Digital Support Services (Cyber Security) T-level

The core part of the qualification will give you a baseline understanding of the industry. It covers a range of areas, giving you a vital underpinning knowledge and experience of concepts and the skills you’ll need in this sector.

The core elements of digital will cover a host of themes including the following:

• The Business Context
• Culture
• Digital Analysis
• Digital Environments
• Diversity and inclusion
• Learning
• Legislation
• Planning
• Security
• Testing
• Tools

In addition learners will complete an employer-set project.

The specialism is the second part of the course which covers content which aligns with industry specific skills or directly relevant content for your chosen occupation.

The third part of the course is an Industry Placement which gives you valuable work experience and also has a work related project attached to it. In addition, there are a host of other elements such as preparation for work, T-level specific tutoring and careers advice and guidance to make a relevant and substantial study programme.

The specialist elements of digital will be covered through developing your skills:

• Identifying Cyber threats and how to mitigate these
• Reviewing different types of attacks including social engineering, phishing, spear phishing, vishing, smishing, shoulder surfing and dumpster diving.
• Denial of service (DoS)/ Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
• Malware, e.g, virus, adware, ransomware, trojan, botnet, spyware

In year 2 you will complete an occupational project and will be assessed on how you can mitigate Cyber attacks. This will include developing skills with firewalls, vulnerability scanning, anti-malware, device hardening and server configuration.

5 GCSE Grades level 4 or above including Maths and English

A typical week could see you learning how to prevent cyber attacks and put in place protection measures, having a lecture on cyber attacks or working in a team to test network security and vulnerabilities.

The core is assessed with two exams which are externally marked.  Both are two hours long. Learners are also required to complete an employer-set project task as part of the core.

All learners will complete a 45-day industry placement as part of their course.  Although we do provide some support with helping to find a placement we expect learners to be actively looking and making their own applications. They are also required to formally apply and attend an interview.  The placement can be completed with one or two employers. It can be a day release or over a number of weeks as a block placement. Learners must pass the industry placement. Learners will complete their placement in year 1 and 2.

We also expect our students have the required professional standards in the workplace. Dressing smartly, and arriving on time is key to making a good impression. Learners will need to be able to communicate with client’s effectivity and be productive in the workplace. There will be a support to develop these professional standards within the course.

The Occupational Specialism Assessment (OSA) will be assessed by three assignments which are completed under control assessment conditions

Learners will attend day trips to a range of IT organisations.

No additional equipment is needed however a computer or laptop at home would be useful

NCFE