CompTIA Security+ Course

To get the most out of this course, students will need a personal laptop or PC for practical exercises and cybersecurity labs. No previous cybersecurity experience is required, although a basic understanding of computer systems and networking concepts will be beneficial.

Learners should be comfortable using operating systems, web browsers, and common software applications. Throughout the course, students will progressively develop the skills required to identify security risks, secure digital assets, respond to incidents, and support cybersecurity operations within modern organisations.

Week 1: Introduction to Cybersecurity and Threat Landscape

This part of the course introduces the foundations of cybersecurity and the role it plays in protecting organisations, systems, and users. It covers common threat actors, motivations, attack vectors, and attack surfaces. Learners explore the cybersecurity landscape and gain an understanding of emerging threats and security challenges facing modern organisations.

Week 2: Network Security Fundamentals

This part of the course introduces network security concepts and technologies used to protect data and communications. It covers security controls, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, network segmentation, and secure network design. Learners explore common network attacks and the techniques used to defend against them in enterprise environments.

Week 3: Security Architecture and Enterprise Security

This part of the course introduces security architecture principles and the role of security frameworks within organisations. It covers layered security models, secure system design, regulatory requirements, and risk-based security management. Learners explore how security controls are implemented to protect enterprise infrastructure and maintain compliance with industry standards.

Week 4: Securing Information and Cryptography

This part of the course focuses on protecting information assets through cryptographic solutions and security best practices. It covers encryption, hashing, digital certificates, and public key infrastructure. Learners explore the role of cryptography in protecting data confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity within modern information systems.

Week 5: Identity and Access Management

This part of the course introduces identity and access management concepts used to control access to systems and resources. It covers authentication, authorization, multifactor authentication, privileged access management, and access control models. Learners explore how organisations manage user identities and reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

Week 6: Vulnerability Management and System Hardening

This part of the course focuses on identifying and managing security vulnerabilities. It covers vulnerability assessment, patch management, asset management, system hardening, and resilience planning. Learners explore how organisations identify weaknesses in systems and implement controls to reduce security risks and improve operational resilience.

Week 7: Security Monitoring and Threat Detection

This part of the course introduces security monitoring techniques and threat detection methodologies. It covers security logs, indicators of compromise, security information and event management (SIEM) systems, and alerting mechanisms. Learners develop an understanding of how security teams monitor environments and detect suspicious activities.

Week 8: Incident Response and Recovery

This part of the course focuses on incident response processes and procedures used to manage cybersecurity incidents. It covers incident identification, containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident analysis. Learners explore how organisations respond to security breaches and minimise operational impact through structured response planning.

Week 9: Security Governance, Risk, and Compliance

This part of the course introduces governance, risk management, and compliance principles. It covers security policies, risk assessments, third-party risk management, audits, compliance requirements, and security awareness programs. Learners explore how organisations establish effective security governance and maintain regulatory compliance.

Week 10: Security Operations Project and Presentation

This part of the course focuses on applying cybersecurity concepts through a practical security operations project. Learners assess risks, implement security controls, analyse security events, and develop recommendations for improving organisational security posture. The course concludes with project documentation, presentation skills, industry applications, and cybersecurity career pathways.

Learners will be evaluated through two core exams aligned with the cybersecurity curriculum. The examinations are designed to assess learners’ ability to identify security risks, evaluate vulnerabilities, implement appropriate security controls, and develop effective cybersecurity operations. Together, the assessments provide evidence of both practical security assessment skills and the ability to develop and improve organisational cybersecurity practices.

Core Examination 1 – Security Assessment and Risk Analysis Project

• Conduct a security review of a small organisational environment.
• Identify vulnerabilities, threats, and potential security weaknesses.
• Evaluate existing security controls and their effectiveness.
• Conduct a basic organisational risk assessment.
• Recommend appropriate security controls and mitigation measures.
• Document security findings and prioritise identified risks.
• Produce a professional security assessment report.
• Present clear recommendations for improving the organisation’s security posture.

Core Examination 2 – Cybersecurity Operations and Improvement Project

• Develop a comprehensive cybersecurity operations improvement plan.
• Conduct risk analysis and recommend appropriate security measures.
• Design security architecture improvements for an organisational environment.
• Implement identity and access management controls and principles.
• Develop incident response procedures for common security incidents.
• Address cybersecurity governance, policies, and compliance considerations.
• Recommend future security enhancements, resilience measures, and improvements.
• Complete a reflective report outlining future cybersecurity goals and professional development needs.

Upon successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:

• Evaluate cybersecurity threats, attack vectors, security controls, and risk mitigation strategies used to protect organisational assets.
• Apply security principles, cryptographic techniques, and identity and access management controls to secure enterprise systems and information.
• Assess vulnerabilities in hardware, software, and data assets and recommend appropriate remediation and resilience measures.
• Implement and manage security capabilities, including endpoint protection, system hardening, and enterprise security controls.
• Monitor, analyse, and respond to cybersecurity incidents using industry-standard detection, alerting, and incident response practices.
• Apply security governance, risk management, compliance, and security awareness principles to support secure organisational operations.

• Strong Entry-Level Career Opportunities:
  Graduates can pursue roles such as Cybersecurity Analyst, Security Operations Centre (SOC) Analyst, IT Security Administrator, and Information Security Support Specialist, with typical starting salaries ranging from €35,000 to €45,000 per year.
• Excellent Career Progression:
  With industry experience and certifications such as CompTIA Security+, CySA+, CISSP, or cloud security credentials, professionals can progress into advanced cybersecurity and security leadership roles earning €60,000 to €100,000+ annually.
• Growing Industry Demand:
  Organisations across every sector face increasing cybersecurity threats and require skilled professionals who can secure systems, manage risks, and respond to security incidents.
• Globally Recognised Skills:
  The knowledge and competencies developed in this course align with internationally recognised cybersecurity frameworks and industry best practices, providing a strong foundation for further certification and career development.