Qualifi

Level 4 Diploma in Cyber Security

At A Glance

Course Title

Qualifi Level 4 Diploma in Cyber Security

Course Level

Diploma

Course Credits

120 Credits

Study Method

Distance Learning

Start Date

Every month

Course Duration

12 months

Awarded By

Qualifi
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Course Description

The Qualifi Level 4 Diploma in Cyber Security is a recognised UK qualification that provides a career path for learners who wish to develop their core capabilities within the cyber security and risk management sector. The qualification aims to develop learners’ cyber security skills required by organisations globally, preparing them for employment and supporting a range of senior IT and digital, data, and security roles in the workplace. It is designed for existing organisational executives and leaders who are tasked with responsibility for business resilience, information security, technology, and risk management, as well as physical safety and security of people, processes, and information.
The qualification has a total equivalence of 120 credits and is accredited at Level 4. It aims to develop learners’ abilities to contribute positively to good practice in business technology and risk management environments through effective use and combination of the knowledge and skills gained in the qualification. Additionally, the qualification provides useful generic management and leadership teaching at key points to help learners build essential support from within the business for their cyber security work.

Learning Outcomes

Learners studying for the Level 4 Diploma will be expected to develop the following skills during the programme of study:

  1. The ability to read and utilise relevant technical and security literature (including threat intelligence feeds) with a full understanding; the ability to think independently and solve potential overarching cyber security issues within a business or organisation
  2. Applying subject knowledge and understanding to address familiar and unfamiliar problems in the cyber security and digital risk management domains
  3. Recognising the moral and ethical issues of business practice and research; appreciating the need for ethical standards and professional codes of conduct, including in relation to conducting investigations, audits and incident responses
  4. An appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature of cyber security within business and service provision and wider operating environments and supply chains
  5. Capacity to give a clear and accurate account of a subject, in a mature way; engage in credible debate and dialogue both with specialists and non-specialists in relation to cybersecurity-related issues and challenges
  6. Transferable skills and knowledge – including Project Management and Incident Response – which will enable individuals to meet changing environments and risks
  7. Motivate individuals to progress to further professional development through future study or as part of their chosen career
  8. Instill and embed a sense of understanding and respect of the global nature of the cyber threat environment; as well as the criticality of respecting, anticipating and learning from diverse, international business practices and the global operating context.

Progression

Upon completing the Qualifi Level 4 Diploma in Cyber Security, you will be able to progress directly into:

Course Content

Mandatory

Cyber security breaches cause significant personal and organisational damage and pose a clear and present risk to business profitability and resilience. Forbes, the business magazine, estimates that the annual cost of cyber-crime might reach (or surpass) $2Trillion by 2019. At a ground-level, Cyber security breaches are causing business insolvencies and posing challenges to employee safety and wellbeing.

In this unit the learner will be introduced to a variety of threats and risks emanating from the cyberspace. The unit will look at various methods of attack and will use case studies to analyse various threat vectors, including Malware, Botnets and Trojans.

The unit will introduce and explain various models of measuring threats, risks and impacts. Including, those proposed and recommended by a range of information security standards published by the International Standards Organisation and US NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology). Using a well-documented ‘real-world case study’, the learner will investigate and examine the business impact of a recent mega data breach.

In this unit the learner will look at the component parts of digital communications and interoperability with IT networks, hardware, firmware and software components. The inherent insecurity of the internet will be described and discussed. What are the basics of computer science and technology? How do computers communicate with one another? How can networks communicate and how can we plan their security architecture in a more proactive and organised manner?

The second half of this unit will look at security planning and core concepts including ‘security engineering’, systems hardening and cyber resilience.

Database security concerns the use of a broad range of information security controls to protect databases (potentially including the data, the database applications or stored functions, the database systems, the database servers and the associated network links) against compromises of their confidentiality, integrity and availability. It involves various types or categories of controls, such as technical, procedural/administrative and physical. Database security is a specialist topic within the broader realms of computer security, information security and risk management.

In this unit the learner will explore security risks to database systems and mitigation techniques. Understanding the function of computer programming is essential to understanding the dark arts of ‘Black Hat Hackers’. Learners will examine (as a rolling case study) Python as a popular contemporary programming language. The symbiotic link between developments in computer programming and vulnerabilities to hacking will be examined and explored.

In this unit the learner will examine Incident Response, Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTS), and events requiring investigative techniques. Learners will identify and examine aligned business tasks and task forces including Disaster Recovery, Business Continuity Management and Crisis Management.

The unit then focuses on exploring cyber-related incident investigations, including evidential analysis gathering, logging and reporting. Learners will have the opportunity to look at case studies and assess how the approaches used could be applied into their own workplace.

Knowing how to build a cyber defence strategy, what legal tools require consideration, how policies can be written and embedded, are all vital ingredients to successful in-house cyber security practices.

In this unit the learner will bring together knowledge acquired from previous units and build on this in relation to developing plausible strategic plans, executive buy-in and legal compliance. Key questions and challenges are posed:

  • What is ‘strategy’ and what can a ‘cyber security strategy’ look like?
  • How do we achieve senior-level buy-in?
  • How do we monitor and safeguard compliance, particularly if our operations are dispersed across a multinational environment?
  • What are the key legal requirements and industry standards that can assist and enhance our cyber security strategies and practices?
Elective

In this unit the learner will look at banking and financial services in relation to cyber security threats and risks and the potential methods to mitigate and lessen organisational vulnerability to cyber security attacks. The unit is relevant to anybody who wishes to learn how to identify and plan for direct cyber-attacks on financial services architecture, including those directly employed by the sector, or learners who need to understand their own organisational financial dependencies underpinning financial systems, including payment systems.

As ‘traditional’ financial institutions, financial market platforms, and emerging cryptocurrency markets attract attacks from state and non-state cyber criminals, how can employees and companies protect their own financial infrastructure and supply chains? Case studies, including the TINBA and ZEUS trojans, will be evaluated and discussed.

In this unit the learner will look at the emerging cyber offensive and defensive strategies of nation states that reportedly engage in what is called ‘cyber war’ or ‘information warfare’.

What nation-state governments have the most advanced cyber capabilities? How might they be used to defend or attack an institution, group or infrastructure? Why is this knowledge important for cyber security practitioners based within businesses? As part of this unit learners will analyse geopolitical considerations in relation to cyber security incidents and also explore the direct, likely implications, for their business organisations, and surrounding Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), that might get caught up in widescale disruption and long-term power outage.

Study Method

The Qualifi Level 4 Diploma in Cyber Security is studied 100% online through Chestnut Education. You will be provided access to study materials, dedicated one-on-one tutoring and assignment feedback through qualified tutors.

Our online learning platform is designed to provide students with a flexible and convenient way to access high-quality education. With a vast library of study materials and resources available 24/7, students can learn at their own pace and on their own schedule.

Our experienced and knowledgeable tutors are available to answer questions, provide feedback, and offer guidance to help students succeed.

Course Fees

Please get in touch with us to get the most up-to-date course fee for the Qualifi Level 4 Diploma in Cyber Security.

Entry Requirements

The qualifications have been designed to be accessible without artificial barriers that restrict access and progression.

Your existing educational qualifications and work experience will be directly taken into account, allowing for module exemptions whenever possible. Please make an enquiry below to learn more.

Apply Now

Apply now to embark on your academic journey and unlock endless opportunities! Join our vibrant community of scholars and leaders, and pursue your passion with an internationally recognised British qualification.

Click Apply Now to start your application for the Qualifi Level 4 Diploma in Cyber Security programme today.

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