Cyber Security Operations (Cisco)

Entry requirements

Are you eligible for this microcredential?

This microcredential is for anyone wanting to master the skills required for a career in cyber security.

All required skills and foundational knowledge are covered within this microcredential; however, it’s recommended you have a good understanding of computer technology and technical experience from a computing, IT or industry qualification.

It is essential that you’re able to access a device capable of running a virtual machine - please check this before enrolling.

Please note: From November 2021, half of the course content is duplicated with the OU module Network Security.

Is this microcredential right for you?

This microcredential is designed for professionals looking to enter the growing cyber security industry, as well as those with a background in the area who are looking to upskill.

Professionals who would benefit most from the microcredential include those working in network engineering, systems support, and IT.

Completing this microcredential will not require you to be Cisco focussed as the concepts and practices covered can be applied in many alternate professional and technical contexts.

The course has a global focus and delivers transferable skills for diverse sectors and organisations.

Months of entry

October

Course content

Develop professional skills to respond to and prevent cyberattacks and crimes

Cyber security is rapidly evolving, and professionals must keep up-to-date with the complexities of different cyber threats, as well as the different technologies under attack.

Worldwide spending on cyber security is forecasted to reach £131 billion in 2022 and projected employment for IT security analysts is predicted to grow 33% between 2020 and 2030.

On this microcredential, you’ll learn how cyber security professionals respond to an imminent, active or recent cyber threat. You’ll explore how to go about resolving attacks and how to complete legally defensible investigations of any potential cybercrime.

Prepare for the Cisco CyberOps Associate Certification exam

You’ll develop skills and knowledge in this exciting area using up-to-date experience from the internationally recognised Cisco CyberOps Associate Certification.

You’ll learn about different cybersecurity technologies, how to evaluate current, commonplace threats, how to investigate evidence from a cyber security incursion, and how different security and cryptographic techniques can affect a cyber security incursion. You will also discover how to apply legally defensible practices within an investigation.

Learn with the largest Cisco Academy in the UK

This microcredential is endorsed by Cisco Networking Academy and designed by leading experts and practitioners from The Open University’s multi award-winning Cisco ‘NetAcad’ academy.

Throughout the course you’ll take part in weekly activities to support and consolidate your learning. At the end of the course, you’ll submit an assessment which is marked and graded by academic experts from The Open University.

The assessment will require you to complete four questions, two of which draw on the results from your Cisco weekly module exams and final examinations. The third question focuses on a practical cyber security forensic investigation, and the fourth is a 1,000-word essay exploring current cyber security threats.

Launch your career in cyber security operations

Apply the skills learned in this microcredential to start your journey as a cyber security analyst, consultant, architect or engineer, or enhance your current technical role with an additional cyber security skillset.

What skills will you learn?

• Network concepts
• Security concepts
• Cryptography
• Host-based security analysis
• Security monitoring
• Attack methods
• Endpoint threat analysis and computer forensics
• Network intrusion analysis
• Incident response
• Data and event analysis
• Incident handling

What you will achieve

By the end of the microcredential, you’ll be able to...

• Explain the purpose of different cybersecurity technologies
• Evaluate current, commonplace threats in the context of a cybersecurity investigation
• Evaluate how different security and cryptographic techniques affect a cybersecurity incursion
• Investigate evidence from a cyber security incursion
• Apply legally defensible practices to a cyber security investigation

Information for international students

This course is taught fully online so is suitable to be studied anywhere in the world.

Fees and funding

NA

Assessment