Certificate in Cyber Security Practices

Our intensive cyber security course will boost your CV with an NCFE Accreditation. Whether you're starting or looking to sharpen your skills, we've designed a flexible learning experience that's totally free if you qualify for a funded place. Hit apply now and start your journey to safeguarding digital systems like a pro.

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Course Details:

6 weeks full-time, 11 weeks part-time

100% online or face-to-face

Career-boosting tech skills

150 hours

Level 3, Netcom Certificate of Completion, NCFE Certificate in Cyber Security Practices

Adult Skills Fund / Free Courses for Jobs

Master the fundamentals

You’ll explore threat intelligence in depth, including how to identify threat models, recognise types of malicious software and understand social engineering tactics. You’ll also cover key security testing methods, ways to reduce vulnerabilities and how to implement strong cyber security controls.

Learn industry best practices

You’ll learn how to build incident response plans and write post-mortem reports, giving you practical tools to respond effectively to security breaches. The course also dives into essential legislation, industry standards and ethical considerations that shape best practice in the field.

Skills beyond the tech

Alongside technical training, you’ll develop the professional skills needed to grow your cyber security career, from communication and project management to continuous professional development. By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to take your first steps into this fast-paced and high-demand sector.

Do you qualify for a fully funded place?

You could train for free if you meet our eligibility criteria:

  • You live in the West Midlands, Greater London or Greater Manchester 
  • You’re aged 19 or over 
  • You earn below the gross annual wage cap of £34,194 (West Midlands)/£28,860 (London)/£32,400 (Manchester) 
  • You’re not currently undertaking any other government-funded training 
  • You’re not in the UK on a student, graduate, postgraduate or sponsorship visa, or as a dependent of someone who is 

Netcom graduates landed roles at...

The curriculum

A sample of what you'll learn on our Level 3 Cyber Security course...

View the full course overview

Cyber security principles

You’ll start by exploring the fundamentals of cyber security, gaining a clear understanding of the risks and consequences of poor digital protection. Get to grips with key terminology, uncover what drives both ethical and malicious actors and examine the pros and cons of designing systems with security built in from the start.

Threat intelligence in cyber security

Develop a clear understanding of threat intelligence and how to use Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) effectively. You’ll explore the importance of reliable, trustworthy information sources, get to grips with common threat models and examine the impact of malicious software on systems and organisations.

Cyber security testing, vulnerabilities and controls

You’ll explore the most common types of testing used in cyber security and learn what steps to take once testing reveals potential risks. You’ll get to grips with how vulnerabilities are identified, what they mean and how to respond when they appear. You’ll also build your knowledge of cyber security controls and learn how to apply a basic control yourself.

Cyber security incident response

You’ll learn what makes an effective cyber security incident response plan and how to use a response checklist when things go wrong. You’ll also build the skills to create a clear, practical post-incident report, helping teams understand what happened, why it happened and how to prevent it in future.

Legislation and ethical conduct within cyber security

You’ll explore the key legislation that underpins cyber security in the UK and internationally, gaining an understanding of how laws and regulations protect data and systems. You’ll also examine the role of information security standards in shaping best practice and why ethical conduct is essential in every cyber role.

Professional skills and behaviours for cyber security

You’ll explore the behaviours, skills and standards expected in a cyber security career, from understanding security clearance levels to the types of employee screening checks employers may carry out. You’ll assess your own strengths, identify areas for growth and learn why ongoing professional development is essential in this fast-moving field.

Meet your mentors

Our expert instructors are here to guide you through the course, answer your questions and help develop your career goals. Once you’ve completed a Netcom course, our dedicated careers coaches will be on hand to help you take the next steps.

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Where could a cyber course take you?

Our Cyber Security training courses are your ticket to some seriously exciting career opportunities.

Information Security Analyst - £25,000-£35,000

Think you can outsmart cyber threats? As an Information Security Analyst, you’ll protect your company’s networks and systems by finding weak spots, setting up security policies and making sure everything complies with laws and best practices. You’ll be the first line of defence against online threats.

Incident Responder Analyst - £25,000-£35,000

If fast action is your thing, being an Incident Responder Analyst is for you. Working in a Security Operations Center (SOC), you’ll respond to cyber incidents in real time, minimise damage and come up with strategies to keep those attacks from happening again. It’s all about reacting quickly and preventing the next disaster.

