Online ExpertTrack in IT & Computer Science

Network Security and Defence

Develop the essential cyber security knowledge and skills you need to prevent, detect and recover from network security incidents.

Created by

Coventry UniversityCoventry University

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Explore network security and develop an understanding of cyber threats

The aim of this ten-week ExpertTrack is to develop your knowledge to secure networks. This ExpertTrack aims to develop your understanding of cyber attacks, effective defence, and crisis management.

Explore the range of potential threats to a network and the ways to assess them for likelihood and impact. Look at ways to determine the level of defence required to manage these threats within the tolerances of an organisation and as appropriate for the data held.

Create a secure network

Over the course of this ExpertTrack, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the core concept of cyber security, and to equip yourself with the knowledge you need to detect vulnerabilities. Explore how to develop attack profiles for conventional networks, security architectures and advanced protection methods and investigate testing, monitoring and audit, including advanced protection methods.

Discover data management techniques

As part of this ExpertTrack, you will have the opportunity to learn about physical and electronic data management and movement, which helps to ensure that the data in a system is accurate, available and accessible.

Explore the history of the internet and cyber security

In order to develop your understanding of network defence management, you will have the opportunity to explore the chronological developments of IT, to help you gain a historical perspective.

Look at future cyber threats like AI

It’s important to think about future issues that may arise during your career in network security, including artificial intelligence, state hacking and quantum technologies.

Key skills you will learn

  • Network defence principles
  • Network defence management
  • IT infrastructure
  • Cyber threats
  • Network environments
  • Organisational structure
  • Data classification
  • Data management and movement
  • Data sharing
  • Cyber security

Learning outcomes

By the end of the ExpertTrack, you’ll be able to...

  • Recognise the variety of potential cyberattacks an organisation may face
  • Describe the threat environment
  • Identify effective responses to cyberattacks
  • Identify strategies to maintain network security
  • Describe the principles of critical event management and communicate effectively

Experience required

You do not need any experience working in or studying cyber security or IT in order to benefit from this ExpertTrack.

Getting started

This ExpertTrack is suited to anyone looking to develop their understanding of cyber security and network defence management.

ExpertTrack course overview

  • Course 1

    Explore the basic requirements of network defence management and delve into the different cyber threats you’ll have to face.

    1 peer-graded assignment

    2 weeks

    5 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Network Defence Management in Context
      • Welcome
      • Introduction to cyber security and network defence
      • Cyber threats – the UK context
      • A summary of the week
    • Week 2

      The International Landscape
      • Welcome to Week 2
      • Cyber warfare
      • Social element of network defence
      • Policy and legislation
      • Summary of the week
  • Course 2

    Delve into IT infrastructure and explore the history of information technology (IT), information systems (IS), and cyber security.

    1 peer-graded assignment

    2 weeks

    5 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Historical Context
      • Welcome to Network Defence Management: A History of IT
      • A history of Information Technology (IT) and Information Systems (IS)
      • Computer networks
      • Summary
    • Week 2

      Technology Changes and Cyber Threats
      • Welcome to Week 2
      • Cloud technology
      • Cyber threats
      • A summary of the course
  • Course 3

    Explore network environments and how to defend your network against cyber threats and improve your internet security.

    1 peer-graded assignment

    2 weeks

    5 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Key Network Defence Management Considerations
      • Welcome to Network Defence Management: Network Environments
      • Physical elements
      • Organisational factors
      • Regulations
      • Summary of the week
    • Week 2

      The Bad Side of Network Defence Management
      • Welcome back
      • Internal factors
      • Cyber-attack case studies
      • A summary of the week
  • Course 4

    Explore the layers of network security architecture and how to manage them before, during, and after an event.

    1 peer-graded assignment

    2 weeks

    5 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Network Defence Configurations
      • Welcome to Network Defence Management: Security Architecture
      • Network defence layers
      • A summary of the week
    • Week 2

      Maintenance and Response Strategies
      • Welcome back
      • Maintenance of network defence operations
      • Identifying and responding to attacks
      • A summary of the week
  • Course 5

    Know what to expect with the future needs of network defence management and how to scan for events that could change requirements.

    1 peer-graded assignment

    2 weeks

    5 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Future Risk and Technological Considerations
      • Welcome
      • Future risk and technological considerations
      • A summary of the week
    • Week 2

      Quantum Technologies and Practical Approaches
      • Welcome back
      • Quantum technologies and practical approaches
      • A summary of the week
      • Further reading

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.

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Decide if the ExpertTrack is right for you with free access to the full suite of courses and assessments for a week.

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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.

Earn digital certificates

Receive a certificate for every completed course and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate.

Become an expert

Use your specialist training to progress further in your career or build expertise in areas you’re passionate about.

World-class learning with Coventry University

Coventry secured 5 QS Stars for Teaching and Online Learning in the QS World University Ranking 2020 and has received No. 1 in the world for Massive Open Online Courses in MoocLab’s World University Ranking 2021.

  • Established

    1992
  • Location

    Coventry

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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.

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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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