NPA Cyber Security SCQF levels 4, 5 and 6
National Progression Awards (NPAs) assess a defined set of skills and knowledge in specialist vocational areas, linked to National Occupational Standards.
The NPAs in Cyber Security at SCQF levels 4, 5 and 6 provide foundation knowledge and skills in data security, digital forensics and ethical hacking — and provide a skills pipeline into the cyber security industry.
These awards are designed to raise awareness of cyber security and fill the current skills gap in this field. They will encourage learners to improve their cyber hygiene and enable them to identify security weakness safely, legally and ethically. They will also help learners to contribute more safely to virtual communities.
They are the first school-based national qualifications in cyber security to be developed and will prepare learners for further studies and future employment in this area.
Ethics and the law are fundamental aspects of these awards. Ethical considerations are included in every component Unit, and legislative considerations are included in all appropriate Units. The aim of the awards is to produce knowledgeable and skilled individuals who are aware of the potential misuses of, and unauthorised access to, computer systems but who use these competences for legal and ethical purposes.
The qualification is available through schools, colleges and training providers.
Find out about the HNC and HND Cyber Security
Qualification structure
Group Award Specification (587 KB)
NPA in Cyber Security at SCQF level 4 (18 SCQF credit points)
Group Award code: GK7W 44
NPA in Cyber Security at SCQF level 5 (18 SCQF credit points)
Group Award code: GK7X 45
NPA in Cyber Security at SCQF level 6 (18 SCQF credit points)
Group Award code: GK7Y 46
The NPAs in Cyber Security at SCQF levels 4, 5 and 6 consists of three mandatory Units (18 SCQF credit points).
How to assess
Assessment of this award will be a combination of practical and knowledge assessments under closed- and open-book assessment conditions. It is recommended that centres refer to the assessment and Evidence Requirements for each Unit.
Assessment/e-assessment support packs will be available for this qualification later this year.
The delivery of the award is at the individual centre's discretion.
Deliver this qualification
Thinking of working with us?
Existing customer?
Where can you take this course?
Why study this qualification
The NPA is suitable for:
- learners wishing to develop and enhance cyber skills to support their learning across a wide range of curricular areas
- S4 to S6 school pupils who will undertake the qualification as a broadening of the Computing Science curriculum
- students at colleges who will be using the NPAs within full or part-time college programmes such as part of a NC Computing qualification
- adults returning to education with an interest in developing fundamental skills relevant to accessing a career in cyber security
- employees in the industry wishing to gain knowledge in cyber security and expand their range of specialisms
Access
Entry is at the discretion of the centre. Learners would benefit from having attained the skills, knowledge and understanding required by one or more of the following or equivalent qualifications and/or experience:
Basic IT Skills before beginning the SCQF level 4 Units. This may be evidenced by possession of:
- H3LJ 09 Computer Basics (SCQF level 3) or equivalent qualifications or experience.
For SCQF level 5 and 6 Units it would be an advantage for learners to have completed the Units at levels 4 and 5 respectively.
Employment and progression
This qualification is available at three levels in a hierarchical structure and learners may progress to the next level if they wish to continue their studies.
On completion of each award, learners may progress to one of a number of further qualifications in this, or a related, area, for example, NC Digital Media Computing. There are also opportunities to progress to Higher National or degree courses.
If learners possess other qualifications and have previous work experience in Computing, this award may also lead to employment in a computer security role.
Qualification structure
Group Award Specification (587 KB)
NPA in Cyber Security at SCQF level 4 (18 SCQF credit points)
Group Award code: GK7W 44
NPA in Cyber Security at SCQF level 5 (18 SCQF credit points)
Group Award code: GK7X 45
NPA in Cyber Security at SCQF level 6 (18 SCQF credit points)
Group Award code: GK7Y 46
The NPAs in Cyber Security at SCQF levels 4, 5 and 6 consists of three mandatory Units (18 SCQF credit points).