Information Security II
Tutor: Jonathan Johnson
Email: Jonathan.Johnson@Symphero.mn.org
Length: 2nd Semester Class Period: Thursday, period 1 (not offered 2019-20)
Description: Concepts covered in Information Security I will be used to evaluate and improve the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of various computer assets from laptops and WiFi Access Points to Internet sites and cloud-hosted services. The goals of Information Security II include those of the introductory class (maintaining godliness, personal liberty, privacy, and safety), plus some new challenges:

  1. Adopting the mindset of a true security expert: recognizing potential security vulnerabilities in how things work
  2. Understanding the role of security governance and policies
  3. Applying technical knowledge to implement security concepts covered in the introductory class, including system hardening, creating and restoring backups, using public key infrastructure (PKI) and secure email, testing network security, administration of virtual private networks (VPNs), and performing forensic analysis
  4. Studying examples of software vulnerabilities and how they are exploited
  5. Becoming a security practitioner that benefits others

Tutor: Jonathan Johnson is an IT professional with over 20 years of experience, a homeschooling father of seven, and an unabashed “geek.” He earned his B.A. in Computer Science from Carleton College in 1991, and he has since worked for small, mid-sized, and Fortune 500 businesses in addition to operating his own independent consulting company. His information security know-how has accumulated through experience in software development and quality assurance, system and network administration, IT service management, monitoring, and security training. He is currently pursuing security industry certification; he enjoys reading, bird watching, geocaching, and observing cultural technology trends; as a disciple-maker, he hopes his skills as an open source technologist will open doors for both local and international ministry opportunities.

Cost: TBD
Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: Information Security I and the maturity to use powerful tools exclusively for the common good
Homework: 3-5 hours per week
Text: None (all material will be in an electronic format)
Supplies:$5 for required bootable DVD containing free, open source software tools