Machine learning is transforming how organisations detect cyber threats — but most security professionals lack hands-on experience building and deploying ML models. This course closes that gap, taking you from core ML concepts to practical, applied threat detection on real cybersecurity datasets.
You'll start with the foundations: model training, learning types, and measuring model accuracy. You'll also learn how attackers exploit ML systems through inference, poisoning, and adversarial input — giving you a security-first perspective from the start.
From there, you'll move into hands-on application. You'll load, preprocess, train, and test classification and regression models to identify malware, detect fraud, and analyse network traffic. You'll apply artificial neural networks to classify malware binaries and behavioural patterns. In the final section, you'll build network anomaly detection models using K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) and One-Class SVM to identify outlier traffic and distinguish normal behaviour from potential attacks.
Designed for security analysts, SOC teams, IT engineers, and data scientists entering cybersecurity. Basic cybersecurity knowledge is recommended.
Job skills taught: Machine Learning for Cybersecurity · Threat Detection · Malware Analysis · Network Anomaly Detection · ML Model Training and Evaluation · Classification and Regression Modelling · Fraud Detection · Artificial Neural Networks · Network Traffic Analysis
Features Coursera Coach, Dialogues and Role Plays - a smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) transform cyber defense by detecting patterns and responding to anomalies. This module builds a strong foundation in AI and ML for cyber security applications. You will study core machine learning concepts, including model training, learning types, and effectiveness measurement. You will also examine how attackers exploit ML systems through inference, poisoning, and adversarial input. By the end, you will understand ML's role in cyber defense, its new attack surfaces, and how to evaluate its strengths and limitations.
涵盖的内容
2个作业13个插件
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2个作业•总计30分钟
End of module quiz•15分钟
End of module practice quiz•15分钟
13个插件•总计237分钟
Overview•5分钟
Introduction•10分钟
An Industry Perspective•15分钟
Concepts and definitions of Machine Learning•2分钟
Learning tasks - classification and regression•25分钟
Accuracy of machine learning models•25分钟
Attacks on machine learning - an overview•25分钟
Inference attacks•25分钟
Adversarial input attacks•25分钟
Poisoning attacks•25分钟
Model stealing•25分钟
Summary•15分钟
References•15分钟
Machine Learning Applications in Cyber Security
第 2 单元•小时 后完成
单元详情
Machine Learning is a powerful tool combating cyber threats. This module moves beyond theory to hands-on ML techniques for cyber defense. You will identify malware, detect network traffic anomalies, and find fraud. Learn to load, preprocess, train, and test classification and regression models using practical tools. Algorithms help automate threat detection and accelerate response. By the end, you will run ML models on cyber datasets, gaining new insight and readiness.
涵盖的内容
2个作业11个插件
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2个作业•总计30分钟
End of module quiz•15分钟
End of module practice quiz•15分钟
11个插件•总计149分钟
Overview•5分钟
Introduction•1分钟
Malware analysis•10分钟
Network anomaly detection•20分钟
Deep packet inspection•5分钟
Fraud detection•5分钟
Loading, viewing and preprocessing datasets•40分钟
Training and testing a classification model•25分钟
Training and testing a regression model•25分钟
Summary•10分钟
References•3分钟
Machine Learning for Threat Detection and Network Traffic Analysis
第 3 单元•小时 后完成
单元详情
Modern cyber attacks often travel through the digital veins of an organisations, its networks. This module shows how Machine Learning identifies unusual patterns and detects hidden threats. You will study malware foundations, from binaries to behavioral types, and how ML models analyze network traffic to flag anomalies. Through practical exercises, you will work with malware datasets and apply machine learning algorithms, including artificial neural networks, to classify malicious behavior. Gain skills to create intelligent defense mechanisms that learn from evolving threats, enhancing cyber resilience.
涵盖的内容
1个作业6个插件
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1个作业•总计15分钟
End of module quiz•15分钟
6个插件•总计136分钟
Overview•1分钟
Malware binaries•10分钟
Malware types•15分钟
Malware analysis techniques•30分钟
Using machine learning•40分钟
Artificial neural networks•40分钟
Machine Learning for Network Anomaly Detection
第 4 单元•小时 后完成
单元详情
Cyber attackers mimic normal traffic. This module teaches how machine learning transforms anomaly detection, helping you spot compromise signals. You will study foundational techniques like K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) and One-Class Support Vector Machines (SVM), applying them to network logs to detect outliers and distinguish traffic. Through hands-on experimentation, gain experience building models that automatically identify abnormal network behaviors. By the end, you will use machine learning for advanced threat detection, making defenses smarter and more adaptive.
涵盖的内容
1个作业8个插件
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1个作业•总计15分钟
End of module quiz•15分钟
8个插件•总计146分钟
Overview•1分钟
Network anomaly detection•5分钟
K nearest neighbours•30分钟
K nearest neighbours for outlier detection•20分钟
Network anomaly detection using machine learning•15分钟
Outlier detection using K nearest neighbours•15分钟
Outlier detection using one class SVM•15分钟
Detecting normal and attack traffic•45分钟
Mini Project
第 5 单元•小时 后完成
单元详情
In this module, you will build and evaluate an ML model to detect anomalous network traffic and classify malicious binaries. The project allows you to build a comprehensive portfolio artefacts demonstrating your end-to-end capabilities.
涵盖的内容
2个作业
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2个作业•总计135分钟
Project: ML Model Development for Threat Detection•120分钟
Macquarie is ranked among the top one per cent of universities in the world, and with a 5-star QS rating, we are recognised for producing graduates who are among the most sought-after professionals in the world. Since our foundation 54 years ago, we have aspired to be a different type of university: one focused on fostering collaboration between students, academics, industry and society.
No prior machine learning experience is required. The course builds your ML foundation from the ground up, starting with core concepts before moving to hands-on model building. Basic cybersecurity knowledge is recommended so you can connect the technical content to real-world security scenarios.
What tools and techniques will I use in this course?
You'll work with classification and regression models, artificial neural networks, K-Nearest Neighbours (KNN), and One-Class Support Vector Machines (SVM), all applied to real cybersecurity datasets including malware samples and network logs.
What career roles does this course prepare me for?
This course builds job-relevant skills for roles that combine security operations with data-driven threat detection. It is particularly valuable for Security Analyst, SOC Analyst, and Threat Intelligence Analyst roles, where ML-powered tooling is increasingly used to automate detection and triage. It also supports Network Security Engineer roles by developing practical network anomaly detection skills. For Data Scientists and ML Engineers transitioning into cybersecurity, this course provides the security context needed to apply existing technical skills in a defence environment.
How does this course fit into the AI-Powered Cybersecurity Specialization?
This is the first course in the Specialization. It builds the ML foundation you'll need for the second course — which covers how ML systems are attacked and defended — and gives you the threat detection context that underpins the operational incident response skills in the third course.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.