Error Handling & Debugging
- How to fix bugs and make code more resilient.
- Lab: Debug a pre-built (broken) program.
- File Handling: Reading & Writing Files
- Saving data locally and reading from files.
- Lab: Build a simple note-taking app that saves files.
- CTF Challenge: Python Basics
- A mini “Capture the Flag” challenge to test skills.
- Lab: Solve puzzles using loops, lists, and logic.
Module 2: Secure Coding Practices (Sessions 11-20)
It’s not just about coding—it’s about coding safely.
- Why Secure Coding Matters
- Introduction to vulnerabilities (XSS, SQL Injection, Buffer Overflows).
- Lab: Find and fix vulnerabilities in sample Python code.
- Input Validation & Sanitization
- Protecting against malicious user input.
- Lab: Build a login system that blocks bad input.
- Password Hashing & Encryption
- Store sensitive information securely.
- Lab: Create a tool that hashes passwords using SHA-256.
- Common Security Mistakes in Python
- Hard-coded passwords, weak encryption, and more.
- Lab: Refactor insecure code to fix vulnerabilities.
- Working with APIs Safely
- Using APIs for weather data, news, etc., without exposing keys.
- Lab: Build a weather app that pulls data from an API.
- Web Scraping & Data Privacy
- How to scrape websites responsibly using BeautifulSoup.
- Lab: Scrape sports scores and store them in a local file.
- Secure Networking with Python
- Using sockets and HTTP requests safely.
- Lab: Build a simple chat room that only works over a local network.
- Working with Databases & SQL Injection Prevention
- Storing data with SQLite and protecting against SQL attacks.
- Lab: Build a simple inventory system and secure it.
- Error Logging & Monitoring
- Catching security issues before they become big problems.
- Lab: Add logging to the inventory system to track user actions.
- CTF Challenge: Secure the App
- Students patch holes in a vulnerable Python app.
- Lab: Complete tasks to make the app bulletproof.
Module 3: Python for Cybersecurity (Sessions 21-32)
Let’s use Python to build real-world cybersecurity tools.
- Network Scanning with Python
- Learn how tools like Nmap work by building your own.
- Lab: Build a port scanner that maps out a local network.
- Packet Sniffing & Wireshark Integration
- See network traffic in action.
- Lab: Write a basic packet sniffer using Scapy.
- Password Cracking (Ethically!)
- Understand brute force, dictionary attacks, and rainbow tables.
- Lab: Build a password brute-forcer for ethical use in labs.
- Malware Detection Basics
- Spot malicious code using signature-based detection.
- Lab: Build a simple tool to detect known malicious files.
- Building a Keylogger (For Educational Use Only)
- How keyloggers work and how to prevent them.
- Lab: Code a basic keylogger, then build a tool to detect it.
- Email Security & Phishing Detection
- Analyze emails for malicious links and attachments.
- Lab: Create a script that flags suspicious emails.
- Web App Security: Building & Securing a Flask App
- Create a small web app and secure it against common attacks.
- Lab: Build a to-do list app and protect it from XSS.
- Cybersecurity Automation: Scripts that Save Time
- Automate repetitive tasks like log analysis and report generation.
- Lab: Build a script that scans system logs for anomalies.
- Intro to Penetration Testing with Python
- How Python powers pen-testing tools.
- Lab: Perform a basic pen test on a simulated website.
30-32. Final Project Development: Build Your Own Security Tool
- Students design, build, and test their own cybersecurity tool.
- Example Projects:
- Password Cracking Prevention Tool
- Malware Detector
- Network Traffic Monitor
- Lab: Weekly check-ins and debugging sessions.
Module 4: The Python Security Showcase (Sessions 33-38)
Time to present, reflect, and celebrate student achievements.
- Preparing for the Presentation
- How to explain technical projects in simple terms.
- Lab: Build a slide deck for the final project.
- Testing & Debugging Marathon
- Ensure tools work as expected before the showcase.
- Lab: Students peer-review and test each other’s projects.
35-37. Python Security Expo: Student Presentations
- Live demos of cybersecurity tools built by students.
- Lab: Classmates vote on “Most Useful,” “Most Creative,” and “Most Secure” tools.
- Wrap-Up & What’s Next?
- Explore cybersecurity career paths (Pen Tester, Security Analyst, Ethical Hacker).
- Lab: Plan next steps and build a learning roadmap.
Optional Content & Enrichment (10 Extra Sessions)
- Advanced Cryptography: Dive deeper into encryption algorithms like RSA and AES.
- Web Scraping Bots: Build bots that gather data ethically.
- Dark Web Exploration: Learn how Tor works (in a safe, controlled environment).
- Steganography: Hide messages in images and learn how to extract them.
- Machine Learning for Security: Use AI to detect anomalies in data.
- Build a Password Manager: Design your own local password vault.
- Blockchain Basics: Explore how blockchain can be used in cybersecurity.
- Game Hacking (Ethically!): Explore how Python interacts with games.
- Secure API Development: Build and test secure APIs with Flask.
- Family & Friends Security Day: Invite family to test student-built tools.
Python Security takes students from absolute beginners to confident Python programmers who can build real cybersecurity tools. They’ll understand how to code safely, think like ethical hackers, and finish with a final project they can proudly showcase.
