Computing and Digital Technologies

Course overview

The NPA in Cyber Security provides foundation knowledge and skills in data security, digital forensics and ethical hacking — and provides a skills pipeline into the cyber security industry.

These course is designed to raise awareness of cyber security and fill the current skills gap in this field. You will learn about improving your cyber hygiene which will enable you to identify security weakness safely, legally and ethically. You will also learn to contribute more safely to virtual communities.

Ethics and the law are fundamental aspects of this course. The aim of the award is to produce knowledgeable and skilled individuals who are aware of the potential misuses of, and unauthorised access to, computer systems but who use these competences for legal and ethical purposes.

What you will learn

• Structured contexts in which to develop knowledge and skills relevant to the use of Data Security, Digital Forensics and Ethical Hacking.
• Opportunities to deepen knowledge and practical experience of use in personal, educational, business and community contexts.
• Opportunities in which to develop key cognitive skills such as problem solving, analysis and evaluation.
• Opportunities to develop collaborative skills.
• Opportunities to develop employment skills related to National Occupational Standards.

Entry requirements

Your core skills profile should include Communications and Numeracy at level 4 and ICT at level 5, plus at least one additional level 4 computing unit

Progression

An NQ in Networking and Cyber Security at Level 6 as well as a number of other Computing Science courses at Further Education colleges. Some 14% of IT roles in the UK now comprise cyber security roles as demand rises for cyber security experts.