AP Cybersecurity Complete Course Guide
🔐 AP Cybersecurity
Complete Course Guide & Exam Preparation
Aligned with College Board 2026-27 Curriculum
AP Career Kickstart ProgramWelcome to AP Cybersecurity
AP Cybersecurity is a yearlong course that provides a broad introduction to the field of cybersecurity. You'll learn about common threats and vulnerabilities, how they combine to create risk, and how individuals and organizations manage and mitigate that risk through defense-in-depth strategies.
This comprehensive guide covers all five units of the AP Cybersecurity curriculum, complete with detailed explanations, real-world scenarios, practice questions, and exam preparation strategies. Students who earn a qualifying score on the AP Cybersecurity Exam can receive college credit and a free voucher for the CompTIA Security+ certification exam.
🎯 Core Cybersecurity Skills
These four skill categories are assessed throughout the AP Cybersecurity Exam
1. Analyze Risk
Identify vulnerabilities, threats, and attack methods. Evaluate the likelihood and impact of risks to organizational assets.
2. Mitigate Risk
Implement protective and deterrent security controls. Determine layered security strategies to address vulnerabilities.
3. Detect Attacks
Implement detection methods, monitor systems, and analyze digital evidence to identify cyberattacks.
4. Collaborate
Work with others and AI tools to accomplish cybersecurity tasks and complete team objectives.
📚 Course Units
Learn about social engineering, password attacks, wireless security risks, and how AI is transforming both cyberattacks and cyber defense.
- Understanding Social Engineering
- Suspicious Wi-Fi Login Detection
- The Dangers of Public Wi-Fi
- AI-Based Cybersecurity Attacks
- Leveraging AI in Cyber Defense
Master the fundamentals of cybersecurity including risk assessment, the CIA triad, defense-in-depth, and physical security controls.
- Cyber Foundations (Risk, Threats, Controls)
- Physical Vulnerabilities and Attacks
- Protecting Physical Spaces
- Detecting Physical Attacks
Explore network attacks like ARP poisoning and DDoS, learn to configure firewalls and ACLs, and implement network segmentation strategies.
- Network Vulnerabilities and Attacks
- Wireless Security & Managerial Controls
- Network Segmentation (VLANs, DMZ)
- Firewalls and Access Control Lists
- Detecting Network Attacks (IDS/IPS/SIEM)
Understand device types from servers to IoT, learn about malware varieties, authentication mechanisms, and device hardening techniques.
- Device Types and Vulnerabilities
- Malware Types (Viruses, Worms, Ransomware)
- Authentication and Password Security
- Protecting and Hardening Devices
- Detecting Attacks on Devices
Dive into application security, cryptography fundamentals, symmetric and asymmetric encryption, hashing, and data protection strategies.
- Application & Data Vulnerabilities
- Symmetric Cryptography (AES)
- Hashing for Data Integrity
- Asymmetric Cryptography (RSA, PKI)
- Protecting Applications
- Detecting Attacks on Data & Applications
📝 AP Cybersecurity Exam Overview
The AP Cybersecurity Exam is a fully digital exam administered through Bluebook in May 2027 and beyond.
Multiple Choice Section
Questions connect to realistic job scenarios and test both knowledge and application. You'll analyze situations and choose the best security response.
Free Response Section
Questions use realistic cybersecurity artifacts including network diagrams, packet captures, log files, command line interfaces, and file directories.
Scoring & Credit
Exams are scored 1-5. Qualifying scores earn college credit and placement, plus the AP Cybersecurity Credential.
Digital Format
The exam is administered digitally through the College Board's Bluebook application. Practice with the app before exam day.
🏆 Industry Certification Pathway
Students who earn a qualifying score on the AP Cybersecurity Exam receive a free voucher for additional test prep and the CompTIA Security+ certification exam—an estimated value of up to $350!
The CompTIA Security+ certification is recognized globally and validates baseline cybersecurity skills. It's often required for entry-level security positions and government cybersecurity roles.
💼 Cybersecurity Career Opportunities
Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing career fields with over 500,000 job openings in the United States alone. The skills you learn in AP Cybersecurity prepare you for roles including:
📖 How to Use This Study Guide
This comprehensive guide is designed to help you master all AP Cybersecurity content:
- Study each unit in order - The curriculum builds on itself, with foundational concepts in earlier units
- Complete practice questions - Each unit includes multiple choice and free response practice aligned to exam format
- Review scenarios - Real-world scenarios help you apply concepts to practical situations
- Use the glossary - Key terms are highlighted and defined throughout
- Practice with artifacts - Learn to analyze network diagrams, log files, and packet captures
Each unit page includes interactive elements where you can show/hide answers to test your understanding before checking your work.