Cisco is a worldwide market leader supplying networking equipment for the internet to large, medium and small organisations and the home user. It also has a long-established international networking academy programme to educate networking professionals. Cisco certifications are highly regarded in the networking industry, offering certification holders and their employers a commercial and technical advantage.
In this module, you’ll study the latest versions of the Ethical Hacker and CyberOps Associate curriculum using an online virtual learning environment provided by Cisco through its academy programme (NetAcad), making you eligible for Cisco course completion certificates.
On completing this module, you’ll have a foundation upon which to complete your preparation for taking the 200-201 CBROPS Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals certification examination. You can take CyberOps examinations at many test centres internationally, by your arrangement. But you’re not obligated to take career certification exams as part of the module.
This module focuses on advanced practical skills development: you’ll undertake a range of activities in the context of cybersecurity operations and ethical hacking.
For example:
For further queries about the module content, you may contact the module team.
You can find additional information about the CyberOps certification programme on the Cisco website.
From February 2026, Cisco are improving the CyberOps certification and changing it to become the CCNA Cybersecurity. As part of your continued study, we’ll provide you with any updated/alternative content as Cisco releases it.
Upon completion, you’ll be in a position to gain course completion certificates for Ethical Hacker and Cybersecurity Operations Associate, internationally recognised advanced work-based qualifications.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Although there are no formal tutorials, there's plenty of opportunity for you to engage with your tutor.
There's also a postgraduate induction session before the module starts, where you'll be introduced to the Module Chair.
Course work includes:
You’ll have access to the Cisco material required for the module and additional supplementary material supplied via the dedicated website, online materials covering the CyberOps Associate core body of knowledge (including CyberOps Associate exam practice software) and access to the University library and extensive collection of online journals. The learning materials will reflect the latest content on the Cisco Networking Academy.
The study material contains active content, so your browser and/or firewall must allow pop-ups from the Cisco and OU sites.
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
T828 is a compulsory module in our:
T828 is an option module in our:
Sometimes you cannot count a module towards a qualification if you have already counted another module with similar content. To verify any excluded combinations with this module, check with an adviser before registering.
Network security (T828) starts once a year – in November.
It will next start in November 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in November 2028.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
There are no entry requirements for this module.
Although this module has no entry requirements, we recommend you have relevant academic, employment or commercial certification experience. The module provides additional Cisco-specific access material based on cyber security. However, if you’ve completed the discontinued module Cisco networking (CCNA) (T216), Cisco networking (CCNA) part 1 (TM257), or have experience of the CCNA as a commercial certification or at another Cisco academy, you’ll be at an advantage.
The study material is online, so you’ll spend considerable time using a computer and the internet.
Some components might not be fully accessible using a screen reader.
If you’re using printed materials as part of reasonable adjustments to support your studies, note that printed versions of online materials are unavailable for this module.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our disability support pages.
| Start | End | Register by | England fee |
|---|
| 01 Nov 2026 | 30 Apr 2027 | 08 Oct 2026 | Not yet available* |
| *This start date is open for pre-booking, which means you can reserve your place ahead of the fees being confirmed. We’ll publish updated 2026/27 fees and funding information on the 25th of March. |
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to support your study costs. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in England.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to help with your tuition fees. To find out more, see Postgraduate tuition fee loans in Northern Ireland.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to help with your tuition fees. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in Scotland.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to support your study costs. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in Wales.
The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.
You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:
Joint loan applications
If you feel you would be unable to obtain an OUSBA loan on your own due to credit history or affordability issues, OUSBA offers the option to apply for a joint loan application with a third party. For example, your husband, wife, partner, parent, sibling or friend. In such cases, OUSBA will be required to carry out additional affordability checks separately and/or collectively for both joint applicants who will be jointly and severally liable for loan repayments.
As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average, the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.
Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.
Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
