Build cybersecurity foundations across networking, security tools, identity, data protection, ethical hacking, digital forensics, secure coding and SOC awareness.
Build a practical entry point into cybersecurity. This 18-week beginner programme combines technical awareness, risk thinking and a simulated security-operations exercise.
What you will develop
- Explore cybersecurity threats, networking essentials and introductory Microsoft 365/Azure security and identity concepts.
- Use Wireshark, Splunk, Nmap and Kali Linux at an introductory level in controlled learning environments.
- Capture requirements and risks through business-analysis fundamentals, alongside data-protection awareness.
- Develop ethical-hacking, digital-forensics and secure-coding awareness with clear authorisation and scope.
- Explore AI-assisted threat detection and verify findings before reporting or acting on them.
Practical work
Complete a simulated Security Operations Centre monitoring exercise. Interpret alerts and supporting evidence, record observations and communicate findings and escalation recommendations.
Career directions
Explore trainee cybersecurity, junior security/SOC support, cyber-focused technical support and junior risk/compliance opportunities. Employers may require further technical experience and specific qualifications.
UK salary and contract-rate guide
Evidence reviewed: 6 October 2026. Named-role examples provide context for career progression.
The National Careers Service cyber intelligence officer profile spans £25,000 starter to £50,000 experienced a year. This related occupation focuses on threat intelligence; it is whole-career context, not a junior SOC salary range or an immediate post-course expectation.
Explore the cyber intelligence officer career and salary profile
Junior-specific contract evidence remains limited. Experienced contractor benchmarks should not be treated as entry-level expectations.
Salary and contract-rate figures are indicative UK market ranges based on publicly available evidence reviewed at the stated date. Actual earnings vary according to experience, location, employer, sector, qualifications, responsibilities and employment type. Course completion does not guarantee employment, promotion or a particular level of earnings.
Mentoring and career support
Mentoring connects technical learning with practical development and professional evidence. Your programme includes six months of job-search support and three months of in-role support. Discuss the arrangements and starting dates with our team, including CV, LinkedIn and interview preparation. Employment is not guaranteed.
Certification and assessment information
Discuss CompTIA Security+ preparation and introductory CCNA networking topics. Networking fundamentals alone do not cover the complete CCNA examination. Agree the provider and assessment for any GDPR awareness certificate.
Check the CompTIA-issued Security+ credential; Explore official Cisco CCNA requirements
Confirm the exact examination version, preparation coverage, eligibility, examination access, additional costs and renewal arrangements before enrolment. RDE completion and vendor certification are distinct. Course completion does not guarantee an examination pass or satisfy professional experience requirements.
Your next step
Register your interest to discuss your experience, starting point, current delivery arrangements, tools and software access, assessment, certification options, fees and any available funding. Confirm the current intake and support arrangements before making a commitment.