Cyber Defender & Responder Level 4 Apprenticeship

The Cyber Defender & Responder apprentice will use investigation techniques and analytics skills to defend against and respond to cyber incidents within the network environment.

QA's exclusive partnership with Circadence Corporation, the pioneer of the hands-on gamified learning platform Project Ares®, allows us to uniquely incorporate hands-on scenario training into our cyber security apprenticeships. The Project Ares platform offers a totally immersive experience, using automated features to support skills adoption with an in-game advisor, Athena, who advises our players through scenario-based challenges. The platform scenarios replicate the unpredictability and escalating levels of complexity that cyberattacks can present. It drives high levels of engagement through leaderboards and badges, elements used widely in the gaming world. 

QA’s Cyber Defender & Responder Level 4 apprenticeship programme enables the apprentice to:

• Develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills in a safe, but realistic environment
• Apply all of the acquired skills throughout the programme, with added scoring of players and opponent actions with replay for object assessment
• Take part in hands-on training and active-learning models that increase retention rates by 75% so that cyber apprentices can prepare for real-world challenges

Learners benefit from a flexible and blended learning journey, helping them apply cyber security solutions to a range of real-life scenarios – gaining valuable workplace skills faster.

The typical duration of the Cyber Security Defender & Responder Level 4 programme is 16 months, plus a 4-month end-point assessment. View the modules in order below, including Introduction to Cyber Security, Networking Fundamentals, Operating Systems, Security Foundations, Security Management, Active Defence, Cloud Security, Programming and Scripting, and Security Blue Team.