Celebrating CyberScotland Week

CyberScotland week is taking place from 27 February until 5 March and aims to improve cyber awareness. From home life to businesses, everyone needs to be cyber aware and resilient in a growing digital world. That’s why SQA offers a host of qualifications in the cyber sector, such as:

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.
Award in Cyber Security Fundamentals (SCQF level 4) – An introduction to cyber security giving leaners practical experience and knowledge around cyber-threats.
NPA Cyber Security (SCQF levels 4, 5 and 6) – The first school-based National Qualifications in cyber security developed in Europe, preparing learners for further studies and future employment in the 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.
HND Cyber Security (SCQF level 8) – The HND builds on and enhances the knowledge and skills of the HNC, setting learners up for success in the workplace, or study at a higher level.
PDA Cyber Resilience (SCQF levels 7, 8 and 9) – The Professional Development Award introduces cyber security topics to learners already employed in related sectors who are looking to develop their skills.
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 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 says: “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. I started off doing a small Computing course because I wanted to do something with my life, then moved onto a HNC and HND, always finding my lecturers extremely helpful along the way.

“I would recommend a cyber course to anyone looking to study computing in general. It came as a surprise to me how much content the cyber courses cover. They teach all the fundamentals of computing and security, and I found myself interested in everything we covered. My classes always felt challenging but not too much. 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 long-standing dream is to one day work for Google. I hope one day I can support them in making millions of users’ lives more secure.”

Bobby Elliott, SQA Qualifications Manager, 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.”

You can keep up to date with latest developments and view all Computing, IT and Software qualifications on our website.