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Accreditation This programme carries accreditation from the CPD Certification Service (UK), the internationally recognised body that independently verifies the quality and relevance of professional development. Structured to align with the demands of a working professional, it leads to the award of a digital CPD certificate. |
The CPD Cybersecurity Certificate at Dorset College Dublin offers a direct and practical entry point into one of the most in-demand professions in the Irish and international jobs market. Cyber professionals are the first line of defence in our digital world, and skilled practitioners are actively sought after across Ireland and beyond. The programme develops analytical and problem-solving capabilities across threat detection, digital resilience, and risk management, equipping graduates to counter cyber attacks and protect critical digital assets with confidence.
The CPD Cybersecurity Certificate is a thirteen-week, one-evening-per-week programme designed for professionals with no prior technical background. The programme covers network security, encryption, threat detection, incident response, and ethical hacking fundamentals, all delivered live by a professional currently working in the field. Assessment is practical rather than exam-based, and on completion graduates hold a CPD-verified credential at Step 1 of a globally recognised pathway leading through CompTIA Security+, CySA+, and ultimately CISSP. According to Indeed.ie, cybersecurity roles in Ireland advertise starting salaries of €35,000 to €50,000, with experienced professionals earning €60,000 and above.
WHERE THIS COURSE TAKES YOU
This certificate is the first step in a globally recognised cybersecurity certification pathway.
STEP 1
CPD Cybersecurity Certificate, Dorset College Dublin
↓
STEP 2
CompTIA Security+
↓
STEP 3
CompTIA CySA+
↓
STEP 4
CISSP
Key skills covered in this programme
Thirteen modules covering the essential skills of professional cybersecurity practice.
✓ Threat awareness — Understand who is behind cyber attacks and what motivates them.
✓ Network security — Design secure networks and apply firewalls, IDS/IPS, and access controls.
✓ Encryption — Apply symmetric and asymmetric encryption to protect data and communications.
✓ Endpoint & access control — Detect and respond to threats at device level using EDR and Zero Trust.
✓ Monitoring & defence — Use Wireshark and SIEM tools to capture and analyse network traffic.
✓ Threat intelligence — Understand DNS tunnelling, SQL injection, and the STIX/TAXII frameworks.
✓ Business continuity — Apply BC and DR planning principles including RTO and RPO values.
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I would highly recommend Dorset College, it felt more personable than other colleges offering the same course. The staff were very nice to deal with and always responded to queries very quickly.
Alison Golden – Dorset College Dublin
Course module information
Module 1: Threat awareness
✓ Cyber threats & threat actors
Identify who is behind cyber attacks and understand what motivates them.
✓ Impact of cybercrime
Explore how cybercrime affects people, businesses, and organisations.
Module 2: Network security
✓ Secure network design
Understand the principles behind building networks that stay secure and reliable.
✓ Firewalls, IDS/IPS & access control
Explore how key security tools monitor, filter, and control network traffic.
Module 3: Network comms
✓ TCP & UDP protocols
Understand how data moves across networks and the differences between key transport protocols.
✓ TCP session management
Explore how TCP manages connections and ensures data is delivered accurately.
Module 4: Risk management
✓ Threat actor classification
Identify the different types of attackers and the techniques they commonly deploy.
✓ Malware & ransomware analysis
Understand how different forms of malicious software operate and cause damage.
Module 5: Encryption
✓ Cryptography fundamentals
Understand the role encryption plays in protecting sensitive data and communications.
✓ Symmetric & asymmetric encryption
Explore the key differences between encryption approaches and when each is used.
Module 6: Endpoint threats
✓ Malware & phishing threats
Recognise the most frequent attack vectors targeting devices and users.
✓ Antivirus & HIDS tools
Learn how endpoint security tools detect and respond to threats at device level.
Module 7: Endpoint security
✓ Endpoint protection & access control
Learn how endpoint security controls keep devices secure from intrusion.
✓ EDR, sandboxing & encryption
Evaluate tools used to detect, contain, and protect against endpoint threats.
Module 8: Network fundamentals
✓ Core network components
Understand the building blocks of networks and how data moves between systems.
✓ OSI & TCP/IP models
Explore the layered models that underpin modern network communication and security.
Module 9: Network threats
✓ Threats, vulnerabilities & risk
Establish a clear understanding of the core concepts that underpin cybersecurity practice.
✓ Hackers & indicators of compromise
Trace how attacker profiles have changed and learn to recognise signs of a breach.
Module 10: Monitoring & defence
✓ IDS, IPS, firewalls & endpoint tools
Explore the key technologies used to detect, block, and respond to security threats.
✓ Wireshark & SIEM monitoring
Gain hands-on experience with tools used to capture and analyse network traffic.
Module 11: Access control
✓ The CIA triad
Use Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability as the foundation for sound security decisions.
✓ Zero trust security model
Understand why organisations are moving to a never-trust, always-verify security approach.
Module 12: Threat intelligence
✓ DNS tunnelling & SQL injection
Examine how attackers exploit network services and application vulnerabilities.
