New for 2026!! This course in Cyber Security and Networks will give students a thorough understanding of cyber security threats and how networks operate, preparing them for progression to undergraduate study. It will equip students with the practical skills to audit measures used on networks to protect against cyberattacks and demonstrate how these can be improved.
The subjects that complement this qualification:
- Business
- Computer Science
- Design and Technology
- Engineering
- Information technology
- Maths
Further study at degree level including computer science, cybersecurity and digital forensics.
Apprenticeships in ICT and Cybersecurity.
External visits to companies who work within the cyber security industry.
The Examination Board for this course is Cambridge OCR.
5 GCSEs at 9 – 4 including Grade 4 English and mathematics. No need to have studied ICT or Computer Science at GCSE.
Fundamentals of cyber security.
This unit is assessed by an exam. In this unit you will learn why cyber security is important to us all and the motivations of different threat actors. You will learn what cyber security threats look like, how threats function and the steps that can be taken by individuals and organisations to protect, detect and respond to them.
Fundamentals of networks
This unit is assessed by an exam. In this unit you will learn about the fundamental concepts of networks, including different models, addressing techniques and protocols. You will also learn about the different hardware devices that are used in a network and how those devices are connected.
Preventing cyberattacks
This unit is assessed by an assignment. In this unit you will learn techniques to assess for risks to networks, devices and applications and produce risk assessments. You will learn how to audit the measures used to prevent cyberattacks, design policies that control access to systems and educate users in cyberattack prevention.
Digital forensic investigation
This unit is assessed by an assignment. In this unit you will learn about digital forensics including the processes followed when completing digital forensic investigations. You will plan digital forensic investigations and use software tools to extract evidence and present evidence ready for use in court.
