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.

Netcom Course Graphic
greater manchester combined authority cyber courses

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.

Explore other courses in your area

Image of a canal with barges in the West Midlands with high rise buildings surrounding.

West Midlands

Discover

Image of Tower Bridge over the River Thames in London.

London

Discover

Image of the River Irwell running through Deansgate in Manchester with 3 barges a bridge above and a high rise apartment building in the background.

Manchester

Discover

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.

"*" indicates required fields

Let’s get your career on track together!

Please complete the form below for more information. We will contact you as soon as we receive your online application. You can call us on 0121 450 9300 to discuss the course

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form

1. Eligibility

Are you over 19 years old?*
Address*
This field is hidden when viewing the form

2. Contact information

DD slash MM slash YYYY
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form

Hear from the Netcom Training Alumni

"My experience with Netcom Training has been very positive. The tutors were supportive, patient and always willing to explain things in a way that made sense, especially when topics became more technical. I appreciated the structure of the course and the way each unit built my confidence step by step. The practical labs, discussions and assignments helped me understand real cybersecurity concepts, and I’ve seen a big improvement in my confidence, especially in communication, leadership and analysing security scenarios. The employability support was also helpful, and I now feel more prepared to apply for junior cyber roles. Overall, Netcom Training has helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I’m grateful for the guidance I received throughout the course."

Dini Mohamed
19 April 2026

"I would like to say thank you for the admine team, our instructor fantastic instructor Rachel, employability advisor Azra and the entire team for their support. I would highly recommend for those who are interested to join the IT industry."

Ribka Teshome
16 April 2026

"They have provided a good foundation and good understanding of cybersecurity."

Sara Kamara
16 April 2026

"Just finished the Level 3 in Cyber security practices and, as someone who started with minimal knowledge, I can honestly say that the level of depth of the course material gave me the opportunity to grow my confidence in a field that I was quite unfamiliar with and inspired me to pursue a new career path My tutor was patient, supportive, informative and thorough, always thanking the time to explain clearly and making sure everyone understood while creating a fun and comfortable learning environment. This made my overall experience both positive and unforgettable."

Farah
16 April 2026

"I went into this experience with little to no knowledge on cyber security but through the course I was able to learn a number of different skills and also gain confidence within the subject. I am also more comfortable when it comes to applying for jobs due to the career help and advice we were given throughout the course as well. Very good experience !"

Ben
16 April 2026

"I would like to thank the Employability Programme team, especially Azra Akhtar, for all their support. She helped us create our CVs, prepare for job interviews, and kept us informed by sending emails about job opportunities and training events. I truly appreciate all the guidance and support provided."

Hersi
16 April 2026

"I had an overall good experience completing the Level 3 Cyber Security course with Netcom Training. The course was taught comprehensively by knowledgeable instructors, and the learning environment was friendly and supportive. After attending over three months of training sessions, I found it quite challenging at times due to unforeseen personal circumstances. However, Netcom Training provided adequate support, particularly with safeguarding, which I really appreciated. I’m grateful for the opportunity, as I’ve gained a solid foundation and fundamental knowledge in cyber security."

C “JJ” Hosh
16 April 2026

"My experience with the course was very positive. I found it really useful for learning cybersecurity. It helped me understand key concepts like online threats, data protection, and how to stay secure in real-world situations. The course was clear, engaging, and gave me confidence to apply what I’ve learned. I would like to thank my teacher Rachel Hurley for their guidance, support, and dedication throughout the course. Their teaching made the learning experience clear and engaging, and I truly appreciate the time and effort they put into helping me succeed."

Haa
16 April 2026

"Cyber security level 3 was great experience for me. I would recommend to anyone who wants to have a career in cyber security."

Nish Rani
16 April 2026

"very informative, well explained course,with lots of links."

Buster MoO
16 April 2026

"Very good if you want to introduce yourself to the world of cyber security."

Sally Mbula
16 April 2026

"I had a memorable and very positive experience with Netcom. I enrolled in the IT Support course with no prior knowledge of IT, and I now feel much more knowledgeable and confident thanks to what was taught throughout the course. Doug Brook was an amazing and approachable tutor, and I also received excellent career support from Romana Khan. The admin team and the progression team were all very welcoming and helpful. For anyone interested in learning IT support fundamentals, I would definitely and highly recommend Netcom Training "

Rachida
05 April 2026

"Netcom Training is one of the go-to training providers if you want to start or brush up on your IT skills. I have just completed the IT support Level 3 course, and Doug Brooks is AMAZING and knowledgeable. The support is amazing."

Charnelle Lewis
02 April 2026

"I enrolled onto the Level 3 IT support course on the 5th of January. A 3 month course that delves into the details that makes you better understand what it takes to be a frontline IT technician. My lecturer Doug Brooks was great, worked well with different peoples needs and was happy to repeat himself as much as possible until the class understood. The class I opted to take was from 6pm to 9pm and I would get home for 6 so it was pretty strenous with my mind on the go the whole day and I genuinely did feel like giving up but I stayed consistent and I am happy I did. I received support by not only my teacher Doug but also from Romana Khan who helped me with my CV and made it ten times better, her friendly approach made it easy to converse and ask as many questions as needed and both Romana and Doug were always happy to dedicate the time to answer questions and never showed an ounce of frustration. I thoroughly recommend Netcom for anyone who is thinking about studying to pave a path for a better future! :)"

Nab A
02 April 2026

"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

1-2-1
Career Guidance

Enter your email and join thousands of others who have already kick-started their career.

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form