Junior Forensic Analyst - £22,000-£30,000

Love solving digital mysteries? As a Junior Forensic Analyst, you’ll dive into digital investigations, analyse data from hacked systems and help prepare reports for law enforcement. You’ll be learning the ropes of forensic work under the guidance of senior analysts, gathering and analysing data to crack the case.

IT Support Apprentice - £12,000-£18,000

As an IT Support Apprentice, you’ll get real experience helping with tech problems, troubleshooting and learning about IT infrastructure. It’s the perfect start to your career, with an apprenticeship that’ll set you up for success in the IT world.

Entry level Compliance Specialist - £20,000-£28,000

Ready to help companies stay on track? As an Entry-Level Compliance Specialist, you’ll monitor how well your organisation is following regulations, spot potential risks and assist with training. Staying updated on industry trends and best practices will make you a key player in keeping everything compliant.

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Hear from the Netcom Training Alumni

"I completed the Social Media Marketing and Web Design course and I was happy with the experience Netcom offered. A special thanks to my tutor Mamie, she kept the lessons engaging and informative. She also catered to my needs and difficulties on a personal basis, especially during Ramadan, making sure that I got enough support with the course. You can really tell she enjoys teaching and made the course enjoyable during my time. Another thanks to my career coach Azra for giving me a structured plan towards employment and boosting my confidence as well. Overall, I feel like the course offers in-demand skills with support and the experience was something I will remember. I was kind of sad to click off and end the course since I enjoyed it so much. Would recommend to others. Again, a big thanks to the staff and peers at Netcom."

Aadil Rahman
23 March 2026

"I’ve just finished the IT support training course with Netcom and honestly had a really great experience. The course was easy to follow, well put together, and covered everything in a way that felt useful for real-world situations. Doug Brooks was great — really knowledgeable and easy to talk to. He always took the time to explain things clearly with helpful examples, and made the whole learning environment feel relaxed and supportive. The feedback throughout the course was really useful and helped build my confidence. The group of learners was also a big plus. Everyone got on well, and working through things together made it a lot more enjoyable. Overall, I’d definitely recommend this course to anyone looking to get into IT support or improve their skills. It’s been a really positive experience and has helped me feel more focused on my next steps."

Kez McConville
20 March 2026

"I began my course in December and have recently concluded it. The knowledge and training I have received goes far beyond what I could ever have expected/hoped for when I applied! Lessons were engaging, informative and so fun and it’s honestly been one of the best educational experiences of my life. I was trained by Mamie (honestly I could have given her a lengthy review by herself) made this experience truly come to life. She has been attentive and so kind and has restored confidence in me that I’d lost many moons ago. Throughout you can truly see that she cares about her class and giving them the best experience/opportunities available. Mamie has also shown so much support for those partaking in Ramadan which I myself don’t but it has been clear to see how comfortable she has made those who are. This is something I have NEVER seen in a classroom throughout the years. Not only has she been a star personality-wise but her experience/knowledge is off the charts and there could have been nobody better to teach what she has done. Honestly if you apply and you receive Mamie as your coach, you’re in the best hands. She’s a credit to the team and I am and have been so thankful for her throughout this experience. So strange but I’ve always been so quick to run away from education but this time it feels so sad to go. "

TAYLOR
20 March 2026

"Netcom Training is a great place to learn! Like with most things in life you get what you put in. Our career coach, Romana and trainer, Shahi were both very willing to help! My trainer, Shahi, always had an example and analogy to help us grasp concepts! With most things in life though, you really only get what you put in! So if you're willing to work hard then I definitely recommend it! We learnt CompTia Tech+, CompTia A+ core1 and core 2 and Business Processes!"

Rita
19 March 2026

"it was good experience, learn about IT Support Help desk role and what requires for the role."

Muhammad
19 March 2026

"I enjoyed how accessible this course was, and how much information had been taught within the span of 13 weeks. I now feel more confident and prepared for a role in IT and would recommend the course to beginners."

