What you will study
Cisco is a worldwide market leader supplying networking equipment for the internet to large, medium and small organisations, as well as the home user. It also has a long-established international networking academy programme aimed at educating 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 version of the Network Security curriculum using an online virtual learning environment provided by Cisco through its academy programme (NetAcad). Additionally, you will be guided through material that covers different parts of the CyberOps Associate core body of knowledge.
Once you have completed this module, you will be equipped to take the Network Security certification and have a foundation upon which to complete your preparation for taking the CyberOps certification examination. Both the Network Security and CyberOps examinations can be taken at many test centres internationally, by your own arrangement. You do not need NetSec certification to successfully complete this Open University module. However, there is a Cisco requirement that to become fully Network Security or CCNP certified, you must already have Network certification. We teach the CCNA curriculum at OU level 2 on Cisco networking CCNA part 1 (TM257) and OU level 3 on Cisco networking (CCNA) part 2 (TM357).
This module focuses on advanced practical and skills development: you will be expected to configure routers, firewalls and other network security devices with a range of addressing, routing and security technologies. The hands on practical lab experience will be available via the Packet Tracer network simulator and dedicated Virtual Machines.
You’ll cover:
- network security threats
- operations, physical and environmental security
- network infrastructure and devices
- security architecture and design
- authentication, authorisation and auditing
- firewalls and, intrusion prevention
- cryptography and virtual private networks
- information security risk management.
This 30-credit module is studied over six months and you will need to spend at least 12 hours a week studying over this period.
For queries on module content, you may contact the module team directly by sending an email.
For full details of the Cisco academy programme see the academy website. Additional information about the CyberOps certification programme can be found on the Cisco website.
Vocational relevance
Upon completion of the Cisco Network Security® curriculum you’ll be in a position to take the associated Network Security certification and Cybersecurity Operations Associate certification, internationally recognised advanced work-based qualifications.
Entry
This is a postgraduate module, where we assume you have relevant academic, employment or commercial certification experience. The module provides additional Cisco-specific access material based on Network Security. However, learners who have completed the discontinued module Cisco networking (CCNA) (T216) or at least Cisco networking (CCNA) part 1 (TM257), or have experience of the CCNA as a commercial certification or at another Cisco academy will be at an advantage.
The main study material is provided as online material (for NetSec) as well as online CyberOps Associate materials, and additional key material is also online. Therefore you should be confident in the use of a computer to access the internet and be prepared to spend much of your study time online. Broadband access is essential. The study material contains active content, which means that you will need to set up your firewall to allow pop-ups from the Cisco and OU sites.
Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum overall score of 6 and minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four components: reading, writing, speaking and listening under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see the IELTS website for details.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
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.
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.