SQA cyber qualifications for a growing digital sector

From home life to businesses, everyone needs to be cyber aware and resilient in a growing digital world. That’s why SQA offers a wide range of qualifications in the cyber and computing sector.

Learners who use SQA’s cyber portfolio have a clear pathway into the cyber security workforce. These qualifications have been developed in partnership with leading employers, college lecturers and experts from across the cyber sector. They include:

• National Unit Cyber Security (SCQF Level 3) – A new stand-alone unit covering the foundations of cyber security for young learners, developed in partnership with Education Scotland.

• NPA Cyber Security (SCQF levels 4, 5 & 6) – These were the first schoolbased National Qualifications in cyber security developed in Europe, preparing learners for further studies and future employment in this sector.

• HNC Cyber Security (SCQF level 7)

– SQA’s entry level Higher National qualification develops learners’ knowledge, understanding, and skills in topics such as data security, and ethical hacking.

• Diploma in Digital Technology: Cyber Security (SCQF level 8) – New in 2022, this qualification covers areas such as digital business transformation, contributing to cyber security risk assessment and risk management, and maintaining security operations.

Martin’s Story

Martin Meszaros recently completed a HND in Cyber Security at North East College Scotland, allowing him to progress to the third year of a degree in Cyber Security at Robert Gordon University.

Receiving A grades in both his first and second-year graded units, Martin went on to compete in the World Skills IT Support Technician Competition, receiving a silver medal in the final. At his graduation ceremony in late 2022, Martin won the SQA Student Award for his achievements and passion for his studies and learning.

Martin explains, “I came to Scotland from Hungary just over 10 years ago with the hope of continuing my studies, but I became very anxious about my English level. I applied to study Level 5 Computing at college. I still remember the day my interview happened as I was very anxious about my English skills, but I had nothing to worry about. The lecturer was extremely polite and as we started talking about computing, he advised Level 6 would be a better fit for me. This is where my college journey began.

“It’s crazy to think I came from a small town of less than 1,500 people in Hungary, to winning a medal at a national competition, all while progressing through college doing a HNC and then a HND.

He continues, “I would recommend a cyber course to anyone looking to study computing in general. They teach all the fundamentals of computing and security, and I found myself interested in everything we covered. It really felt like I was learning every day, which is an amazing feeling to have.

“I’m sure my HND will provide exciting opportunities for the future after graduating. I’m especially interested in mobile device security and my longstanding dream is to one day work for Google. I hope one day I can support them in making millions of users’ lives more secure.”

Alistair McKay, SQA Regional Manager for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, says that learners like Martin who use SQA’s cyber portfolio have a clear pathway into the cyber security workforce. He explains: “We developed these qualifications in partnership with leading employers and experts from across the cyber sector. Learners can be confident the skills, knowledge and understanding they will develop was prescribed by the leading voices from across the industry and will equip them to thrive in an area which increasingly impacts on every aspect of society.”

To stay up to date with latest developments and view all Computing, IT and Software qualifications, visit https://www.sqa.org.uk/computing.

As the Regional Manager for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, Alistair McKay has extensive knowledge of SQA qualifications, from those delivered in schools and colleges, to workplace-based qualifications. He supports and engages with organisations delivering SQA qualifications in his area and aids the development of new qualifications to meet the changing needs of learners and employers. If you’d like advice on delivering SQA qualifications, please contact Alistair at alistair.mckay@sqa.org.uk.