BSc (Hons) Cyber Security Technical Professional

In this module you will develop knowledge and skills in Computer architecture, digital logic, machine level representation of data and in testing and how to debug programs in low level language. You will subsequently be able to apply this knowledge and skill in your own context, and apply this to solve problems and recommend potential future improvements. Specifically you will develop a combination of technical competencies, professional and cognitive, academic and specific computer systems, digital logic and assembly language focused skills and knowledge.

In this module you will develop a basic knowledge of algorithms and mathematics which can then be applied in cyber security domain. Algorithms are the building block of any software and as such skills to understand, design and develop algorithms are vital for IT professionals including cyber security professionals. You will subsequently be able to apply this knowledge and skill in your own context as a cyber security technical professional.

As such you will learn relevant computational Mathematics principles, models and terminologies required to solve the real-world problems and apply these in the context of cyber security.

This module is designed to provide an introduction to the practical aspects of the development of a software application following a well-defined process and techniques. As such you will gain experience in the software development cycle, including requirement analysis, design, and implementation, and also learn to exploit implementation support technologies. Typical topics covered in the module include; software development methodologies such as waterfall, and Agile ; design tools such as Unified Modelling Language (UML) and object-oriented (OO) programming language and concepts of software testing.

The operating system acts as an interface between user, application programs and computer hardware and is therefore considered as the most important component of computer systems. It performs a variety of functions including process management, memory management, file management, resource management, and security management. This module is designed to develop your introductory knowledge and skills in Operating System Security and Server Administration. As such the module will provide an opportunity for you to develop the skills and knowledge to understand the Operating System behaviour and its functions. This will help appraise and select the features of current Operating Systems and how they are configured and integrated to provide enterprise level services. Then the concepts of operating systems security will be introduced to equip you to develop techniques that are used to secure operating systems from hijacking, malicious bugs and viruses.

In this module, you will develop an understanding of key theories, design issues and topics in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and then apply them in the context of developing usable, interactive and secure computer systems. You will also develop prototypes in accordance to key usability standards and user needs. This module will also emphasise the technical aspects of prototyping and HCI. Typical topics covered in the module include; user-centred design, the design process, prototyping, and evaluating the user experience, etc. for the needs of multiple platforms and emergent devices.

In this module you will develop self-guided skills and knowledge related to your own professional development needs, and the context in which you are working.

Cyber Security is a wide field in which professionals can find themselves working within a number of different roles and specialisms, each requiring a specific technical skillset. Professional Practice 1 is an opportunity for you to tailor the learning conducted within Level 4 of your programme towards acquiring those skills that will help you develop towards becoming a Cyber Security Technical Professional.

Working with the module academic team and your employer, you will conduct a skills analysis to identify relevant training that can be undertaken. This training can take a number of forms, be it:

• Technical training delivered within the workplace, or class environment
• Structured online learning
• A mini project
• Or, another appropriate form approved by the academic team.

Following completion of the training, the acquired skills will be focused towards a specified project or business challenge. This should result in the development of a cyber security focused system, and its subsequent analysis, taking a holistic view to include the wider human elements of cyber security, and legal and ethical issues.

This module will develop your knowledge and skills in Computer Security. You will subsequently be able to apply this knowledge and skill in your own context, and apply and analyse the implementation and recommend potential future improvements.

Specifically, the module aims to provide you with an overview of computer security techniques and fundamental knowledge of countermeasures. You will learn relevant cutting-edge computer security principles, models and terminologies require to secure modern computers.

This module is designed to develop fundamental knowledge and skills in web application and mobile security concepts. As such you will gain insights into different web and mobile security threats such as cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, session hijacking. You will also learn how to apply essential security techniques to test and protect web and mobile applications from these attacks. You will subsequently be able to apply this knowledge and skills in the design, implementation, testing and use of secure web and mobile applications and subsequently analyse their implementation and recommend potential future improvements.

This module is designed to develop your knowledge and skills in network security principles, tools and techniques to proactively secure the perimeter against adaptive threat vectors. A blended learning approach of theory and practical explications will be used throughout the delivery.

As an Apprentice you will be exposed to hands-on exercises that emulate real-life scenarios in proactive network defence, monitoring and prevent strategies and be able to make better links to your existing work experience. You will subsequently be able to apply this knowledge and skill in your own context, and analyse the implementation in order to recommend potential future improvements.

The collection and use of large and diverse data set provide opportunities to businesses and organisations to gain useful insights for strategic decision making. This module is designed to develop your fundamental knowledge and skills in big data analysis for cyber security using algorithms and statistical analysis that deal with large diverse data sets. As such you will develop the skills required for maintaining data, efficient querying and accessing the data and adding semantic interoperability to meet cyber security objectives such as investigation and building intelligence and decision making. You will subsequently be able to apply this knowledge and skill in your own context, and subsequently analyse the implementation and recommend potential future improvements.

This module is designed to develop your self-guided learning skills and knowledge and develop your own professional development needs in the context of your Degree Apprenticeship discipline and the context in which you are working. Cyber Security is a wide field in which professionals can find themselves working within a number of different roles and specialisms, each requiring a specific technical skillset. Professional Practice 2 builds on the skills developed so far to provide an opportunity for you to tailor the learning conducted within Level 5 of your programme towards acquiring those skills that will help you develop towards becoming a Cyber Security Technical Professional.

Working with the module academic team, your Skills Coach and your employer, you will conduct a skills analysis to identify relevant training that can be undertaken. This training can take a number of forms, be it:

• Technical training delivered within the workplace, or class environment
• Structured online learning
• A mini project
• Or, another appropriate form approved by the academic team.

