Level 3 AAQ Cambridge Advanced National in Cyber Security and Networks - A Level equivalent

Choosing the AAQ in Cyber Security and Networks is a brilliant step for students who want a course that’s both future-focused and highly practical. You’ll learn how the digital world really works - from the foundations of computer networks to the real cyber threats that affect individuals, businesses, and even national infrastructure - and, most importantly, how to prevent, detect, and respond to those threats. Through a mix of exams and hands-on coursework, you’ll build job-ready skills such as risk assessment, access control, user awareness, digital forensics (including gathering and presenting evidence), and penetration testing and incident response planning. Alongside strong technical knowledge, the course develops valuable transferable skills like communication, problem solving, project planning and time management - qualities employers look for in every industry. If you’re interested in IT and enjoy tackling challenges, this OCR-awarded qualification is an excellent pathway into further study and careers such as Cyber Security Analyst, SOC Analyst, Digital Forensics Investigator, Penetration Tester, or Incident Response Analyst.

Throughout your studies, you’ll explore a wide range of topics through both exams and coursework.

Units include:

Fundamentals of cyber security: You will learn why cyber security is important to us all and the motivations of different threat actors. You will learn what cyber security threats look like, how threats function and the steps that can be taken by individuals and organisations to protect, detect and respond to them

Fundamentals of networks: You will learn about the fundamental concepts of networks, including different models, addressing techniques and protocols. You will also learn about the different hardware devices that are used in a network and how those devices are connected.

Preventing cyberattacks: You will learn techniques to assess for risks to networks, devices and applications and produce risk assessments. You will learn how to audit the measures used to prevent cyberattacks, design policies that control access to systems and educate users in cyberattack prevention.

Digital forensic investigation: You will learn about digital forensics including the processes followed when completing digital forensic investigations. You will plan digital forensic investigations and use software tools to extract evidence and present evidence ready for use in court.

Penetration testing and incident response: You will learn about penetration testing strategies and plan penetration tests. You will learn how to undertake planned exploits on vulnerable systems, using specific methods and tools. You will create cyber security incident response plans, incident playbooks and maintenance plans to build and upkeep incident response capability.

You’ll be assessed through a combination of external exams and internally marked coursework. Each unit is graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction, and your overall qualification grade is calculated from these results.

You will need 4 GCSEs at grade 4 including English.

An interest in IT and Programming will help you get the most out of the course.

With further study, potential careers include:

Cyber Security Analyst
Security Operations Centre (SOC) Analyst
Digital Forensics Investigator
Penetration Tester / Ethical Hacker
Cyber Threat Analyst
Incident Response Analyst

The course also builds transferable skills, communication, problem solving, project planning, time management, that are valued across all industries.

Awarding body: OCR