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Level 5 · NCFE
Enrolling now NCFE Approved Qualification number 610/5971/7

NCFE Level 5 Diploma: Cloud Systems and Secure Networking

A Level 5 Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) in cloud and secure networking: cloud protocols and topologies, cyber threats and risk management, network performance, business continuity, security compliance and legislation, and secure system administration. 540 guided learning hours.

Duration: 540 guided learning hours, 1200 total qualification time, online

Level
Level 5
Qualification number
610/5971/7
Awarding organisation
NCFE
Regulated status
On the RQF, regulated by Ofqual
Guided learning hours
540 hours
Total qualification time
1200 hours
Delivery
100% online
Study pattern
540 guided learning hours, 1200 total qualification time, online
NCFE This qualification is awarded by NCFE and regulated by Ofqual

Course overview

This is a regulated Level 5 Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) (NCFE qualification number 610/5971/7). It gives you the knowledge, skills and behaviours to design, secure, optimise and administer cloud and networked IT systems, aligned to employer and industry requirements. On completion you can progress to employment in roles such as network engineer, cloud engineer or security engineer, or to further higher education.

You study six mandatory units totalling 540 guided learning hours and 120 credits. Unit 01 (Cloud networking protocols, services and topologies) builds the foundations: cloud computing concepts and deployment models (SaaS, IaaS, PaaS), IT system architecture and virtualisation, the OSI and TCP/IP conceptual models, routing and switching, network topologies and technologies, and core network services.

Unit 02 (Cyber security threats and risk management) covers threats to IT systems, threat actors and human factors, and threat modelling and mitigation using the confidentiality, integrity and availability (CIA) triad.

Unit 03 (Network performance, optimisation and maintenance) covers performance optimisation, proactive and reactive maintenance, troubleshooting methodologies and root cause analysis, and cloud management of wireless networks.

Unit 04 (Change management and business continuity in network infrastructure) covers failures and redundancy, integrating services, disaster recovery and business continuity, service-level agreements, and change management including Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and zero trust.

Unit 05 (Security compliance and legislation) covers UK legislation (UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Computer Misuse Act 1990), industry-recognised compliance frameworks such as ISO/IEC 27001 and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and international data protection law.

Unit 06 (Secure system administration) covers access control, patch management and system hardening, secure scripting and automation (including the role of artificial intelligence), and upgrading and testing components.

Each unit is internally assessed through a portfolio of evidence, including task-based assessments, and externally quality assured by NCFE. Units are graded pass, merit or distinction; to achieve the qualification you must gain all 120 credits at a minimum of a pass in every unit.

Delivery is 100% online with tutor support. Tutor support means you can email your tutor with a question and get an answer within 2 working days. Feedback on assessed work is separate and takes up to 10 working days.

What you will study

The units below, their unit reference numbers and their guided learning hours are taken directly from the NCFE qualification specification.

