Cisco and Palo Alto Cyber Security Packaged (PCCSA, PCNSA and CCNA Cyber Ops) (short course)

More about this course

Technology is changing the world by connecting billions of devices and improving how we live, work, play and treat our planet.

Today's organisations are challenged with rapidly detecting cyber security breaches and effectively responding to security incidents. Teams of people in security operations centres (SOCs) keep a vigilant eye on security systems, protecting their organisations by detecting and responding to cybersecurity threats. Palo Alto Cyber Security PCCSA and PCNSA and Cisco CCNA cyber operations prepares you to begin a career in cyber security administration with security operations centres.

Uncovering cybercrime, cyber espionage and other threats to the integrity of networks is an exciting new area that spans all industries. London Met is the only Palo Alto Cyber security regional academy in the UK offering this new course at one of the most advanced Palo Alto Academies in the UK and a leading Cisco academy.

Assessment

You will be assessed by in-class chapter tests, final theory exams and practical exams.

Professional accreditation

You will receive Cisco CCNA cyber security operations and Palo Alto PCCSA and PCNSA certifications.

Our teaching plans for autumn 2021

We are planning to return to our usual ways of teaching this autumn including on-campus activities for your course. However, it's still unclear what the government requirements on social distancing and other restrictions might be, so please keep an eye on our Covid-19 pages for further updates as we get closer to the start of the autumn term.

Entry requirements

You're required to have:

• a Reading-Age Level (RAL) of 13
• basic computer literacy and awareness of the internet

Prior experience with computer hardware, cabling, binary maths and basic electronics is desirable but not required.

You're also required to have a Windows-based PC or laptop with an internet connection if you want to study the material outside of the University's premises.

International students

You will need the following level of English:

• a minimum English qualification of IELTS 5.5 with 5.0 or above in all components, or 550 with 4 in the TWE (Test of Written English) or 213 in the computer-based test (essay rating 4)

The British Council has more information about how to take an IELTS exam (the preferred qualification).

It may be possible to be exempt from formal English qualifications if:

• you received high grades in English throughout your education
• your education has been undertaken in English

Course structure

Module one – Cyber Security Foundation:

This module explains the nature and scope of today's cyber security challenges. It explores the cyber security landscape, cyber threats, malware and spamming and Wi-Fi and advanced threats.

Module two – Cyber Security Gateway:

This module explains networking concepts, fundamentals and technologies. It explores the basic operation of computer networks; common networking devices; routed and routing protocols; network types and topologies; DNS; physical, logical and virtual addressing; IP addressing and subnetting; the OSI and TCP/IP models; network security models, cloud and data centre security, network security technologies, cloud computing, virtualisation and storage technologies; and network operations fundamentals.

Module three – Cyber Security Essentials:

Presents detailed information about next-generation cyber security solutions available from Palo Alto networks. This module demonstrates the real-world application of cyber security design best practices and principles presented in Module two to address the cyber security landscape and threat challenge design described in Module one.

The PCCSA consists of two modules: Palo Alto Cyber Security Infrastructure Configuration (CIC) and Palo Alto Cyber Security Prevention and Countermeasures (CPC), which is very similar to the Palo Alto EDU-210 course.

The Palo Alto CIC course provides you with a general understanding of how to install, configure and manage firewalls for defence of enterprise network architecture. You'll learn the theory and configuration steps for setting up the security, networking, threat prevention, logging and reporting features of next generation firewall technologies.

The Palo Alto CPC module provides you with advanced information on how to install, configure and manage firewalls for the defence of enterprise network infrastructure. You'll learn the theory and extended configuration features necessary for setting up traffic handling, advanced content/user identification, quality of service, global protection, monitoring/reporting and high availability of next generation firewall technologies.

The CCNA cyber security operations course prepares you to begin a career working with associate-level cyber security analysts within security operations centres. Trained candidates in security operations centres (SOCs) keep a vigilant eye on security systems, protecting their organisations by detecting and responding to cyber security threats.

Cisco and Palo Alto Cyber Security Packaged course timetable (February 2021 start)

Classes take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am to 5pm.