Suad Ahmed
19 March 2026

"I started this course feeling quite nervous and unsure of myself, convinced it wouldn't lead anywhere. I'm glad to say I couldn't have been more wrong. I came in with absolutely no background in I.T support and honestly didn't know where to begin. But thanks to the brilliant teaching of Shahi Wadan, I've walked away feeling genuinely confident and much more informed on the subject. I've never come across a teacher quite like Shahi — his patience, clarity and expertise made all the difference. I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to have been taught by him. I would wholeheartedly recommend Netcom to anyone looking to get into something technical or I.T related."

sv iv
19 March 2026

"I’ve had a really positive experience with my IT support training at Netcom. The whole team played a big role in making the journey smooth and supportive, and it genuinely felt like everyone was invested in our progress. A special mention to my tutor, Mr Shahi Wadan, who went above and beyond to make sure no one was left behind. He explained things clearly, stayed patient, and made the learning environment comfortable for everyone. Grateful for the experience and the support throughout 🙌"

Ifueko Dickson
19 March 2026

"TECH+, COMPTIA. IT was a good plaisure for me to complete this course. I learn more new skills in IT. It was a big experience for me. I fell more confident with IT with now. "

Ingrid
19 March 2026

"My experience with Netcom Training was very positive, especially during the IT Support course. A big part of that was thanks to Shahi, who was an excellent trainer throughout the program. Shahi demonstrated strong knowledge of IT support concepts and explained topics in a clear and structured way, making even complex ideas easy to understand. He was always patient and willing to answer questions, ensuring that everyone in the class kept up with the material. His teaching style was engaging and supportive, which created a comfortable learning environment. What stood out the most was his practical approach. He didn’t just focus on theory but also included real-world scenarios and hands-on exercises, which helped build confidence and prepare us for actual IT support roles. Overall, I would highly recommend Netcom Training for anyone considering an IT Support course, and Shahi in particular for his dedication, professionalism, and ability to make learning both effective and enjoyable."

Jordan George
19 March 2026

"I just completed the IT support course the information and delivery was very good. Help with the assignments was useful too."

thmay
19 March 2026

"Overall it was alright, on my course (IT Support) it did cover both the compTIA TECH+ and A modules and you have access to the lesson slides too so helps with revision"

Tyrell
19 March 2026

"I’ve had a really good experience with Netcom so far. One of the biggest things I took away (apart from all of the new IT knowledge) was realising how much structure there actually is in IT support. Before this, I thought it would be more of a “figure it out as you go” situation, but the course showed me there are clear processes and support systems in place. Shahi was a great tutor, what really stood out was his interactive teaching style. He didn’t just rely on the slides, but used practical tools like Cisco Packet Tracer. He also brought in personal anecdotes and real life scenarios, which made the content feel more relevant and easier to understand. He encouraged interaction throughout the sessions, which made it more engaging, and when we were learning code, he introduced useful sites where we could test things ourselves, including practical and ethical hacking exercises. I've been working with our work coach Afzaa to build my confidence and skills in job hunting so overall, I feel a lot more confident going into a support role now. Thank you Shahi and Netcom! "

Manveer
19 March 2026

"Have learnt much about business processes in providing ITSM within a business and has given me a good foundation in moving into a new area of IT roles. Our tutor Shahi Wadan went out of his way to make sure we recieved good support and feedback on assessments, as well as providing plenty of real world examples of IT support role experiences."

James Newton
19 March 2026

"The course was informative, and the tutor, Shahi, was amazing"

Daniella Martin
19 March 2026

"I had a really good experience with Netcom Training. The course was easy to follow and well organised, and I learned a lot in a short time. My tutor, Shahi Wadan, was excellent—he explained things clearly, was very patient, and always made sure everyone understood before moving on. He made the lessons engaging and easy to understand, even for beginners. Overall, I would recommend Netcom Training, especially if you have Shahi as your tutor."

Samra Mumtaz
19 March 2026

"I had a great experience from the course with the tutor Shahi Wadan and from the rest team of Netcom "

Vasilis Skiathos
19 March 2026

"Mr.Shahi Wadan is our best instructor in Comptia A+ course "

Yassmine Abdelsalame
19 March 2026

"My experience was brilliant as Tutor, Shahi is very calm in his approachto teaching, which made him stand out and very considerate. Overall, Happy experience! Thanks Netcom for the opportunity "

Olu Olu
19 March 2026

"My experience with Netcom has been extremely positive. I enrolled on this course, and it has honestly been one of the best learning decisions I have made. The course is very practical and focuses on real skills that can be applied immediately when building a business online. Gary, the trainer, is very knowledgeable and professional. He has a lot of real industry experience and explains concepts clearly, using practical examples and useful advice. He is also supportive and encourages questions, which makes the learning environment comfortable and motivating. Overall, the course has helped me gain confidence in using digital tools to grow a business online. I would highly recommend this training to anyone who wants to understand social media marketing and web design in a practical and supportive learning environment."

Prisca
13 March 2026

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