✓ STIX & TAXII frameworks
Learn how structured threat data is shared across security teams and organisations.
Module 13: Business continuity
✓ BC & DR planning principles
Learn why Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery planning are essential for organisational resilience.
✓ RTO & RPO values
Determine recovery time and recovery point objectives to prioritise what matters most.
• Accredited by CPD Certification Service UK - A Globally Recognised Standard
• Independently Verified for Quality - Not Self-Certified
• A Curriculum Built Around What Employers Are Hiring For Right Now
• Practical Skills You Can Use in the Workplace From Day One
• A Certification That Strengthens Your CV and LinkedIn Profile
• 100% Online - No Commute, No Campus, No Compromise
• Fit Your Studies Around Work and Life, Not the Other Way Around
• Taught by Working Industry Professionals With Real-World Experience
• Everything You Need to Succeed Is Provided From Day One
• No Single High-Stakes Exam - Assessed Continuously Across Each Module
• Hands-On Exercises That Build Real Confidence, Not Just Theory
• Graduate With a CPD Certificate in Cyber Security
• An Internationally Recognised Certification Respected by Employers Worldwide
• Awarded by Dorset College Dublin - Established and Trusted Since 1983
• Co-Certified by CPD Certification Service UK - Independently Verified, Not Self-Awarded
• Build Skills That Are in Demand Across Every Industry
• Stand Out to Employers With a Verified Professional Credential
• Cyber Security Analyst - A Role With Strong Demand and Clear Progression
• Cyber Security Team Member / Lead - Grow Into a Leadership Position
• Advisory Consultant - Cyber Security - High-Value Expertise, Flexible Career Paths
• Cyber Security Engineer - One of the Most Sought-After Roles in Tech
• Deposit of €150 to secure your place
• Balance paid in full or split into 3 instalments
• Deposit: €150.00
• 1st Instalment: €300.00 - 21/07/2026
• 2nd Instalment: €300.00 - 21/08/2026
• 3rd Instalment: €300.00 - 12/09/2026
• Submit the online application in 3 minutes
• Photo ID not required to begin your application
• Our team will guide you through the next steps
• Start even if your documents aren't ready yet
• Admissions support at every stage
• Contact us at [email protected]
Q1
Do I need any prior experience to enrol?
None whatsoever. This course is designed from the ground up for beginners - no technical background, no prior qualifications, and no jargon on day one. You will be guided from the fundamentals through to job-ready skills at a pace that works for you.
Q2
What certification will I receive?
A digital CPD Certificate in Cybersecurity, independently awarded by The CPD Certification Service UK - one of the most widely respected professional development bodies globally. It is ready to add to your LinkedIn profile and share with employers the moment you complete the course.
Q3
How is the course delivered?
100% online via live, tutor-led classes every Tuesday evening from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. You attend in real time and can ask questions throughout - and if life gets in the way, every class is recorded and available to revisit from the following day.
Q4
How long is the course and when does it start?
13 weeks, commencing 21st July 2026 and concluding 27th October 2026. Just one evening per week - specifically structured so that working professionals can upskill without stepping back from their careers or other commitments.
Q5
What does it cost and are there payment options?
€1,050 after a 20% discount. A €150 deposit secures your place, with the balance split across three manageable instalments. No hidden fees - the price you see is the price you pay, from application through to certification.
Q6
What topics will I cover?
Threat detection, network security, encryption, risk management, ethical hacking fundamentals, incident response, endpoint security, and business continuity - a broad, practical curriculum that reflects exactly what employers in the cybersecurity sector are looking for right now.
Q7
Is a CPD certification recognised by employers?
Yes. CPD certification is independently verified and globally recognised as a mark of structured, quality-assured professional development. It is not self-certified - it carries the credibility of an external accreditation body, and it strengthens both your CV and your professional standing in the job market.
Q8
What careers can this course lead to?
Graduates commonly move into roles such as IT Security Specialist or Junior Network Security Engineer, with typical starting salaries of €35,000–€50,000 — above the Irish national graduate average - and strong progression as experience and qualifications grow.
Q9
Will I have direct access to a tutor?
Yes — and not just any tutor. Every session is led live by a working industry professional, currently active in the cybersecurity field. You can ask questions, seek clarification, and draw on their real-world experience throughout the course.
Q10
How large are the classes?
Dorset College deliberately keeps class sizes small - your tutor knows your name, not just your student number. This means more meaningful interaction, faster progress, and a learning experience that larger institutions simply cannot replicate.
Q11
What makes this course stand out?
Live delivery by working industry professionals, an internationally recognised CPD UK certification, small class sizes with direct tutor access, and a curriculum built around what employers are hiring for right now - all from a college with over 40 years of educational experience, designed for busy professionals who need flexibility without compromising on quality.
Q12
How do I apply?
Complete the online application form in under three minutes - no photo ID required to get started. A €150 deposit secures your place, with flexible payment options for the balance. Our admissions team will guide you through every step, even if your documents are not yet ready.
