Network security

With organisations increasingly dependent on their information systems, there’s a greater need to ensure that these systems’ underlying network infrastructure is secure. We’re a Cisco Academy and offer the opportunity on this module to study two current Cisco vendor awards as part of your studies. You’ll study Cisco CyberOps Associate and Ethical Hacker courses. These courses allow you to develop knowledge, understanding and practical experience of how organisations manage their cybersecurity operations and how they develop strategies for identifying and mitigating against attackers. You’ll also undertake individual research to contextualise your Cisco study in the broader security management environment.

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Start	End	Fee	Register
01 Nov 2025	Apr 2026	-	Registration closes 09/10/25 (places subject to availability) Click to register

This module is expected to start for the last time in November 2028.

What you will study

Cisco is a worldwide market leader supplying networking equipment for the internet to large, medium and small organisations and the home user. It also has a long-established international networking academy programme to educate networking professionals. Cisco certifications are highly regarded in the networking industry, offering certification holders and their employers a commercial and technical advantage.

In this module, you’ll study the latest versions of the Ethical Hacker and CyberOps Associate curriculum using an online virtual learning environment provided by Cisco through its academy programme (NetAcad), making you eligible for Cisco course completion certificates.

On completing this module, you’ll have a foundation upon which to complete your preparation for taking the 200-201 CBROPS Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals certification examination. You can take CyberOps examinations at many test centres internationally, by your arrangement. But you’re not obligated to take career certification exams as part of the module.

This module focuses on advanced practical skills development: you’ll undertake a range of activities in the context of cybersecurity operations and ethical hacking.

For example:

network security threats
operations, physical and environmental security
testing
network infrastructure and devices
security architecture and design
authentication, authorisation and auditing
firewalls and intrusion prevention
vulnerability assessment
cryptography and virtual private networks
information security risk management
reporting and communications.

For further queries about the module content, you may contact the module team.

You can find additional information about the CyberOps certification programme on the Cisco website.

From February 2026, Cisco are improving the CyberOps certification and changing it to become the CCNA Cybersecurity. As part of your continued study, we’ll provide you with any updated/alternative content as Cisco releases it.

Vocational relevance

Upon completion, you’ll be in a position to gain course completion certificates for Ethical Hacker and Cybersecurity Operations Associate, internationally recognised advanced work-based qualifications.

Entry

There are no entry requirements for this module.

Although this module has no entry requirements, we recommend you have relevant academic, employment or commercial certification experience. The module provides additional Cisco-specific access material based on cyber security. However, if you’ve completed the discontinued module Cisco networking (CCNA) (T216), Cisco networking (CCNA) part 1 (TM257), or have experience of the CCNA as a commercial certification or at another Cisco academy, you’ll be at an advantage.

Qualifications

T828 is a compulsory module in our:

T828 is an option module in our:

Excluded combinations

Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with an adviser before registering.

If you have a disability

The study material is online, so you’ll spend considerable time using a computer and the internet.

Some components might not be fully accessible using a screen reader.

If you’re using printed materials as part of reasonable adjustments to support your studies, note that printed versions of online materials are unavailable for this module.

To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our disability support pages.

Study materials

What's included

You’ll have access to the Cisco material required for the module and additional supplementary material supplied via the dedicated website, online materials covering the CyberOps Associate core body of knowledge (including CyberOps Associate exam practice software) and access to the University library and extensive collection of online journals. The learning materials will reflect the latest content on the Cisco Networking Academy.

The study material contains active content, so your browser and/or firewall must allow pop-ups from the Cisco and OU sites

Computing requirements

Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer. It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
Operating systems – Windows 11 or latest supported macOS. Microsoft will no longer support Windows 10 as of 14 October 2025.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended. Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

Throughout your module studies, you’ll get help and support from your assigned module tutor. They’ll help you by:

Marking your assignments (TMAs) and providing detailed feedback for you to improve.
Guiding you to additional learning resources.
Providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content.
Facilitating online discussions between your fellow students, in the dedicated module and tutor group forums.

The module chair or module tutors run occasional drop-in sessions. While these sessions won’t be compulsory for you to complete the module, you’re strongly encouraged to take part. If you want to participate, you’ll likely need a headset with a microphone.

Assessment

The assessment details can be found in the facts box.

Students also studied

Students who studied this module also studied at some time:

Future availability

Network security (T828) starts once a year – in November.

This page describes the module that will start in November 2025.

We expect it to start for the last time in November 2028.

How to register

To register a place on this module return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

PG Postgraduate

Course facts

About this course:
Course code	T828
Credits	30
OU Level	Postgraduate
SCQF level	11
FHEQ level	7
Course work includes:
3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
End-of-module assessment
No residential school