Core Cyber Defence & Intelligence Operations
Advance your career with four expert-led courses covering core cyber defence and intelligence operations
Duration
Approx 16 weeks2-4 hrs per week
Gain practical skills in core cyber defence & intelligence operations
Modern Cyber Defence and Intelligence Operations
In an era where digital threats evolve with unprecedented speed, robust cyber defence requires a sophisticated blend of proactive intelligence and automated resilience. This ExpertTrack provides a comprehensive foundation in modern security operations, equipping professionals to safeguard complex digital ecosystems.
You will explore the critical intersection of human expertise and machine intelligence, learning how to strengthen Security Operations Centre (SOC) workflows. By investigating the lifecycle of cyber threats through the lens of the CIA Triad - Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability - you will develop the analytical skills necessary to turn raw data into actionable security insights. The programme emphasises the operationalisation of Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) through dedicated platforms, allowing you to map adversary tactics and anticipate breaches before they occur.
Strategic Incident Response and Framework Integration
Effective crisis management depends on proven structures rather than reactive guesswork. This ExpertTrack delves into industry-standard incident response frameworks, including NIST and SANS, to guide decision-making under high-pressure scenarios. You will gain hands-on experience in designing a tailored Cyber Incident Response Plan (CIRP), mapping out essential workflows and assigning clear organisational responsibilities.
By integrating IT service management and risk management practices, you will learn to test response strategies through realistic simulations. This ensures that when a security incident occurs, your organisation possesses the structured methodology required to contain threats and minimise downtime.
Securing Multi-Cloud Environments and AI Integration
As organisations migrate to distributed architectures, mastering cloud security across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud is essential.
You will navigate the shared responsibility model, configuring identity and access controls to reduce the attack surface. The ExpertTrack further explores the cutting edge of defence: AI agents. You will discover how AI-driven tools scan vast activity to flag risks like subtle behavioural shifts or phishing. By deploying detection tools and mapping configurations to CIS Benchmarks and ISO 27001, you will ensure cloud operations remain secure, compliant, and audit-ready.
The courses within this ExpertTrack can also be undertaken as standalone study options - you can search within the wider Starweaver portfolio.
Key skills you will learn
- Threat Intelligence
- Incident Response
- Cloud Security
- AI Integration
- SOC Operations
- Regulatory Compliance
Learning outcomes
By the end of the ExpertTrack, you’ll be able to...
- Assess the lifecycle of cyber threat intelligence using the CIA Triad to transform raw security data into actionable organisational insights.
- Develop autonomous AI agents within SOC workflows to enhance the speed and precision of threat detection and phishing analysis.
- Evaluate the shared responsibility models across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud to identify and mitigate platform-specific vulnerabilities.
- Develop a comprehensive Cyber Incident Response Plan (CIRP) integrated with NIST and SANS frameworks to manage high-pressure security events.
- Design cloud-native detection tools and identity controls to maintain a secure and compliant multi-cloud operational environment.
- Assess security configurations against international benchmarks such as ISO 27001 and CIS to generate audit-ready compliance reports.
Experience required
Learners should possess a foundational understanding of information technology and networking principles. Prior experience in an IT support, systems administration, or junior security role is highly recommended, as the curriculum assumes familiarity with basic concepts such as IP addressing, operating systems, and the CIA Triad.
Experience with cloud platforms or basic scripting is beneficial but not mandatory.
Getting started
This ExpertTrack is designed for IT professionals, security analysts, and systems administrators aiming to specialise in modern cyber defence. It is ideal for those working within a Security Operations Centre (SOC) or aspiring to transition into threat intelligence and incident response roles.
Technical leads and cloud engineers responsible for securing AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud environments will find the hands-on configurations highly valuable. Additionally, risk and compliance managers seeking to integrate AI-driven tools and industry-standard frameworks will gain critical expertise.
ExpertTrack course overview
Course 1
Core Principles of Using AI Agents in Cyber Defence
Explore how AI agents strengthen SOC operations.
4 tests
4 weeks
2 hours per week
Course 2
Essentials of Cyber Threat Intelligence
Harness the power of cybersecurity tools, frameworks and solutions to turn raw cyber data into actionable security insights.
4 tests
4 weeks
2 hours per week
Course 3
Essentials of Incident Response Frameworks
Learn practical incident response skills and create a robust cyber incident response plan.
4 tests
4 weeks
4 hours per week
Course 4
Essentials of Securing Cloud Operations
Master practical cloud security skills across AWS, Azure, and GCP. Learn to secure cloud operations and maintain compliance.
4 tests
4 weeks
2 hours per week
Prove you're job ready
Highlight the new, job-relevant skills you’ve gained and supplement existing qualifications with a hard-earned, industry-specific digital certificate – plus one for every course within your ExpertTrack.
- Learn the latest in your chosen industry or subject.
- Complete each course and pass assessments.
- Receive certificates validated by the educating organisation.
- Impress employers with learning outcomes you can add to your CV.
- Make your career dreams a reality.
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How ExpertTracks work
Join an ExpertTrack to master new skills in your chosen specialist area. Work through a series of topic-focused courses at your own pace, and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate award which proves your expertise.
Decide if the ExpertTrack is right for you with free access to the full suite of courses and assessments for a week.
Pay a monthly subscription fee of $39 for as long as it takes you to complete the ExpertTrack. You can learn at your own pace and cancel at any time.
Receive a certificate for every completed course and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate.
Use your specialist training to progress further in your career or build expertise in areas you’re passionate about.
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- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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FAQ
ExpertTracks are a series of online courses designed to help you master new skills in specialist areas. You pay a monthly subscription fee which includes access to all courses within the ExpertTrack, as well as assessments and the final digital certificate.
Each ExpertTrack comes with a 2-day free trial period. You may cancel your subscription at any time and your subscription will automatically cancel when you finish the courses and assessments in your chosen ExpertTrack.
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If you’re looking for certified or accredited courses, many of our microcredentials offer university credit or professional certification.
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