Specialist Diploma in Cybersecurity Practice

Offered by School of InfoComm Technology

Post-Diploma / 1 Year / TGS-2021005345

Indicate Interest
Note: Please note that all applications for programmes from Oct Sem 2023 will be done via STEP. Use your Singpass to activate your STEP account. Click on the apply button to proceed to STEP. To receive an alert about the future runs for this course, please click on the INDICATE INTEREST button. Thank you.
Course Information
Learning Outcomes
Course Schedule
Lesson Plan
Certification
Entry Requirements
Course Fees
Indicate Interest
Contact us for more information

Course Information

The Specialist Diploma in Cybersecurity Practice (SDCP) course begins by training students in foundational cloud and server administration, and IT networking skills, which are essential to embark on a career in cybersecurity. Students are then trained in core offensive and defensive skills such as vulnerability assessment and penetration testing, digital forensics investigation, cyber incident handling and response, and cyber governance, risk, and compliance.

This course is intended for participants who want to reskill into cybersecurity career, but do not have experience in IT Networking and server administration.

The SDCP course equips students with technical skills and competencies listed in Skills Framework (SFw) for ICT – Cyber Security Track, to carry out critical work functions and key tasks, for the job role of an Associate Security Analyst, or for an entry level/junior position in the following job roles: Cyber Risk Analyst, Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing Analyst, Security Operations Analyst, Forensics Investigator, and Security Engineer.

Learning Outcomes

  • Respond to cyber security queries.
  • Implement cyber security standards and policies.
  • Facilitate cyber security compliance.
  • Perform cyber risk assessment activities based on risk assessment plans.
  • Implement cyber security systems.
  • Optimize cyber security system performance.
  • Conduct vulnerability assessment and penetration testing activities.
  • Maintain cyber security operations.
  • Monitor cyber security systems.
  • Implement cyber incident response strategies.
  • Respond to cyber security incidents.
  • Conduct forensic analysis and investigations to determine the causes of security incidents.

Course 
Schedule

Course Date: TBC
Application Period: TBC
Application Outcome Date: One week after application closes
Class Day(s): Tue, Thu & Sat
Delivery Mode: Home-based Learning (Async & Sync)
Venue: Online

Schedule for Oct 2023 intake:
Semester 1: (PDC 1 – 4 modules): 16 Sep 2023 – 8 Feb 2024
Semester 2: (PDC 2 – 4 modules): 16 Mar 2024 – 17 Aug 2024

Detailed course schedule as follow:

Tuesday, 6:00pm to 10:00pm (9 x Evening Sessions)
Thursday, 6:00pm to 10:00pm (9 x Evening Sessions)
Saturday, 9:00am to 6:00pm (32 x Full-Day Sessions)
Saturday, 9:00am to 3:00pm (8 x Half-Day Sessions)

Total modules: 8
Modules are taught sequentially, one module is fully completed before going on to the next module.

Each module is taught across:
4 x Consecutive Full-Day Saturday Sessions
1 x Evening Session on Tuesday
1 x Evening Session on Thursday
1 x Half-Day Saturday Session
Total: 7 Sessions (45 hrs)

Assessment Structure in each module:
2 x Quizzes: 30%
2 x Homework Submissions: 30%
1 x Group Assignment (3 to 4 members): 40%

Please see course schedule here. Please zoom in to view the schedule in detail.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic reserves the right to reschedule / cancel any programme, modify the fees and amend information without prior notice.

Lesson Plan

Post-Diploma Certificate in Cloud & Server Administration and Networking (TGS-2021005346)

The post-diploma certificate in cloud & server administration and networking trains students in essential principles of cybersecurity fundamentals, IT network fundamentals, network security, Windows and Linux server administration and security, and cloud computing, administration, and security fundamentals.

Module
Networking & IT Infrastructure
The Networking & IT Infrastructure module covers topics such as network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, IP services, and security fundamentals. Students will learn how to install, operate, configure, maintain, and verify basic IPv4 and IPv6 networks. The module covers configuring network components such as switches, routers, and wireless LAN controllers; managing network devices; troubleshooting network problem; identifying basic security threats; and implementing network security, standards, and protocols.
Module
Windows & Linux Server Administration
The Windows & Linux Server Administration module covers the latest server technologies including virtualization, security, network-attached storage, and disaster recovery. Students will learn about the concepts and the technologies of Windows Server administration, Windows-based networking, Active Directory, account management, and system recovery tools and concepts. Students will also learn about common tasks in major distributions of Linux, including the Linux command line, basic maintenance, installing and configuring workstations, security, Linux troubleshooting & diagnostics, networking, and automation and scripting.
Module
Cloud Systems Administration
The Cloud Systems Administration module covers cloud configurations and deployments, management, maintenance, security, and troubleshooting. Students will learn to execute workload migrations to the cloud; allocate cloud resources; apply necessary changes based on performance data; apply appropriate technologies and processes, including automation and orchestration; implement appropriate security controls; and troubleshoot capacity, automation, connectivity and security issues related to cloud implementations.
Module
Cybersecurity Fundamentals
The Cybersecurity Fundamentals module covers baseline skills needed to perform core cybersecurity functions. It provides an overview of the various domains of cyber security and the essential principles of network security; compliance and operational Security; threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities; application, data and host security; access control and integrity management; and cryptography and PKI.
Post-Diploma Certificate in Core Offensive and Defensive Cybersecurity Skills (TGS-2021005350)

The post-diploma certificate in core offensive and defensive cybersecurity skills trains students in ethical hacking and penetration testing of networks, systems, web applications and cloud applications. It covers SOC operations, cyber incident detection, handling, and response, cyber forensics investigation of hacking attacks on IT systems, and cyber governance, risk & compliance for administering and managing IT and cloud computing systems.