The first day of the course starts at 11am Monday 15 February 2021

This schedule is for guidance only. On the first day of each semester your instructor may provide you with the detailed schedule. However, the start and end date of the course will not be changed.

PCCSA Cybersecurity Foundation, Gateway and Essentials

Week 1

• Course Introduction
• Chapter 1 – Cybersecurity Landscape
• Chapter 2 – Cyberthreats
• Chapter 3 – Endpoint Security Basics
• Chapter 4 – Cyber-attack Techniques and Types

Week 2

• Chapter 5 – Wi-Fi and Advanced Persistent Threats
• Chapter 6 – Course Introduction, Welcome to PA Cyber Security Gateway
• Chapter 7 – The Connected Globe
• Chapter 8 – Physical, Logical, and Virtual Addressing
• Chapter 9 – Packet Encapsulation and Lifecycle

Week 3

• Chapter 10 – Network Security Models
• Chapter 11 – Cloud and Data Centre Security
• Chapter 12 – Network Security Technologies
• Chapter 13 – Endpoint Security
• Chapter 14 – Cloud, Virtualization, and Storage Security

Week 4

• Chapter 15 –  Networking Concepts
• Assessment/retakes

Week 5

• Chapter 16 – Course Introduction, Welcome to PA Cyber Security Essentials
• Chapter 17 –  Security Operating Platforms
• Chapter 18 –  Network Security
• Chapter 19 – Endpoint Protection
• Chapter 20 – Cloud Security

Week 6

• Chapter 21 – Application Framework and Logging Service
• Assessments/retakes

PCNSA Chapter Week Cyber Security Infrastructure Configuration, Prevention and Countermeasures

Week 7

• Course Introduction, Welcome to PCNSA Course
• Chapter 1 – Security Architecture Planning
• Chapter 2 – Infrastructure Device Configuration
• Chapter 3 – Cybersecurity Policy

Week 8

• Chapter 4 – Application Software Identification
• Chapter 5 – Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware/File Blocking
• Chapter 6 – Uniform Resource Locator Filtering

Week 9

• Chapter 7 – Decryption and Certificate Management
• Chapter 8 –  Virus Analysis
• Chapter 9 – End User ID

Christmas Break

Week 10

• Chapter 10 – Remote Access
• Chapter 11 – Monitor and Report
• Chapter 12 – High Availability

Week 11

• Assessments

CCNA Cyber Ops

Week 12

• Course Introduction, Welcome to CCNA Cybersec Ops
• Chapter 1 – Cybersecurity and the Security Operation Centre
• Chapter 2 –  Windows Operating System
• Chapter 3 – Linux Operating System

Week 13

• Chapter 4 – Network Protocols
• Chapter 5 – Network Communication Devices
• Chapter 6 – Principals of Network Security
• Chapter 7 – Network attacks: A deeper Look

Week 14

• Chapter 8 – Protecting the Network
• Chapter 9 – Public Key Infrastructure
• Chapter 10 –  Endpoint Security and Analysis
• Chapter 11 – Security Monitoring

Week 15

• Chapter 12 –  Intrusion Data Analysis
• Chapter 13 – Incident Response and Handling
• Assessments

Week 16

• Assessments
• Retakes

Where this course can take you

On completion of the course, the career opportunities could include being a junior network security or cyber security analyst/administrator roles within small to medium sized enterprises, large enterprises or security operations centres including BT, Vodafone, O2, Cisco Systems, Palo Alto Networks, Accenture, Bloomberg, Fortinet and more.

Payments and discounts

By paying for a place on the course you confirm you have received an offer letter accepting you onto the course, you meet the standard entry requirements for the course and that you agree to the School of Computing and Digital Media's standard terms and conditions for for professional and short courses.

Payment must be made in full via eShop before the start of the course. Full payment of the fee will qualify you to a 10% discount. Please contact us directly to find out more.

If we have offered you the option to split the payment, you are still committed to pay any outstanding fees as early as starting the second module, or when you are asked to do so. Please read our terms and conditions before proceeding with any payments. Current students and London Met alumni and staff are entitled to a 10% discount.

Please note that the cost does not cover the cost of sitting the certification exams.