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Accreditation Accredited by the CPD Certification Service, this programme is independently recognised for delivering high-quality professional development training. |
Start your cybersecurity career in 13 weeks with live online training designed for beginners. Build practical cybersecurity skills you can apply in real-world IT and security roles.
The CPD Accredited Professional Certificate in Cybersecurity at Dorset College Dublin is designed for beginners and career changers, with no prior cybersecurity, coding, or networking experience required. You'll learn how to identify risks, strengthen digital resilience, and respond to cyber incidents with confidence. Covering key areas such as encryption, network security, threat detection, risk management, incident response, and ethical hacking, you will work with practical cybersecurity software – Wireshark, SIEM, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, endpoint protection, and encryption – to identify threats, monitor networks, and strengthen system security. Premium resources include access to the EBSCO Online Library.
All classes are recorded, so you can review the material at any time on the learning platform. On successful completion, you will receive a Digital Professional CPD Certificate in Cybersecurity and a strong foundation for progression toward certifications such as CompTIA Security+ and CySA+.
Next intake starts Tuesday 23 February 2027
13 weeks · Live online · Evening classes
Your pathway into cybersecurity:
STEP 1
Professional Certificate in Cybersecurity, Dorset College Dublin
STEP 2 RECOMMENDED NEXT STEP
CompTIA Security+
STEP 3 RECOMMENDED NEXT STEP
CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
Steps 2–3 are external CompTIA certifications, taken separately after this course.
Key skills covered in this programme:
Thirteen modules focused on the practical skills, tools and tasks used in entry-level IT and security roles.
✓ Threat detection – recognise malware, phishing and breach indicators, and assess their business risk.
✓ Security monitoring – capture and analyse network traffic with Wireshark and interpret SIEM alerts.
✓ Identity, endpoint & Zero Trust – control who and what devices can access systems.
✓ Network fundamentals – how data moves across networks.
✓ Network security – combine firewalls, IDS/IPS and endpoint tools into a layered defence.
✓ Threat intelligence – recognise common attacks and how STIX/TAXII is used to share intelligence..
✓ Encryption – how symmetric and asymmetric encryption protect data and communications.
✓ Business continuity – build a BC/DR plan that decides what an organisation must recover first.
Reserve your place on the February intake
Apply online in under 4 minutes. Admissions will then guide you through the next steps, including payment options and the instalment plan.
€1,310 €1,050
Entry-level roles this course can support:
Graduates are equipped for roles such as:
✓ Junior Security Analyst – monitoring alerts and investigating suspicious activity.
✓ IT Security Specialist – managing security tools, access controls and policies.
✓ Junior Network Security Support – assisting with secure networks, monitoring and access control.
✓ IT Support or Administrator - with security responsibilities – the route many graduates take.
The CPD course was an excellent learning experience, and the tutor helped me develop valuable knowledge and practical skills in cybersecurity. Since completing the course, I have secured a position with a large company in the food production industry, working as an IT Administrator and Cybersecurity Specialist, where I can apply my skills and continue to develop my career in IT and cybersecurity.
Jamie Davis Grantham – Dorset College CPD Student
Funding available:
Intreo Training Support Grant – up to €1,000
Eligible jobseekers may apply for this grant towards the course fee, subject to Intreo approval.
Learn more: Training Support Grant (TSG) on gov.ie
Chat with Admissions on WhatsApp, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm.
✓ 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.
✓ 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.
✓ 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.
✓ Threat actor classification - Identify the different types of attackers, the techniques they deploy and the level of risk each presents to an organisation.
✓ Malware & ransomware analysis - Understand how malicious software operates and assess the damage and business risk it can cause.
✓ 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.
✓ 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.
✓ 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.
✓ Core network components
Consolidate your understanding of the building blocks of networks and how data moves between systems.
✓ OSI & TCP/IP models
Map the security tools covered so far onto the layered models that underpin network communication.
✓ Threats, vulnerabilities & risk
Apply the relationship between threats, vulnerabilities and risk to real network scenarios.
✓ Hackers & indicators of compromise
Trace how attacker profiles have changed and learn to recognise signs of a breach.
✓ IDS, IPS, firewalls & endpoint tools
Bring network and endpoint defences together into a layered monitoring strategy.
✓ Wireshark & SIEM monitoring
Gain hands-on experience with tools used to capture and analyse network traffic.
✓ The CIA triad
Apply Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability to access control decisions.
✓ Zero trust security model
Understand why organisations are moving to a never-trust, always-verify security approach.
✓ DNS tunnelling & SQL injection
Recognise the signatures of these common attacks and how they feed into threat intelligence.
✓ STIX & TAXII frameworks
Learn how structured threat data is shared across security teams and organisations.
✓ 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.
Do I need any prior experience to enrol?
No prior cybersecurity experience is needed. The course is built for complete beginners and takes you from the fundamentals through to job-ready skills, though some general IT familiarity is helpful.
What certification will I receive?
A digital CPD Accredited Cybersecurity Professional Certificate, awarded by Dorset College Dublin and independently accredited by The CPD Certification Service UK.
How is the course delivered?
100% online via live, tutor-led classes every Tuesday evening, 6:30pm – 9:30pm, in a class of no more than 10 students. Every class is recorded and available to revisit from the following day.
How long is the course and when does it start?
13 weeks, from 23 February to 18 May 2027, one evening per week.
What does it cost and are there payment options?
€1,050 for this intake, with no hidden fees. A €150 deposit secures your place and the balance can be paid in full or in three instalments – see Flexible Payment Terms below for dates.
Is a CPD certification recognised by employers?
Yes. CPD certification is independently verified by an external accreditation body and is recognised by employers in Ireland, the UK and internationally.
What careers can this course lead to?
Entry-level roles such as Junior Security Analyst, IT Security Specialist or IT Support with security responsibilities, and a foundation for progressing to CompTIA Security+ and CySA+. See the roles and pathway sections above.
How do I apply?
Complete the online application form in about three minutes – no photo ID is needed to start. Our admissions team will then guide you through the next steps.
• CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is the recognised framework for professional training beyond formal education
• The CPD Certification Service UK assesses the course content, structure and delivery before accreditation is granted
• Assessment: [continuous assessment through practical assignments]
• Award: Digital CPD Accredited Cybersecurity Professional Certificate, issued on successful completion
• Entry-level roles: Junior Security Analyst, IT Security Specialist, IT Support with security responsibilities (see roles section above)
• Industry certifications: a foundation for CompTIA Security+, then CompTIA CySA+
• Longer-term progression: with experience and further certification, towards Security Analyst, Security Engineer and Consultant roles
• Academic progression: graduates may apply for Dorset College's computing degree programmes [confirm with admissions which programmes and any entry conditions]
• Non-refundable deposit of €150.00 to secure your place
• Balance paid in full or split into 3 instalments
• Deposit: €150.00
• 1st Instalment: €300.00 - 23/02/2027
• 2nd Instalment: €300.00 - 23/03/2027
• 3rd Instalment: €300.00 - 23/04/2027
• Complete the online application form – about 3 minutes, no photo ID or documents needed to start
• Pay the €150 deposit to secure your place; admissions will guide you through the rest
• Questions? Email [email protected] or message us on WhatsApp
• Suitable for complete beginners – some general IT familiarity is helpful but not required
• B2+ proficiency in English is required
