MOOC on Cybersecurity

The University of Adelaide is offering a new MOOC on “Cyberwar, Surveillance and Security.” Here’s a teaser video. I was interviewed for the class, and make a brief appearance in the teaser.

Tags: cybersecurity, privacy, Schneier news, security education, surveillance, videos

Posted on May 28, 2015 at 7:19 AM • 10 Comments

Comments

Winter • May 28, 2015 8:09 AM

Renn Gade wants to collect dots to connect them. He actually says that.

I think I will sit down for a while to let that sink in.

wiredog • May 28, 2015 10:08 AM

MOOCs for the mooks?

Zenzero • May 28, 2015 10:17 AM

This one does look interesting and is only on week 2 so not to late for people to engage in it.

@ Bruce Schneier

Do you have any plans for creating or taking an active part in a future MOOC?

Start Date • May 28, 2015 12:04 PM

It says that it starts on May 21, 2015.

Is that right?

Georg Kokte • May 28, 2015 2:09 PM

@Winter

What really baffles me is that he says the real difficulty is in collecting aforementioned dots. As opposed to, you know, doing the actual intelligence work in connecting them.

rgaff • May 28, 2015 3:55 PM

@ Georg Kokte

That’s because what he’s saying has no basis in reality, it’s a puff piece carefully crafted to elicit a desired response from the hearers. You’re supposed to go, “oh! it’s so hard to collect data? I must therefore make it easier for you to collect data, so terrorists don’t kill off all my children tomorrow!”

So therefore, reading between the lines, what he’s really afraid of is exactly what’s happening: a large scale resistance to him having whatever unlimited power he wants, it even “infects” some of congress and some courts, of all the nerve! He’s trying to counteract that with this prepared quote.

When living under totalitarian regimes, we all need to learn to read between the lines. Don’t listen to what’s actually being said, think about why it’s being said, to learn the greater truth. People used to living under cruel dictatorships have been doing this for many years, it’s not that hard.

Georg Kokte • May 28, 2015 5:30 PM

@rgaff

I can’t help but think that in his mind he might be actually convinced that what he says is true, and if only people would stop whining about old-fashioned stuff such as privacy his job would be that much easier. But those in power (any kind of power) seldom have the same views and priorities of those who under that power must live.

Back on topic, if anybody has any other reccomendations on MOOCs about cybersecurity, maybe with a more technical knack, i’d be very interested.

rgaff • May 28, 2015 5:51 PM

@ Georg Kokte

Indeed, it’s quite easy for the human mind to convince itself of things that have no basis in reality. We must all watch diligently for this in ourselves, and the best we can for each other too.

It’s also easy to convince oneself that the truth basically doesn’t matter just “the greater good.” And of course, having absolute control over you is greater good, otherwise it would just be chaos! It’s just bringing order and perfection to an otherwise dangerous world! This is how power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

trebla • May 29, 2015 8:29 AM

I signed up. The first week can be finished in an hour or two. Pretty basic. The course is on week 2 now so it is not too late to sign up.

TrebleBass • May 29, 2015 11:10 AM

Thanks trebla for comment, did checked out yesterday but thouht I was too late; going over now. Thanks!

MOOC on Cybersecurity

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