# Phishing and Social Engineering Defense Course

Canonical URL: <https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/phishing-and-social-engineering-defense>

## Overview

Federal agencies are obligated under 5 C.F.R. § 930.301 to deliver security awareness training both at onboarding and on a recurring basis, and this introductory course is designed to fulfill that mandate outright rather than to supplement something else that does. The curriculum spans the complete landscape of contemporary social engineering: alongside phishing, spear-phishing, whaling, and business email compromise, it treats SMS-based attacks, voice-based attacks including AI-generated voice deepfakes, QR code exploitation, pretexting, tailgating, badge cloning, and USB drop attacks.

The training also links social engineering awareness with insider threat warning signs, given that the two categories flow through overlapping reporting pathways. Participants examine six to eight true-to-life artifacts — emails, text messages, and voicemail transcripts — some genuine and some hostile, and render a judgment on each. The immediate-feedback answer key devotes most of its explanation to the borderline examples, since that's precisely where actual breaches take root.

## What you'll learn

- Explain the federal legal and policy basis for security awareness training, and your own responsibility for protecting government systems
- Identify the major phishing categories and social engineering techniques across every channel attackers use
- Recognize channel-specific red flags and apply a structured verification checklist before clicking, replying, or acting
- Apply a report-and-verify procedure, including who to notify and how quickly
- Describe how phishing-resistant multifactor authentication backs up individual vigilance
- Demonstrate proficiency through a scored knowledge check and a phishing-triage exercise

## Instructors

### Wes Bryan — Instructor

Wes Bryan resides in Gainesville, Florida, and has built his career around technology, education, and helping others understand complex subjects. He values continuous learning, clear communication, and practical problem-solving. Outside of work, Wesley enjoys running, hiking, fishing, and spending time outdoors. He also has a strong interest in music and literature, enjoys reading both fiction and nonfiction, as well as playing guitar.

### Chuck Moore — Instructor

With more than 25 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity, Chuck has built a career on a strong foundation in security, networking, help desk operations, and technical training. He has helped organizations strengthen their security posture by identifying vulnerabilities, conducting threat assessments, implementing security controls, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Combining extensive technical expertise with a passion for education, Chuck equips professionals with the knowledge and practical skills needed to recognize risks, risks and respond effectively.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $449