Course details may be subject to change.
You will develop an understanding of cyber threats, hazards, risks, controls, measures and mitigations to protect organisations systems and people. You will develop and apply practical knowledge of information security to deliver solutions that fulfil an organisation’s requirements.
This apprenticeship programme includes 80% work related learning and 20% off the job training.
Working patterns may vary in accordance with employer needs and along with college attendance day, will be confirmed at the start of your apprenticeship.
Entry Criteria
Your employer is likely to set the selection criteria, however this is likely to include:
A-Levels A Level 3 full-time or apprenticeship qualification Relevant experience And/or an aptitude test with a focus on functional maths. Standard Entry criteria: 4 GCSE passes at grade 4/C or above, normally including maths & English (or equivalent qualifications e.g. BTEC Level 2 Diploma with maths and English Functional Skills at Level 2) or a commitment to study GCSE maths and English alongside the programme. International applicants require a minimum 5.5 IELTS in each band All applicants must be interviewed by the curriculum team (international applicants via internet (e.g. Skype). 48 UCAS points (or you could hold a combination of qualifications which show you can be successful on this programme) A personal statement Attend a successful interview with two members of the curriculum team Participation in induction activities to assess standard of academic writing in English. Non-standard entry criteria: Evidence of relevant experience which demonstrate you can be successful on this programme A personal statement must be provided Attend a successful interview with two members of the curriculum team Participation in induction activities to assess standard of academic writing in English Participation in basic and key skills builder (BKSB) assessments to establish level of maths, English and ICT skills (applicable where no formal qualifications in computing and/or IT related subjects and/or work experience in a computing or IT related job role can be evidenced) A commitment to study GCSE maths and English alongside the programme if needed (or a minimum 5.5 IELTS in each band for international applicants).
Additional Costs
We ask all students to contribute to optional trips and visits. We also recommend that you buy texts to support learning.
What are the next steps?
You will be interviewed by the curriculum team, please bring relevant qualifications to date and a printed copy of your personal statement. A standard set of questions will be asked to help us learn about your motivation for the course and career aspirations.
You will have an opportunity to ask questions and receive a tour of the facilities.
Study Aims
As a Cyber Security Technologist, you will develop an understanding of cyber threats, hazards, risks, controls, measures and mitigations to protect organisations systems and people.
If you choose to focus on the technical side, you will work on areas such as security design & architecture, security testing, investigations & response.If you decide to focus on the risk analysis side, you will explore areas such as operations, risk, governance & compliance. You will work to achieve required security outcomes in a legal and regulatory context in all parts of the economy. You will develop and apply practical knowledge of information security to deliver solutions that fulfil an organisation’s requirements.
This higher apprenticeship has been mapped to the Cyber Security Technologist Apprenticeship Standard and includes a recognised Level 5 (New College Durham Foundation Degree in Cyber Security) qualification in addition to the work based learning competencies that will be achieved in the work place.
You will attend college on a day-release basis while employed and working as a higher apprentice.
Modules Studied
Technical Competencies:
- Threats, hazards, risks and intelligence
- Developing and using a security case
- Organisational context
- Design, build and test a network
- Analysing a security case
- Structured and reasoned implementation of security in a network.
- Understands the basics of cyber security
- Understands the basics of networks
- Understands how to build a security case
- Understands how cyber security technology components are typically deployed
- Understands the basics of cryptography.
Teaching and Assessment
This course combines work-based learning with theoretical learning at college one day per week. On Programme AssessmentTechnical knowledge and understanding is assessed on programme through a combination of Ofqual-regulated Knowledge Modules and specified vendor and professional qualifications. These must be passed before the end point assessment can take place.
You will have access to a wide variety of resources and course related materials on our online learning system. Your college based technical certificate will include soft skills and independent study. The diploma is equivalent in size to two A-Levels. You will undertake eight units, six of which are mandatory. Four units are assessed externally, one by written exam, the remaining units are assessed internally by assignment.
End Point Assessment
The final end point assessment is completed in the last few months of the apprenticeship. It is based on:
- A portfolio – produced towards the end of the apprenticeship, containing evidence from real work projects which have been completed during the apprenticeship, usually towards the end, and which, taken together, cover the totality of the standard, and which is assessed as part of the end point assessment.
- A project - giving the apprentice the opportunity to undertake a business-related project over a one-week period away from the day to day workplace.
- An employer reference - a structured interview with an assessor - exploring what has been produced in the portfolio and the project as well as looking at how it has been produced.
Industry Links
Working with a local employer four days per week means you will develop your skills in a real working environment as required by the apprenticeship standard.
Placement
Your problem solving approach to computing will be enhanced with work related learning to develop your knowledge, skills and behaviours in line with this highly technical industry.You will develop your skills with your employer, in a real working environment, four days a week.
What else?
Professional Body Registration - British Computer Society Membership
You could progress to the BSc (Hons) Digital Technology Solutions (Top-up) degree apprenticeship on successful completion of the Foundation Degree Higher Apprenticeship.