Unit Title Unit reference Hours
01 Cloud networking protocols, services and topologies (mandatory)
6 learning outcomes
  1. Explore cloud computing concepts and their use within organisations
    • P1 explain fundamental cloud computing concepts and their use by organisations
  2. Explore components of IT system architecture and their role in supporting organisational IT solutions
    • P2 describe key components of IT system architecture and their roles in delivering IT services
  3. Examine devices, applications, protocols and services within the context of conceptual models
    • P3 describe the purpose of the OSI and TCP/IP models and the protocols and services that operate at each layer
    • P4 describe how socket pairs are used to manage network
  4. Explore and apply the key concepts of routing and switching
    • P5 apply fundamental routing, switching, and network addressing concepts including required numerical conversions and the use of network diagrams and models
  5. Explore network topologies and networking technologies and their ability to provide a secure, scalable, and efficient IT infrastructure
    • P6 interpret basic stakeholder requirements to identify appropriate cloud networking topologies and technologies
  6. Examine the functions and configurations of core network services in supporting IT operations
    • P7 describe core network services in traditional and cloud- based systems
 R/651/6926 130
02 Cyber security threats and risk management (mandatory)
3 learning outcomes
  1. Explore how different cyber threats affect IT systems and infrastructure
    • P1 describe common cyber threats to IT systems and the tools used for vulnerability detection
    • P2 apply testing tools and techniques to identify vulnerabilities resulting from various cyber threats to IT systems and infrastructure
  2. Evaluate human and organisational factors in cyber threats and actor behaviour
    • P3 describe common threat actors, their motivations, and human factors that contribute to cyber threats
  3. Apply threat modelling and mitigation strategies to reduce organisational cyber risk
    • P4 install basic security configurations to mitigate common threats as part of a given risk treatment plan
 T/651/6927 90
03 Network performance, optimisation, and maintenance (mandatory)
4 learning outcomes
  1. Explore and apply techniques for optimising system performance
    • P1 apply identifying, analysing and recording tools and techniques for system performance optimisation and monitoring
  2. Explore network maintenance that ensures network functionality
    • P2 describe different types of network maintenance strategies and the importance of proactive maintenance for network functionality
  3. Apply troubleshooting methodologies for network and IT infrastructure
    • P3 employ basic diagnostic tools to gather information regarding a reported network issue
    • P4 describe how to use root cause analysis techniques to diagnose system performance issues
  4. Explore cloud management of wireless networks
    • P5 describe key factors affecting wireless network technologies in cloud computing and
 Y/651/6928 90
04 Change management and business continuity in network (mandatory)
4 learning outcomes
  1. Explore common failures within cloud infrastructure systems
    • P1 describe common causes of failures in cloud infrastructure systems and preventative measures for BC
  2. Explore how to integrate services into a network
    • P2 describe the role of network services in supporting organisational operations
  3. Explore the role of organisational procedures in maintaining compliance with industry practices and stakeholder requirements
    • P3 explain organisational procedures for BC, DR, and managing SLAs
  4. Explore and apply approaches to change management
    • P4 describe a common approach to IT change management
    • P5 describe approaches to the implementation of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)
 A/651/6929 90
05 Security compliance and legislation (mandatory)
3 learning outcomes
  1. Assess how current legislation influences operational practice
    • P1 describe key UK legislation relevant to cloud networking and its influence on operational practice
  2. Apply industry- recognised frameworks for cloud compliance
    • P2 explain key features of an industry- recognised compliance framework and their role in guiding secure cloud operations
  3. Assess the implications of international legislation and cloud provider policies on data handling
    • P3 describe key elements of an international data protection law and common cloud provider data policies affecting data handling
 H/651/6930 70
06 Secure system administration (mandatory)
4 learning outcomes
  1. Explore methods of configuring and administering network security
    • P1 describe common methods for configuring network security, including access control, patch management, and system hardening
  2. Explore secure scripting techniques to automate administrative tasks and performance
    • P2 describe common scripting languages and secure scripting practices for automating administrative tasks and performance in cloud environments
    • P3 describe how artificial intelligence (AI) may be used in network automation
  3. Explore system hardening measures and their impact on availability and security
    • P4 describe common system hardening techniques and their impact on system security and operational availability
  4. Apply techniques for upgrading and testing components
    • P5 explain a process for upgrading and testing system components in compliance with organisational policies
 J/651/6931 70
Total guided learning hours 540

Entry requirements

  • Learners should be aged 18 or above to undertake this qualification.
  • This is a Level 5 higher technical qualification, so learners will typically have achieved a relevant Level 3 qualification or hold equivalent knowledge, skills or industry experience in IT, networking or digital.
  • You will need a computer with internet access and, for the practical units, access to appropriate networking and cloud tools.
  • Registration is at the discretion of the centre, in accordance with equality legislation.
Take it with you

The course guide

Everything on this page as one document you can keep, print, or send to whoever is deciding with you.

  • All 6 units, with the hours behind each one
  • How you are assessed, and who checks the marking
  • How paying works, and what is due when
  • Entry requirements and where the qualification leads
Download the guide (PDF)

Generated from this qualification's record, so the units and hours in it are the ones on this page. The fee is here on the page rather than in the guide, so a saved copy cannot quote you an old one.

How you are assessed

Your work is assessed by our qualified assessors, internally quality assured, and externally quality assured by NCFE. Assessment is against the criteria published in the qualification specification, and your assessor tells you what is needed before you start each unit.

For what happens after you submit: who marks it, who checks the marking, how long feedback takes and what to do if you disagree with a decision, see how assessment works.

If you need an adjustment to how you are assessed, for a disability or any other reason, ask us before you begin. We arrange adjustments under our Reasonable Adjustments policy, and you can request one online.

How we assess and quality assure is set out in DAIS-POL-016 Assessment and Internal Quality Assurance.

How you study, and what you need

You study online through our virtual learning environment, which is where the teaching material, your assessment submissions, your feedback and your progress all live. You work at your own pace, with tutor support throughout. Everyone completes a short online induction before starting an assessed unit.

