CyberScience

Cybersecurity is more than learning about attacks and defenses. It is understanding why systems fail and how to protect them.

CyberScience: Foundations for CyberOps and CyberDefense provides a structured introduction to the principles of cybersecurity. Developed from university-level teaching materials, this supplemental reference supports undergraduate coursework, independent study, and readers seeking to strengthen their understanding of computer security.

The book emphasizes foundational concepts, practical applications, and the relationship between cybersecurity operations and defensive strategies.

Topics covered include:

• Cybersecurity principles, risk assessment, and threat modeling

• Symmetric and asymmetric cryptography

• Authentication, authorization, and access control

• Malware, software vulnerabilities, and defensive techniques

• Privacy engineering and cybersecurity ethics

• Network security, social engineering, and web security

• Artificial intelligence, hardware, and cloud security

Designed to reinforce learning:

Each chapter builds upon foundational concepts through structured explanations, worked examples, real-world applications across eight industry sectors, and CyberOps and CyberDefense perspectives.

Learning resources include:

• Chapter knowledge checks and practice problems

• Capture the Flag (CTF) exercises where applicable

• Practitioner insights and key takeaways

• Worked solutions and knowledge-check answers

• Supplemental cybersecurity tools, frameworks, formulas, and companion-code references

Who is this book for?

• Undergraduate students studying cybersecurity or computer security

• Independent learners building their cybersecurity knowledge

• Instructors seeking supplemental course materials

• IT professionals and technically oriented readers reviewing security fundamentals

Whether used alongside a university course or independently, CyberScience helps readers develop a deeper understanding of cybersecurity concepts, evaluate security threats, and recognize the principles behind effective defenses.

Learn the concepts. Understand the threats. Strengthen your defenses.