Qualification Structure

The Qualifi Level 5 Extended Diploma in Networking and Cyber Security is a qualification accredited on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). The qualification has a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 2,400 hours, 1,200 Guided Learning Hours (GLH), and 240 credits, providing comprehensive learning across networking, cyber security and related IT disciplines.

Assessment for the Qualifi Level 5 Extended Diploma in Networking and Cyber Security is assignment-based. Learner work is assessed in accordance with Qualifi assessment and quality assurance requirements to demonstrate the required knowledge, understanding and practical application of networking and cyber security concepts.

To achieve the qualification, learners must successfully complete all 11 mandatory units.

Core Study Units

Unit 1: Cyber Security Threat and Risk

Learning outcomes:

• Understand complex business cyber security threats and risks.
• Understand recent mega breaches and explain malware and ransomware attacks.
• Understand how threats and malicious hackers are advancing and developing customised intrusion tools.

Unit 2: Network Security and Data Communications

Learning outcomes:

• Understand how computers and digital devices communicate with one another over a network.
• Understand, at a strategic level, how computer networking, web applications and software can be exploited.
• Understand methods of security prevention and systems hardening.
• Understand key network security and systems resilience tools, terminology and models.

Unit 3: Database Security and Computer Programming

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the broad range of information security controls to protect databases.
• Understand types of database categories of control.
• Understand the underpinning concepts and models of cloud-based storage solutions.
• Understand the relationship between computer programming and computer hacking.
• Understand the ‘interpreted’ general-purpose programming language, Python.

Unit 4: Incident Response, Investigations and Forensics

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the role and composite parts of Incident Response as a business function and how CERTS operate.
• Understand aligned task/task forces for Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery and Crisis Management.
• Understand how major computer incidents are formally investigated.
• Understand laws and guidance in relation to the conduct of planned and structured major incident investigations.

Unit 5: Security Strategy: Laws, Policies and Implementation

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the concept of strategy, strategic management, planning and buy-in in relation to cyber security.
• Understand how legislation, formal industry standards, training and accreditations support cyber security.
• Understand how to implement Plan, Do, Check and Act security and risk management policies.
• Understand the future legal and technical environment and the impact on cyber security planning and digital risk management.
• Understand how to plan and design a security audit for a cyber network.

Unit 6: Physical IT Networking

Learning outcomes:

• Apply the components of physical networking.
• Understand the components and interfaces between different physical networking attributes.
• Install security protocols in a physical network.

Unit 7: Cryptography

Learning outcomes:

• Understand key cryptographic principles and modes.
• Understand the standards, regulations and laws that apply to business and government organisations in relation to encryption.
• Design an encryption plan and courses of action for a given organisation.

Unit 8: Digital Investigations and Forensics

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the core principles of digital investigations.
• Apply the types of tools that support professional digital investigations at a strategic level.
• Plan for investigation and forensics teams.
• Understand the importance of safeguarding evidential integrity in digital

Unit 9: System Administration

Learning outcomes:

• Understand system administration.
• Perform user management and file system management.

Unit 10: Network Routing and Switching

Learning outcomes:

• Understand switching.
• Perform routing.

Unit 11: Network Design and Administration

Learning outcomes:

• Understand network design.
• Configure a local area network and a VLAN.
• Administer a network.

Who Is This Qualification For?

The Qualifi Level 5 Extended Diploma in Networking and Cyber Security is designed for learner seeking to build advanced knowledge and practical capability in computer networking, cyber security and IT infrastructure. It is particularly relevant to:

• Aspiring Cyber Security Professionals – learner aiming to develop careers in cyber security, information security, security operations and digital protection.
• Networking Professionals – learner looking to strengthen knowledge of network design, routing, switching, administration and network security.
• IT Support and Systems Professionals – learner seeking to progress into technical roles involving system administration, infrastructure and network management.
• Computing and IT Learner – those progressing from Level 3 or equivalent qualifications who want to develop specialist knowledge at Level 5.
• Career Changers – learner transitioning into networking, cyber security or wider IT infrastructure roles and seeking a structured qualification.
• Technical Professionals – those who want to develop knowledge of areas such as cryptography, incident response, digital forensics, database security and cyber security risk.
• Learner Planning Further Study – those seeking an academic progression route towards higher-level study in networking, cyber security, computing or related disciplines, subject to the requirements of the receiving institution.

The qualification is particularly suitable for learner who want to combine networking expertise with cyber security knowledge, creating a broader foundation for progression across modern IT and digital security environments.

Career Opportunities

The Qualifi Level 5 Extended Diploma in Networking and Cyber Security provides learner with comprehensive knowledge of computer networking, cyber security and IT infrastructure. The qualification develops technical and analytical skills across network security, cyber security threats and risk, system administration, network routing and switching, cryptography, digital investigations, database security and network design. It helps learner understand how networked systems are designed, managed, secured and protected against evolving cyber threats. It is suitable for learner in the UK and internationally seeking to develop careers in networking, cyber security, IT infrastructure, systems administration or related technology fields, as well as those progressing to higher-level qualifications or degree-level study in computing and cyber security.

Future Progression

The Qualifi Level 5 Extended Diploma in Networking and Cyber Security provides learner with a strong foundation for further academic study and career development in networking, cyber security and IT infrastructure. The qualification develops knowledge of network security, cyber security threats and risk, system administration, network routing and switching, cryptography, digital investigations, database security and network design, creating a broad technical foundation relevant to modern digital environments.

Academically, learner may progress to higher-level qualifications or degree-level study in areas such as cyber security, computer networking, computing, information technology, information security and related disciplines, subject to the entry requirements of the receiving institution.

Professionally, this diploma can support progression towards roles such as Network Administrator, Cyber Security Analyst, Network Support Technician, Systems Administrator, Network Engineer, IT Infrastructure Technician, Security Operations Centre Analyst, Cyber Security Technician, Digital Forensics Technician and Incident Response Analyst, depending on experience, technical capability and employer requirements. The knowledge developed through the qualification supports understanding of network infrastructure, security controls, cyber threats, system administration, digital investigations and the protection of organisational information and technology systems.