As the global digital landscape evolves, cyber threats have become one of the most significant risks to national security. The U.S. government has established rigorous standards and strategies for national cybersecurity defense to protect critical infrastructure, government systems, and the general public from cyberattacks. The National Cyber Defense (U.S. Standards), offered by The British Academy for Training and Development, is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. national cybersecurity defense strategies and frameworks. This course delves into the operational aspects of securing national cyber infrastructure, applying cybersecurity policies, and responding to emerging threats in line with U.S. standards.

The course equips participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to implement, monitor, and improve cyber defense strategies that align with national and international best practices. From understanding key cybersecurity policies to responding to incidents and enhancing coordination among national defense teams, the course provides the essential tools for defending against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

Who Should Attend?

• Cybersecurity professionals seeking in-depth knowledge of national defense mechanisms against cyber threats.
• Government officials and employees in roles related to national security, public safety, or critical infrastructure protection.
• Security experts working in both public and private sectors who are involved in designing or executing defense strategies.
• Incident response teams looking to enhance their ability to handle large-scale cyber threats at a national level.
• Cybersecurity consultants interested in advising government agencies or private organizations on securing critical infrastructure from cyberattacks.

Knowledge and Benefits:

After completing the program, participants will be able to master the following:

• To provide an in-depth understanding of the U.S. national cybersecurity defense frameworks and policies.
• To equip participants with practical knowledge on how to secure critical infrastructure, government agencies, and national systems against cyber threats.
• To develop participants’ ability to coordinate and respond effectively to national-level cyber incidents.
• To enhance the ability of participants to implement best practices in cybersecurity in line with U.S. federal guidelines and industry standards.
• To familiarize participants with advanced tools and technologies used in national defense cybersecurity operations.

• The importance of National Cyber Defense
  • The role of cybersecurity in national security.
  • Understanding the impact of cyberattacks on government infrastructure.
  • The relationship between national defense strategies and cybersecurity.
• Key U.S. Cybersecurity Frameworks and Policies
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework.
  • The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) role.
  • The Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA).
• Overview of National Critical Infrastructure Protection
  • Defining critical infrastructure and its significance.
  • The role of public-private partnerships in national defense.
  • Strategies for protecting energy, water, communications, and financial systems.

• Types of Cyber Threats
  • State-sponsored attacks and their implications for national security.
  • Cyberterrorism and the disruption of essential services.
  • Advanced persistent threats (APTs) and their evolving nature.
• Analyzing Common Cyberattack Techniques
  • Malware, phishing, and ransomware targeting government and infrastructure.
  • Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks on critical systems.
  • Insider threats and espionage.
• The Role of Cyber Intelligence in National Defense
  • Gathering actionable intelligence from open and closed sources.
  • Cyber threat hunting and threat intelligence platforms.
  • Collaborative cybersecurity intelligence sharing among agencies.

• Establishing National Cybersecurity Policies
  • The role of the government in setting cybersecurity standards and laws.
  • Developing a national cybersecurity strategy.
  • Integration of cybersecurity with national defense policies.
• Risk Assessment and Vulnerability Management
  • Methods for assessing national cyber risks.
  • Tools and techniques for vulnerability scanning and risk management.
  • Mitigation strategies to address high-priority threats.
• Cybersecurity Auditing and Compliance
  • Ensuring compliance with national cybersecurity regulations.
  • Conducting audits to assess the security posture of national systems.
  • Legal and regulatory requirements for critical infrastructure protection.

• Network Security and Firewalls
  • Advanced firewall configurations for national networks.
  • Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS) for critical infrastructure.
  • Network segmentation and defense strategies.
• Endpoint and Data Security
  • Securing devices within the national network.
  • Encryption and data protection methods for sensitive information.
  • Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for system access.
• Cloud Security for National Defense
  • Securing cloud environments hosting critical infrastructure.
  • Best practices for cloud-based systems and data storage.
  • Regulatory considerations for cloud security in government agencies.

• National-Level Cyber Incident Response
  • Developing a national incident response plan.
  • Coordinating with federal, state, and local agencies during a cyber crisis.
  • Setting up a National Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT).
• Incident Detection and Analysis
  • Real-time monitoring tools for detecting national cyber threats.
  • The role of forensics in investigating cyberattacks.
  • Techniques for identifying attack vectors and mitigating damage.
• Recovery and Continuity Planning
  • Business continuity planning for national cyber incidents.
  • Disaster recovery strategies for national infrastructure.
  • Post-incident analysis and rebuilding trust with the public.

• Public-Private Sector Cooperation
  • Fostering collaboration between government agencies and private companies.
  • The role of Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs).
  • Securing public-private partnerships in national cybersecurity defense.
• International Cooperation in Cyber Defense
  • Global cyber defense strategies and international standards.
  • Cybersecurity collaboration with foreign governments and organizations.
  • The role of the United Nations and other international bodies in cybersecurity.
• Cybersecurity Workforce Development
  • Training national cybersecurity professionals.
  • Developing cybersecurity talent for the defense sector.
  • Creating initiatives to boost national cyber defense capabilities.

• Emerging Technologies and Their Impact on National Security
  • The role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in cybersecurity defense.
  • The use of blockchain for enhancing cybersecurity.
  • Quantum computing and its future impact on encryption methods.
• Managing Cybersecurity Threats in the Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Securing IoT devices and infrastructure.
  • Addressing vulnerabilities in critical IoT systems.
  • Coordinating IoT defense strategies with national cybersecurity frameworks.
• Preparing for Future Cyber Threats
  • Anticipating new forms of cyberattacks and defense mechanisms.
  • Evolving national defense strategies to address next-generation threats.
  • Developing a proactive, adaptive cybersecurity posture.