What you need to take part
Device Laptop or desktop computer
Operating system Windows 10 or macOS 10.15 or later
Browser Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, latest version
Internet speed 10 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload
Webcam Required for live sessions and identity verification
Microphone Required for live sessions

These are the minimum requirements published in DAIS-POL-024 Online Learning and Digital Delivery.

Support, and how quickly we reply

These are the response times we commit to in policy, not an aspiration.

What How Response
General questions Message your tutor in the VLE Within 2 working days
Assessment feedback Returned in the VLE or e-portfolio Within 10 working days of submission
Technical problems Technical support email Within 1 working day
Urgent welfare concerns Email to the Designated Safeguarding Lead Within 1 working day

Published in DAIS-POL-024 and DAIS-POL-009 Learner Support.

Registration and your certificate

We register you with NCFE before you begin any assessed unit, and we collect your Unique Learner Number as part of that. When your assessment decisions are finalised and quality assured, we claim your certificate through the NCFE portal and you are notified digitally. The certificate comes from NCFE, not from us.

Set out in DAIS-POL-008 Learner Registration and Certification.

Progression

Learners who achieve this qualification could progress to the following:

  • employment:
    • cloud engineer
    • cloud solutions architect
    • cyber security analyst
    • network engineer
    • security architect
  • further education:
    • related apprenticeships
  • higher education:
    • cloud computing degree
    • networking degree
    • cyber security degree
    • degree apprenticeship.

Other names for this qualification

The regulated title is NCFE Level 5 Diploma: Cloud Systems and Secure Networking, qualification number 610/5971/7. People also look for it as:

  • Level 5 Cloud Systems and Secure Networking
  • Cloud Systems and Secure Networking Level 5
  • NCFE Level 5 Cloud Systems and Secure Networking
  • Cloud Systems and Secure Networking HTQ
  • HTQ Cloud Systems and Secure Networking
  • 610/5971/7
  • NCFE 610/5971/7
  • Cloud Systems and Secure Networking course online
  • Cloud Systems and Secure Networking qualification UK
  • Cloud Systems and Secure Networking distance learning

If you arrived searching one of those, you are in the right place: they all describe this one qualification.

Fees and paying for it

Ways to pay
Pay in full, or spread the cost over 3 monthly instalments.
Nothing is paid when you apply. Payment is only taken after you accept an offer, and we will confirm the exact amounts with you before then. Fees and how to pay.
Investing in your own skills
Your fee pays for the part that gives a qualification its value: assessment by a qualified assessor, independent quality assurance, and a certificate issued by NCFE on the Regulated Qualifications Framework, regulated by Ofqual.
You can start now rather than waiting for a September intake, and study around work. Tutor replies come within 2 working days, and assessment feedback within 10.
You finish with evidence as well as knowledge: a portfolio of your own work, and a qualification that stays on your record for life. Of everything you can spend money on, your own skills are the one thing that follows you into every job you ever take.

Many employers will pay for this, and most people never ask. Send them the one-page case: what it costs, what it asks of the business, and how to check us independently. How employer funding works.

Common questions

Who awards NCFE Level 5 Diploma: Cloud Systems and Secure Networking, and how do I get my certificate?

NCFE Level 5 Diploma: Cloud Systems and Secure Networking is awarded by NCFE, an Ofqual-approved awarding organisation, and sits on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). The qualification number is 610/5971/7. The Data and AI School of London is an NCFE approved centre. We register you with NCFE before you start any assessed unit and collect your Unique Learner Number. Once your work is assessed and quality assured we claim your certificate through the NCFE portal, and it is issued by NCFE rather than by us.

How long does NCFE Level 5 Diploma: Cloud Systems and Secure Networking take?

This qualification carries 540 guided learning hours and a total qualification time of 1200 hours. It is studied online at your own pace, so how long it takes in calendar time depends on how much you can commit each week.

What do I need before I can start?

Learners should be aged 18 or above to undertake this qualification. We assess every applicant individually and will tell you if a different level would suit you better.

Can I study this entirely online?

Yes. Teaching, materials and assessment are all delivered through our Moodle-based virtual learning environment, so you can study from anywhere in the UK. You need a laptop or desktop computer, a current version of Chrome or Firefox, and a broadband connection of at least 10 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up. Tutor support is available throughout, and we answer questions within 2 working days and return assessment feedback within 10 working days of submission.

Can I enrol now, and when do I pay?

The fee is £3,495. Enrolment is open, so you can apply online today. Nothing is paid at application: payment is taken only after you accept an offer.

Not sure this is the right qualification?

Ask before you apply. We will say honestly if a different level would suit you better.

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