Module
Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing
The Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing module covers hacking into networks, systems, web applications and cloud, with a goal to assess the potential impact and risk of an actual cyberattack, and to deploy necessary countermeasures. Students will learn techniques and tools malicious hackers use, but in a lawful and legitimate manner. Students will also learn the principles of ethical hacking; penetration testing methodology; reconnaissance of IT and cloud infrastructure; scanning for network, systems, applications, and cloud vulnerabilities; to develop attack vectors to exploit the vulnerabilities; and countermeasures to mitigate the risks of exploitation.
Module
Cybersecurity Operations
The Cybersecurity Operations module covers the fundamentals of security operations center (SOC) operations. Students will learn log management and correlation; Security information and event management (SIEM) deployment; cyber incident detection; and incident response. Additionally, students will learn to manage various SOC processes, procedures, technologies, and workflows; monitor and analyse logs and alerts from a variety of different technologies across multiple platforms (IDS/IPS, end-point protection, servers, and workstations); develop threat cases (correlation rules), and create reports: plan, organize, and perform threat monitoring and analysis; and escalate incidents to appropriate teams for additional assistance.
Module
Cyber Forensics Investigation
The Cyber Forensics Investigation module covers the process of detecting hacking attacks on IT and cloud computing systems, and properly extracting evidence to report the crime and conduct audits to prevent future attacks. Students will learn to perform incident response and computer forensics; Identify data, images and/or activity which may be the target of an investigation; perform electronic evidence collections; perform digital forensic acquisitions as an analyst; conduct thorough examinations of computer hard disk drives, and other electronic data storage media; Utilize forensic tools and investigative methods; and maintain audit trail (i.e., chain of custody) and evidence integrity.
Module
Cybersecurity Risk & Compliance
The Cybersecurity Risk & Compliance module covers relevant IT and cloud frameworks which ensure that information assets are protected within an organization. Students will learn processes and policies for administering and managing a company’s IT systems that follow the compliance framework. Students will also learn concepts on risk management process, risk analysis and mitigation; and to evaluate risks against the company’s critical assets and deploy safeguards to mitigate them. Compliance frameworks such as PDAP, Cyber Security Act, PCIDSS, ISO 17799/27002, and COBIT will be covered.

Certification

1 Specialist Diploma
2 Post-Diploma Certificates
8 Modules

Certification

You are required to complete 2 post-diploma certificates within 2-year validity period to be awarded the Specialist Diploma qualification.


Authorized learning materials for the following professional certifications would be provided as part of this course. However, in addition to what is covered in this course, students would have to put in extra preparation, time, effort, and dedication, to attempt these professional certification exams. Exam vouchers can be purchased at academic pricing.

• Cisco CCNA

• CompTIA Linux+

• CompTIA Cloud+

• EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

• EC-Council Certified SOC Analyst (CSA)

• EC-Council Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)


Entry Requirements

Applicants with any of the following qualifications are invited to apply for the course:

Applicants with any of the following qualifications are invited to apply for the course:

A local Polytechnic Diploma or a recognized Degree in Information and Digital Technologies, and/or Engineering.

Applicants who do not meet the entry requirements may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis, such as, based on evidence of at least 2 years of relevant working experience; or supporting evidence of competency readiness in the field of Information and Digital Technologies, and/or Engineering. Suitable applicants who are shortlisted will have to go through an interview and/or entrance test.

Required Specifications for Laptop Computers

Mandatory Laptop specifications:
• Processor: Intel Core i5 9xxx or equivalent (Intel i7 recommended)
• RAM: 16 GB (32 GB recommended)
• Storage Device: 1 TB (2 TB recommended)
• Operating System: Windows 10/11
• Communication platform: Microsoft TEAMS (mandatory to have this tool installed in the laptop)

 

Course Fees

Funding period for this course is from 1 Jun 2021 to 31 May 2024.

Note:

  • The fees below are per semester. For full course fees throughout the semesters, refer here.
  • The fees below are inclusive of GST.
  • The fees below are determined based on prevailing funding policies and subject to review and revision.
  • The funding period of this course is from 1 Jun 2021 to 31 May 2024.

SkillsFuture Credit
This course is eligible for SkillsFuture Credit.

All Singaporeans aged 25 years and above can use their $500 SkillsFuture Credit from the government to pay f​or a wide range of courses. The credits can be used on top of existing course fee subsidies/funding. This is only applicable for self-sponsored applicants and must be applied via the SkillsFuture Portal. More details on the SkillsFuture Credit Claims will be advised upon admission into the course. Find out more about SkillsFuture Credit here.

Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP)
NTUC members enjoy 50% unfunded course fee support for up to $250 each year (or up to $500 for NTUC members aged 40 years old and above) when you sign up for courses supported under UTAP (Union Training Assistance Programme). Please visit e2i’s website to find out more.

Skills-Based Modular Courses (SBMCs) are bite-sized part-time courses for individuals to acquire new skills or deepen relevant skills, without the need to pursue a full diploma.  Refer here for course fees for SBMCs.

Applicants / Eligibility Fees
Singapore Citizens aged below 40$667.36
Singapore Citizens aged 40 & above$459.45
Singapore Citizens sponsored by SME$459.45
Singapore PRs $1827.36
Singapore PRs sponsored by SME$473.76
Full course fee for SC (for repeat, deferred modules)$4449.07
Full course fee (for repeat, deferred modules)$4568.40