Are you interested in a career in cyber security and infrastructure support?
With hackers becoming increasingly sophisticated, businesses need individuals who can protect their IT systems from cyber-attacks.
The course covers the fundamentals of encryption, investigating how hackers penetrate systems, and providing strong cyber defence tactics.
You will also learn how to build and maintain computer systems, support network technologies, and develop skills in programming, database development, and web design.
By completing commercial projects set by employer partners, you will gain real-life experience and develop skills that will make you stand out in the job market.
It’s not just about the technical skills you will learn, the course also provides training on money management, job hunting, interview skills, confidence building and resilience.
The vocational course is designed to make you job-ready when you leave, so you can put what you have learned into practice in the workplace.
With relevant and high-quality work experience placements, employer talks, and commercial and vocational projects, you will gain valuable experience and make an impression on potential employers.
In a world where cyber threats are on the rise, businesses need cyber security experts to protect their infrastructure by choosing the cyber security and infrastructure support course, you will be taking the first step towards a rewarding career in this exciting and rapidly growing field.
You will complete the following commercial projects set by our employer partners:
Project 1 – Information Technology Systems
You will explore the relationships between the hardware and software that form an IT system, and the way that systems work individually and together, as well as the relationship between the user and the system.
You’ll also examine the use and functions of digital hardware devices and software and how they communicate and share information using networks, including modern online systems such as cloud computing and how employees can work remotely safely and securely.
This leads to the concept of data and how it can be protected where you will not only learn how organisations benefit from using and manipulating data but also understand the external and internal threats to data and how those threats can be mitigated against.
Finally you will examine the moral, ethical and legal issues involved in using Information Technology Systems.
Project 2 – Creating Systems to Manage Information
In developing a career in Cyber Security, a strong foundation in developing and administering database systems is vital in understanding concepts such as cloud storage and the Internet Of Things.
This externally examined unit will give you – a future Cyber Security specialist – the opportunity to apply your knowledge and understanding of database development used in the cyber security industry
Project 3 – Design and Build Interactive Websites
Web interfaces are used on a daily basis by first line support and cyber security analysts, if you want to advance your career as a cyber security expert then learning these skills will help.
Working closely with external clients you will develop a fully functional website, this will include front end and back end development. You will be using a combination of HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, PHP and MYSQLI to build this.
The use of these languages and technologies will help you to produce dynamic web applications that deliver maximum performance and usability.
Project – Business Applications of Social Media
Social media is a popular way for people to communicate and share information with friends and family. Businesses also make use of various social media platforms to interact with their customers and promote their products and services.
You will be familiar with social media for personal use, in this project you will discover how they can be used by business.
You will explore different social media platforms, the ways in which they can be used and the potential pitfalls when using them for Business use.
Businesses saw an approx. 50% increase in cybercrime in 2021. They will need to recruit specialist individual’s to help keep their data safe.
Project – Big Data
Data is the foundation of all business decisions and as such, being able to analyse data effectively is one of the most in demand skills in industry.
When exploring data modelling for Cyber Security, you will investigate the fundamentals of the decision-making process.
You will find out how using data modelling provides the computational ability to compare consequences, and determine a preferred course of action, a vital skill is analysing risk within Cyber Security.
Software Development
This project will give you transferable skills in Programming to better understand how to create a software solution.
With the skills gained you will be able to consider how to make software that is secure and develop your own program that can be used, for example, to store and manage passwords.
The programming unit is developed in partnership with companies who will give you the chance to work on live projects, giving you industry experience while you develop the knowledge and skills in programming using a range of languages.
Entry requirements:
Five GCSEs at grades 4-9 including English and maths.
Our teachers are ambitious, talented and passionate about making your experience at college the very best it can be.
They have up to date industry experience to share with you and the energy and enthusiasm to help you to get where you need to be.
The possibilities with this scheme are endless, students have been given real-life projects to work on, visited the employers at work and been given opportunities to showcase their work.
This scheme, along with our tutorial programme will help you become work ready as well as preparing you for the outside world with training on money management, help with job hunting, interviews and confidence building.
We want you to be job ready when you leave us and able to put what you have learnt into practice in the workplace.
Relevant and high quality work experience placements, employer mentoring, commercial and vocational projects will help you to do this and are an important part of your study programme.
Plus make an impression on an employer and who knows where that could lead.
You could progress into a role as IT Technical Support, Network Technician, Network Administration, Network Security, Digital Forensics or Telecoms. Past students have gained employment with The Cairn Hotel Group, HMRC, Ponteland School, Gateshead College and ITPS and progressed to universities including:
Alternatively you could progress onto an apprenticeship including:
“This course not only gave me the qualifications I needed to kick start my career, but the experience and skills too. I’m now working as an apprentice in IT Support, it’s all thanks to Gateshead College.” – Matthew O’Donnell
This course is free to those aged under 19 years old.
Most people aged 19 years and over can qualify for free or reduced price course fees and there are grants and bursaries you can apply for to help cover the costs of coming to college, depending on your circumstances.
If you already have a full level 3 qualification and are aged 19 years over, you can apply for an Advanced Learning Loan or pay the fee upfront in full and qualify for a 10% discount.
You can get more information at our enrolment events, by calling 0191 490 2246 or email us at [email protected]
Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college. We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.
To contact our dedicated Learning Support team email [email protected] or head to Live Chat
View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.