Content Area 8

Security

Master cybersecurity principles, threat analysis, risk mitigation, and security frameworks essential for protecting digital systems and organizational assets.

5
Level
4
Subtopics
35-50 hours
Study Time

Critical Security Knowledge

This critical-level content area covers essential cybersecurity concepts and practices. Security knowledge is fundamental for all digital professionals and system architects.

Critical
Learning Level
4
Subtopics
35-50
Study Hours
Pearson
Qualification

Cybersecurity Framework

8.1 Security risks

Available

What confidential information organisations hold and why privacy and confidentiality matter, and organisational impacts of failure.

Key Learning Outcomes:

  • Types of confidential information: personal data, financial records, intellectual property, business secrets
  • Privacy importance: individual rights, trust relationships, legal compliance
  • Confidentiality significance: competitive advantage, regulatory requirements, stakeholder trust
  • Organisational impact of data breaches: financial losses, legal penalties, reputational damage
  • Regulatory consequences: GDPR fines, industry sanctions, compliance violations
  • Business continuity risks: operational disruption, customer loss, partner relationships
  • +3 more topics...

8.2 Threats and vulnerabilities

Available

Technical threats botnets, DoS or DDoS, malware types, insecure APIs, man in the middle, insecure Wi Fi. Technical vulnerabilities weak controls and outdated components. Human threats error, malicious insiders, social engineering. Physical vulnerabilities and controls.

Key Learning Outcomes:

  • Technical threats: botnets (coordinated attacks), Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks
  • Malware categories: viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, rootkits, keyloggers
  • Network attacks: man-in-the-middle (MITM), packet sniffing, session hijacking
  • API security issues: authentication bypass, injection attacks, data exposure
  • Wireless vulnerabilities: insecure Wi-Fi, rogue access points, WEP/WPA weaknesses
  • Technical vulnerabilities: weak access controls, unpatched systems, outdated software
  • +7 more topics...

8.3 Threat mitigation

Available

Security settings, anti malware, intrusion detection, encryption hashing symmetric asymmetric, access control and policies, staff vetting and training, updates, air gaps, API certification, VPN, multi factor authentication, password managers, scanning, penetration testing, firewall rules, network segregation and monitoring.

Key Learning Outcomes:

  • Security configuration: hardening systems, disabling unnecessary services, secure defaults
  • Anti-malware solutions: signature-based detection, heuristic analysis, behavioral monitoring
  • Intrusion detection systems (IDS): network monitoring, anomaly detection, alert management
  • Intrusion prevention systems (IPS): automated threat blocking, real-time protection
  • Encryption techniques: symmetric (AES), asymmetric (RSA), hybrid encryption systems
  • Hashing algorithms: SHA-256, digital signatures, integrity verification, salted hashes
  • +12 more topics...

8.4 Interrelationship of security components

Available

CIA triad and the IAAA model identification, authentication, authorisation, accountability with techniques and trade offs.

Key Learning Outcomes:

  • CIA Triad: Confidentiality (data protection), Integrity (data accuracy), Availability (system access)
  • Confidentiality techniques: encryption, access controls, data classification, need-to-know basis
  • Integrity measures: digital signatures, checksums, version control, change management
  • Availability strategies: redundancy, load balancing, disaster recovery, business continuity
  • IAAA Model: Identification, Authentication, Authorization, Accountability framework
  • Identification: user identity establishment, unique identifiers, identity management systems
  • +9 more topics...

Core Security Domains

Risk Assessment

Identify vulnerabilities and evaluate organizational impacts

Threat Analysis

Understand attack vectors and threat landscapes

Security Controls

Implement technical and administrative safeguards

Security Framework

CIA triad and IAAA model integration

Learning Resources

Security Frameworks
NIST, ISO 27001, and industry security standards
Practical Labs
Hands-on security testing and incident response
Security Tools
Vulnerability scanners, SIEM, and forensic tools
Case Studies
Real-world security incidents and responses

Assessment Information

Security knowledge is assessed through risk analysis scenarios, threat mitigation planning, and security framework implementation exercises.

Risk Assessment
Analyze security risks and evaluate organizational impacts
Security Planning
Design comprehensive security strategies and controls
Incident Response
Develop procedures for security incident management

Master Cybersecurity Fundamentals

Begin with security risk assessment and progress through threat analysis, mitigation strategies, and security frameworks. These skills are critical for protecting digital systems and data.