CIS1531 AI SECURITY OPERATIONS
3 Credit Hours
Student Level:
This course is open to students on the college level in either the Freshman or Sophomore year.
Catalog Description:
CIS1531 - AI Security Operations (3 hrs.)
This course introduces students to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques and tools within modern cybersecurity operations. Emphasizing applied, operations‑focused practices, students will examine how AI supports security monitoring, alert correlation, incident detection, and response workflows within enterprise environments. Through hands‑on activities and real‑world scenarios, learners will explore AI‑enhanced security operations, including log analysis, anomaly detection, automated triage, and decision support. The course also examines ethical considerations, limitations, and risks associated with the operational use of AI in cybersecurity contexts.
KRSN: n/a
Course Classification: Lecture
Prerequisites:
None
Controlling Purpose:
This course prepares students to understand and apply artificial intelligence within cybersecurity operations environments. Focusing on security operations center (SOC) concepts and operational workflows, students learn how AI technologies assist in security monitoring, alert prioritization, incident response, and threat analysis. Through applied learning and ethical evaluation, the course equips students with practical skills and knowledge to support AI‑assisted decision‑making and operational efficiency in cybersecurity roles.
Learner Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, the student will have the ability to explain the role of artificial intelligence in modern cybersecurity operations and operational security environments. The student will describe how AI technologies support threat detection, alert correlation, and incident response workflows, and analyze security events, alerts, and operational data using AI‑assisted techniques to support incident triage and investigation. Through applied scenarios, the student will apply AI‑enabled tools and methodologies to improve efficiency and accuracy within cybersecurity operations while evaluating limitations, risks, and ethical considerations associated with the operational use of AI. The student will demonstrate responsible and informed decision‑making when integrating AI into security operations and incident response activities.
Unit Outcomes for Criterion Based Evaluation:
The following outline defines the minimum core content not including the final examination period. Instructors may add other material as time allows.
UNIT 1: Introduction to AI in Cybersecurity Operations
Outcomes: Students will develop a foundational understanding of cybersecurity operations and the role of AI in supporting these environments. Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Describe common cybersecurity operations functions and workflows used to monitor and protect information systems.
- Explain basic artificial intelligence concepts as they relate to cybersecurity operations.
- Identify operational cybersecurity challenges addressed through AI‑assisted monitoring and analysis.
- Discuss ethical and operational considerations associated with the use of AI in cybersecurity environments.
UNIT 2: AI‑Assisted Threat Detection and Monitoring
Outcomes: Students will explore how AI enhances monitoring and threat detection processes. Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Explain AI‑driven anomaly detection and behavioral analysis concepts.
- Identify how AI supports real‑time monitoring and alert generation.
- Compare traditional monitoring methods with AI‑assisted approaches.
- Interpret AI‑generated insights used in security monitoring.
UNIT 3: Alert Correlation and Incident Triage
Outcomes: Students will examine AI‑assisted alert management and triage techniques. Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Describe AI techniques used for alert correlation and prioritization.
- Analyze security alerts and events using AI‑supported classification methods.
- Apply AI‑assisted tools to streamline incident triage processes.
- Evaluate accuracy and reliability of AI‑generated alert prioritization.
UNIT 4: AI in Incident Response and Decision Support
Outcomes: Students will explore AI‑enabled support for incident response activities. Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Explain how AI assists incident response planning and execution.
- Apply AI‑generated insights to support response decisions.
- Analyze response scenarios using AI‑assisted recommendations.
- Justify a specific course of action where human judgment must override an AI-generated security recommendation.
UNIT 5: Risks, Limitations, and Ethical Use of AI in Security Operations
Outcomes: Students will evaluate ethical, practical, and operational risks associated with AI in cybersecurity. Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Identify risks such as bias, false positives, and over‑reliance on automation.
- Evaluate ethical considerations in AI‑supported cybersecurity operations.
- Discuss governance and accountability related to AI use in security environments.
- Apply responsible use guidelines to AI‑assisted security workflows.
- Analyze evidence of adversarial attacks including prompt injection, model/data poisoning, jailbreaking, and model inversion.
- Evaluate and suggest compensating controls for AI systems, such as prompt firewalls, model guardrails, and rate limiting.
- Map organizational AI use cases to global governance frameworks, specifically the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (RMF) and the EU AI Act.
UNIT 6: Integrating AI into Cybersecurity Operations
Outcomes: Students will synthesize course concepts by examining practical integration of AI into cybersecurity operations. Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Explain strategies for integrating AI tools into existing security workflows.
- Analyze operational scenarios involving AI‑assisted security processes.
- Demonstrate practical understanding of AI‑supported security operations.
- Communicate the role and value of AI in cybersecurity operational environments.
- Prepare for the CompTIA SecAI+ (CY0-001) certification by synthesizing security operations, adversarial defense, and governance objectives.
Projects Required:
Varies, refer to syllabus.
Textbook:
Contact Bookstore for current textbook.
Materials/Equipment Required:
None
Attendance Policy:
Students should adhere to the attendance policy outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.
Grading Policy:
The grading policy will be outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.
Maximum class size:
Based on classroom occupancy
Course Time Frame:
The U.S. Department of Education, Higher Learning Commission and the Kansas Board of Regents define credit hour and have specific regulations that the college must follow when developing, teaching and assessing the educational aspects of the college. A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour of credit or an equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time. The number of semester hours of credit allowed for each distance education or blended hybrid courses shall be assigned by the college based on the amount of time needed to achieve the same course outcomes in a purely face-to-face format.
Refer to the following policies on the Cowley Policies and Procedures webpage:
402.00 - Academic Code of Conduct
263.00 - Student Appeal of Course Grades
403.00 - Student Code of Conduct
Accessibility Services Program:
Cowley College, in recognition of state and federal laws, accommodates all students with a documented disability. If a student has a disability that will impact their ability to be successful in this course, please contact the Student Accessibility Coordinator for the needed accommodations.
DISCLAIMER: THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FOR THE OFFICIAL COURSE PROCEDURE CONTACT ACADEMIC AFFAIRS.
|
