Security, Terrorism and Counterterrorism (FutureLearn)

Offered by Murdoch University,
Security, Terrorism and Counterterrorism (FutureLearn)

Find out what security is and what it means to be secure, by exploring the threat of conflict, war and terrorism. Understand the global challenges posed by conflict and terrorism. Security has become an important focus in recent years, not just for governments and corporations, but for individuals.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

On this course, you’ll get an introduction to the global issues of security, conflict and terrorism. You’ll discover how to define security, what it means to be secure, and how security threats are dealt with.
You’ll learn about the instruments of security, such as weapons and technology, and identify themes in national and international security.
You’ll explore the causes of terrorism and counter-terrorism, and the role of international organisations and world peace.

What topics will you cover?

  • Concept of security
  • Terminology used in security studies
  • Threats to security
  • How conflict has changed
  • Drivers of conflict
  • Conflict and global politics
  • Characteristics of political violence
  • Characteristics of terrorism
  • Responses to terrorism
  • Theories of radicalisation

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Interpret the nature of security by examining the relationship between humans, states and security threats.
  • Describe some of the key characteristics of conflict between states and non-state actors.
  • Investigate and discuss responses to conflict by the international community.
  • Identify political violence and specific characteristics of terrorist violence.
  • Report on policy implications of understanding terrorism as a form of political violence.
  • Explore the theories behind radicalisation and summarise how they influence government policy.
Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Network Security for Industry Professionals (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Queen’s University Belfast

Network Security for Industry Professionals (FutureLearn)

Explore different methods to defend, deter and detect attacks on your business’s systems, with this free network security course. Network security is of growing concern for businesses, with daily attacks occurring on internal systems. Increasingly, staff need to be more aware of network security issues, and how to protect themselves and their businesses from attack.

No sessions available
3 Weeks
Securing Digital Democracy (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Securing Digital Democracy (Coursera)

In this course, you'll learn what every citizen should know about the security risks--and future potential — of electronic voting and Internet voting. We'll take a look at the past, present, and future of election technologies and explore the various spaces intersected by voting, including computer security, human factors, public policy, and more.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to Cyber Security (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
The Open University

Introduction to Cyber Security (FutureLearn)

Discover essential cyber security knowledge and skills, and learn how you can better protect your digital life. Explore the world of cyber security and develop the skills needed to stay safe. Modern life depends on online services, so having a better understanding of cyber security threats is vital. On this course, guided by Cory Doctorow, you’ll learn how to recognise online security threats that could harm you and explore the steps you can take to minimise your risk.

Self Paced
5-12 Weeks
DDoS Attacks and Defenses (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado System

DDoS Attacks and Defenses (Coursera)

In this MOOC, you will learn the history of DDoS attacks and analyze new Mirai IoT Malware and perform source code analysis. you will be provided with a brief overview of DDoS Defense techniques. You learn an Autonomous Anti-DDoS Network called A2D2 for small/medium size organizations to deal with DDoS attacks. A2D2 uses Linux Firewall Rate limiting and Class Based Queueing, and subnet flood detection to handle various DDoS traffic types.

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks
New Zealand History, Culture and Conflict: A Museum Perspective (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

New Zealand History, Culture and Conflict: A Museum Perspective (FutureLearn)

Discover the social history of Aotearoa New Zealand, learning how the country’s bicultural national consciousness was formed. Identify the factors that have contributed to New Zealand’s cultural identity. New Zealand’s social history is built on a foundation of exploration and colonial conflict. On this three-week course, you’ll access artefacts, treasures, and exhibitions within Te Papa Tongarewa’s collections to discover how New Zealand culture has evolved over time, identifying key historical moments that have impacted the formation of a national identity.

Self Paced
3 Weeks
Internet History, Technology, and Security (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Internet History, Technology, and Security (Coursera)

The impact of technology and networks on our lives, culture, and society continues to increase. The very fact that you can take this course from anywhere in the world requires a technological infrastructure that was designed, engineered, and built over the past sixty years. To function in an information-centric world, we need to understand the workings of network technology. This course will open up the Internet and show you how it was created, who created it and how it works. Along the way we will meet many of the innovators who developed the Internet and Web technologies that we use today.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
From State Control to Remote Control: Warfare in the 21st Century (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Bath

From State Control to Remote Control: Warfare in the 21st Century (FutureLearn)

Explore the impact and ethics of using drones, special ops units and private security firms, with this free online course. States are increasingly using remote control methods, such as drones, private military companies and special operations units, to engage in activities traditionally performed by conventional armed forces.

Self Paced
4 Weeks
Digital Shield: Cybersecurity for Data and System Protection (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad Anáhuac

Digital Shield: Cybersecurity for Data and System Protection (Coursera)

Digital Shield: Cybersecurity for Data and Systems Protection" is a course designed to provide a solid introduction to the protection of sensitive data and the infrastructure supporting various information systems. This MOOC was created in collaboration with CYBERPRO Global, a leading international provider of cyber education programs with over a decade of experience in training security personnel and delivering large-scale technological projects. Its aim is to educate participants on the fundamental concepts of information security and cybersecurity, including techniques and tactics necessary to protect information and computer systems from potential threats.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to Cybersecurity for Teachers (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Raspberry Pi Foundation,National Centre for Computing Education

Introduction to Cybersecurity for Teachers (FutureLearn)

Explore key concepts of cybersecurity to teach 14-16 year-old students with this online cybersecurity course supported by Google. Improve your students' knowledge of computer security. Teaching cybersecurity in schools is an important way to help students stay safe while using technology. On this course, teachers will be introduced to the core ideas of cybersecurity that should be taught in the classroom.

Jan 2nd 2023
3 Weeks