Online, self-study with tutor support
There will be a number of Penetration testing courses run throughout 2024/2025.
Course Summary:
The Penetration Testing course delivered by Abertay University develops a critical understanding of the tools used to examine the security of a device or network. Students will systematically investigate a computer network for possible vulnerabilities.
The lectures and practicals will assist students in developing an understanding of the shape, history and the contemporary dynamic of Penetration Testing. The course is underpinned by legal, ethical and professional issues. Students will produce a report that presents their findings and suggests how this information could be protected.
The course employs a problem-first and practice-led learning approach. Penetration Testing techniques and methodologies will be introduced through a practical and exploratory approach and within the context of developing a secure system. This activity will constitute 75% of the contact time. Once expertise is established the general contribution of the technique or methodology to the wider area of Penetration Testing will be reinforced in theory.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course the student should be able to :
- Undertake research to select appropriate methods of investigating the security of a computer network.
- Evaluate and assess the security of a typical computer system.
- Document details of an ethical hacking methodology.
- By the end of the period of study be exam ready to take the COMPTIA PenTest + examination if you wish to do so.
Course Outline:
- Footprinting - Determining the location of a company. Examining computer networks using passive techniques.
- Search Engines - Using Search Engines to find ethical hacking information. Information limiting.
- Scanning - Using tools to scan for IP addresses and operating systems in use on a network or in an organisation. Identify services that are running on a network. Different types of port scans and useful tools.
- Enumeration - Tools and techniques for enumerating networks and identifying exploitable shares, usernames and Email addresses.
- System Hacking - Privilege Escalation, Keystroke Loggers. Mitigations against keyloggers. Operating System and Application Hacking. Examining and exploiting System flaws. Understanding the need to install and patch applications.
- Vulnerabilities - What are the principal vulnerabilities that computer systems are exposed to? How are they exploited? What are the techniques that can be used to assess them and the security of a system?
- Development of supporting documentation - Example-led consideration of how to write clearly and concisely.
Costs:
The programme is free to learners and fully remote.
Learning hours:
- Pre-course learning - this will be provided on registration and ahead of the Abertay course. The amount of time required for this will vary depending on your knowledge and experience but approximately 25 hours learning in total.
- Abertay course (8 weeks) - you will need to set aside 20-25 hours each week during the course, as there will be guided learning and exercises to complete weekly prior to the following week plus a final piece of coursework. There will be the opportunity to join tutor-led sessions weekly but these are voluntary.
- If learners wish to pursue a COMPTIA PenTest+ certification at the end of the course, there will be a requirement to complete a further 30+ hours of online learning after the course. You will have a further 4 weeks to complete this learning and the final exam certificate.
Who is it for?
The course is aimed at members of the Armed Forces community seeking knowledge and employment in Penetration Testing roles.
Students would need to have a basic knowledge of:
- Networking (including an understanding of the OSI model and TCP/IP protocols).
- Programming (basic programming constructs and knowledge of object orientation features including data protection- public private types and constructors, getters/setters).
- A command line interface and basic linux commands.
Access to preparatory online learning modules which will include the topics listed above will be sent to those who wish to continue on this pathway. This learning must be completed prior to starting the Abertay course.
How is it assessed and what certifications will I receive?
Students will be awarded 20 academic credits on completion of the course. There is no exam as part of the Abertay course but standards will be measured through coursework and a final submission paper. Students will be provided with a virtual network and will be required to attempt to penetrate this network. The coursework documentation will describe the process that they have completed in order to identify vulnerabilities, how they breached the network defences and describe appropriate countermeasures that the network manager could implement to reduce these vulnerabilities.
In addition, students have the option of taking the COMPTIA PenTest+ Certification.
What happens once I’ve completed the training?
Once you have gained the knowledge, skills and professional certification the next step for many people will be to apply that learning in a practical and commercial environment. SaluteMyJob is working with a number of employer partners to search for paid work placement opportunities or, if you already have the relevant experience, employment into permanent roles.
Course dates:
20 January 2025
We will discuss which course date is most suitable for you when we speak to you individually after application.
If you are interested in applying for one of our Penetration testing courses please apply below.
