Hack Lab: Your First Cybersecurity Passion Project

Taught By

Anshul Mohanty

Anshul Mohanty is a Computer Science student concentrating in Cybersecurity and Information Internetworks at Georgia Tech with a perfect 4.0 GPA and Zell-Miller Scholarship recipient. He is proficient in multiple programming languages with expertise in professional software development tools. Anshul was selected for Georgia Tech's exclusive Create-X entrepreneurship program where he designed a networking platform for cybersecurity professionals. He is an active member of GreyHat @ GT (Georgia Tech's Cybersecurity club), and he has worked on using recovery tools to gain back lost or corrupted data from attacked systems. He was also a six-year Software Engineering Captain in competitive robotics, developing web applications, AI systems, and custom software solutions.

Week by Week Curriculum

Week 1: Introduction to Cybersecurity

Learn what cybersecurity is and why it matters
Explore exciting career paths in the cybersecurity field
Set up your beginner-friendly learning environment

Week 2: Internet & Computer Basics

Understand how the internet works
Learn essential computer and networking concepts
Discover how information travels online

Week 3: Digital Safety Fundamentals

Create strong passwords and understand authentication
Learn about common online threats
Practice basic security measures everyone should know

Week 4: Introduction to Ethical Hacking

Understand what ethical hacking means
Learn about white hat vs. black hat hackers
Try your first simple security tools

Week 5: Web Security Basics

Learn how websites work
Discover common website vulnerabilities
Practice identifying basic security issues

Week 6: Project Discovery

Explore beginner-friendly cybersecurity project ideas
Choose a project that matches your interests
Create a simple plan for your project

Week 7: Project Building - Part 1

Start working on your project with guided support
Learn problem-solving techniques
Build the foundation of your security project

Week 8: Project Building - Part 2

Continue developing your project
Learn how to test your work
Troubleshoot common issues with expert help

Week 9: Finalizing Your Project

Complete and polish your cybersecurity project
Learn how to document your work professionally
Prepare for your presentation

Week 10: Presentation & Next Steps

Present your project to the class and experts
Receive your Cybersecurity Foundations Certification
Explore how to continue your cybersecurity journey