Following completion of the training, the acquired skills will be focused towards a specified project or business challenge. This should result in the development of a cyber security focused system, and its subsequent analysis, taking a holistic view to include the wider human elements of cyber security, and legal and ethical issues.

This module is designed to develop your self-guided learning skills and knowledge and develop your own professional development needs in the context of your Degree Apprenticeship discipline and the context in which you are working. Cyber Security is a wide field in which professionals can find themselves working within a number of different roles and specialisms, each requiring a specific technical skillset. Professional Practice 2 builds on the skills developed so far to provide an opportunity for you to tailor the learning conducted within Level 5 of your programme towards acquiring those skills that will help you develop towards becoming a Cyber Security Technical Professional.

Working with the module academic team, your Skills Coach and your employer, you will conduct a skills analysis to identify relevant training that can be undertaken. This training can take a number of forms, be it:

• Technical training delivered within the workplace, or class environment
• Structured online learning
• A mini project
• Or, another appropriate form approved by the academic team.

Following completion of the training, the acquired skills will be focused towards a specified project or business challenge. This should result in the development of a cyber security focused system, and its subsequent analysis, taking a holistic view to include the wider human elements of cyber security, and legal and ethical issues.

This module is designed to develop your critical knowledge and skills in incident handling and digital investigations so as to exhibit awareness of the legal, ethical and professional implications and responsibilities for the digital investigator. As such you will learn to professionally acquire and analyse digital evidence utilising effective tools and techniques. You will subsequently be able to apply this knowledge and skill in your own context, and subsequently critically analyse the implementation and recommend potential future improvements.

This module is designed to develop your critical knowledge and skills in Information Security Management principles and techniques that underpin the management of an organisation’s information assets for which it is responsible. In doing so you will critically analyse the key concepts, theories, standards and frameworks of information security management, including risk assessment, people, resources, assets and processes to help organisations to reduce the likelihood of a data breach occurring and ways to limit their liabilities. This will enable you to evaluate an organisation’s current approach to managing information security and to advise on the design and implementation of an appropriate strategy for managing an organisation’s information assets to meet legal, regulatory, organisational and/or societal needs for information governance and security.

This module is designed to develop your critical knowledge and skills in Cyber Offensive Defence using Penetration Testing. You will subsequently be able to apply this knowledge and skill in your own context, and critically analyse its implementation, recommending potential future improvements.

Specifically you will develop a combination of technical competencies, professional and cognitive skills in Penetration Testing Methodologies & framework.

This final applied research project is designed to present your critical knowledge, academic ability and skill in the field of Cyber Security. This will take the form of an individually negotiated project. Successful completion of the project is an essential requirement for your degree award.

As such you will learn how to engage with and critically review research literature and from this to develop relevant research objectives and questions as part of a research proposal. In addition, you will learn about, and be able to evaluate, different research methodologies and project management approaches open to you to work on your final project. On the basis of this, you will be able to make justified choices of research strategy and be able to use appropriate project management tools and approaches. You will also be equipped with the practical skills needed to execute and write up a coherent piece of research relevant to your degree. Through the module, you will be made aware of the ethical principles that govern cyber security research.

Specifically you will develop a combination of competencies, professional and cognitive, academic and specific in the cyber security field in order to apply the formal method of scientific enquiry, research and reporting. In this context, you will carry out a significant investigation in discovering new problem that requires an appropriate solution to be produced.

This module is designed to develop your self-guided learning skills and knowledge and develop your own professional development needs in the context of your Degree Apprenticeship discipline and the context in which you are working. Cyber Security is a wide field in which professionals can find themselves working within a number of different roles and specialisms, each requiring a specific technical skillset. Professional Practice 3 is an opportunity for you to tailor the learning conducted within Level 6 of your programme towards acquiring those specialist skills that will help you develop towards becoming a Cyber Security Technical Professional.

Working with the module academic team and your employer, you will conduct a skills analysis to identify relevant training that can be undertaken. This training can take a number of forms, be it:

• Technical training delivered within the workplace, or class environment
• Structured online learning
• A robust research project
• Or, another appropriate form approved by the academic team.

Following completion of the training, the acquired skills will be focused towards a specified project or business challenge. This should result in the development of a cyber security focused system, and its subsequent analysis, taking a holistic view to include the wider human elements of cyber security, and legal and ethical issues.

The end-point assessment (EPA) is the culmination of your apprenticeship and gives you the opportunity to demonstrate that you have attained the skills, knowledge and behaviours set out on the Cyber Security Technical Professional standard. Passing the EPA is a requirement in order to complete the BSc (Hons) programme. There are two parts to the end-point assessment:

(a) A Practical Test (this will consists of four exercises to be assessed against the defined set of knowledge, Skills and Behaviours).

(b) A Technical Discussion (informed by a portfolio).

Prior to attempting the EPA you will have met the following requirements;

1. Passed all the other modules in the BSc (Hons) Cyber Security Technical Professional degree; and
2. the employer confirms that the apprentice is ready for the EPA and has met the knowledge, skills and behaviour requirements set out in the occupational standard; and
3. completed e-portfolio (which may be digital or online) in relation to the skills, knowledge and behaviours set out in the apprenticeship standards, on which the substance of the EPA technical discussion shall be based. The Technical Discussion is based on the Portfolio of evidence developed throughout the apprenticeship and is used to map your achievement against the apprenticeship standard. You will be provided with guidance on preparation for the EPA and the specific details of the assessment requirements; and
4. the apprentice has passed Level 2 English and maths (if not already achieved);

Full details of the EPA can be found on the apprenticeship standard website.