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Cybersecurity for Communicators

This course provides an introduction to cybersecurity concepts, how they pertain to work practices in communication and documentation roles, and guidance on career opportunities in cybersecurity.


IMPORTANT: This is a synchronous course with six modules run in a cohort over six weeks.


Each module consists of a 60-minute recorded lecture, including downloadables for reference, and followed by a homework assignment for you to complete and upload for the day before the next module begins. Each new module will be available following completion of the current module.

The schedule for the next cohort of Cybersecurity for Communicators is as follows:


Unit 1: Wednesday 14 January 2026 at 18h00 CET
Unit 2: Wednesday 21 January 2026 at 18h00 CET
Unit 3: Wednesday 28 January 2026 at 18h00 CET
Unit 4: Wednesday 4 February 2026 at 18h00 CET
Unit 5: Wednesday 11 February 2026 at 18h00 CET
Unit 6: Wednesday 18 February 2026 at 18h00 CET


These are live Zoom sessions where participants can ask questions, get help, or join in discussions with other students. We'll provide dates and times and links at the first course meeting.

In addition to course conversations, an online forum allows participants to share ideas and ask questions. 

Before any training starts, we ensure that the course is accessible to people with disabilities, or with a special need to be taken into consideration for learning. Please contact us by email at: training@firehead.net in order to find possible adjustments we can implement together to promote the success of your learning experience.

About this course

3.5 million! That’s the estimated number of unfilled jobs globally within cybersecurity. Communicators have a unique skill set that makes them both well-suited to the field and desirable job candidates. In this course, we’ll learn the fundamentals of cybersecurity, discuss key communication skills and how they transfer to cybersecurity, identify foundational certifications and credentials, and and discover appropriate pathways to cybersecurity careers.

Who is this course for?

Communicators, writers, documentation professionals with an interest in cybersecurity.

What will you learn?

Core cybersecurity concepts and how they apply to work as communicators AND how to apply communication skills to a cybersecurity role.

How will you learn?

You'll learn through a combination of weekly lectures, readings and assignments, and discussions.
Firehead 

Course Objectives

You can expect to spend 5-6 hours weekly completing all of the elements of this course, including videos, readings, assignments, and quizzes. You'll spend 1-2 hours completing the final assessment.

The course provides a weekly live synchronous lecture and discussion through Zoom, weekly assignments, and quizzes.
The lecture will be recorded and available to the cohort.

You will be able to:

  • Develop a baseline knowledge of cybersecurity fundamentals
  • Understand cybersecurity best practices for work in communication and documentation roles
  • Identify opportunities for in cybersecurity for communication and documentation professionals

What's in this course?

  • Zoom conversations
  • content
  • activities
  • assessments
  • additional references
  • final assessment
Zoom conversations - engaging conversations in real time with the course instructor that bring the topic to life.

Content - text and graphics that allow you to read and consider a variety of topics.

Activities - real-world scenarios that provide you with an opportunity to apply what you’ve learned (scoresheets are provided so you can assess your own work upon completion).

Assessments - self-grading quizzes that assess your learning through multiple choice, multiple response, and true/false questions.

Additional references - references to related materials outside of the course to use to continue your learning.

Final Assessment - a graded exam at the end of the course recapping the topics you've learned. You must pass with 80% or higher correct answers to receive the course certifcate.

Course Prerequisites

There are no specified prerequisites for taking this course.

Requirements

To engage with the materials in this course you will need to have:
  • A strong internet connection for playing videos, downloading files, and accessing other course materials
  • An approved browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari...)
  • A PDF reader for accessing course resources
  • Office software for completing activities and downloading templates
  • Ability to open multiple file types: mp4, PDF, docx, xlsx
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Presented by

Ben Woelk

Cybersecurity and Technical Communication Professor
Ben Woelk, CISSP, CPTC, is Governance, Awareness, and Training Manager for the Information Security Office at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
He is an adjunct instructor in Cybersecurity Policy and Law, Technical Writing and Editing, and Introverts and Leadership. Ben has co-authored the Firehead foundational Modern Technical Communication courses. 
Ben is a Fellow and a past president of the Society for Technical Communication. 

Course Lessons

What People Are Saying...

"Recommended"

Ben is easy to work with and creates an inclusive learning environment where every question is valued. 
He truly listens to his students, ensuring they not only understand the material but can apply it in real-world contexts.

Melissa Closser
CPTC, SSCP, KCS v6 Practices Certified

"Very Helpful"

Ben’s course delivered exactly what I was looking for: a clear overview of key cybersecurity issues, practical tips to protect sensitive data, and actionable steps for responding to threats. It wasn’t just theory; it was real-world, immediately applicable knowledge.

Anjela Dukes
Lead Technical Writer

"Great course!"

I highly recommend Ben for his exceptional leadership and expertise in teaching Cybersecurity for Technical Communicators.
He knows both cybersecurity concepts and effective communication strategies.

Satisfied learner

Results for 2026 available end of year

Last update: 4/11/2025