Level 4 Cyber Security Technologist

The apprenticeship will cover the following:

• Module 1: Cyber Security Fundamentals. A foundational module introducing the core mindset, tools, and context needed for cyber security practice. Apprentices examine the professional, legal, and ethical responsibilities of a cyber technologist, learn to identify and model threats, and develop a defender’s perspective on the security landscape.
• Module 2: Network principles for security. A deep dive into computer networking, covering how data is encapsulated, addressed, and transmitted. Apprentices move from theory to hands on traffic analysis, building essential understanding of the protocols and communication processes that underpin secure digital operations.
• Module 3: Secure endpoints and automation. This module focuses on securing organisational endpoints across Windows and Linux environments. Apprentices gain practical experience in system hardening and learn to use programming and scripting to automate security tasks, developing efficiency and technical capability.
• Module 4: Build technical defences. Apprentices explore how to design and implement technical controls to protect systems and networks. This module strengthens practical defence skills through configuration, monitoring, and the application of defensive technologies.
• Module 5: Governance, risk and compliance (GRC). A comprehensive introduction to cyber security as a business management function. Apprentices learn to align security with organisational objectives, conduct risk assessments, develop policy, and plan for business resilience.
• Module 6: Threat simulations and response. A high intensity module immersing apprentices in realistic red team/blue team scenarios. They apply technical skills, teamwork, and critical thinking to respond to mock incidents and practise concise incident reporting—experience that mirrors real-world breach response.
• Module 7: Specialist pathway. Apprentices choose one of the following specialist options:
  – Cyber Security Engineer: Engineering Security in the cloud. This specialist module is designed for the modern security engineer, focusing on how to design, build, and secure resilient systems in the cloud. Apprentices will learn to adapt traditional security principles to the unique challenges of cloud environments and leverage the power of automation to deploy and manage secure infrastructure at scale.
  – Cyber Risk Analyst: Strategic Risk Management. This specialist module provides a comprehensive deep dive into the governance, assessment, and communication of cyber risk. As an aspiring Risk Analyst, apprentices will focus on the strategic aspects of security, including the complex challenges of third-party risk management and the critical importance of fostering a security-aware organisational culture.
  – Cyber Ops: Defence and respond – Security Operations and Cloud Defence. This module focuses on the practical challenges of defending modern cloud environments. As a defender, apprentices will learn to use cloud-native security tools and adapt defensive techniques to protect distributed cloud infrastructure, platforms, and services against a new generation of threats.
• Module 8: Advanced security operations and incident management. A shared capstone module exploring SOC operations, incident handling processes, and threat hunting. All apprentices gain an advanced understanding of how threats are detected, assessed, and neutralised in operational environments.
• Module 9: EPA Gateway and Showcase Prep. The final module focuses on consolidating learning and preparing for End Point Assessment. Apprentices refine their portfolios, map evidence to the standard, practise their professional discussion, and prepare their showcase project.