Foundational Cybersecurity Awareness & Practices

Certificate

Sonraí an Chúrsa

Course Code	LL_IFCAP_S
Céim	9
Fad ama	1 Semester
Creidmheasanna	10
Modh Seachadta	Online
Suímh campais	Donegal – Letterkenny
Modh Seachadta	Lánaimseartha

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Foundational Cybersecurity Awareness & Practices

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Forbhreathnú Cúrsa

Delivered one evening per week. Two intakes available: 8 June–14 August or 17 August–23 October.

This course is fully funded and delivered by ATU on behalf of Skillnet Ireland, as part of the Digital4Security project, co-funded by the European Union.

The aim of this certificate is to equip non-specialist and non-technical SME staff with foundational cybersecurity awareness and practical skills to recognise, prevent, and respond to common cyber threats. Learners will develop secure-working behaviours, apply basic technical and procedural controls, and adopt responsible practices when using digital and AI-enabled workplace tools.

This certificate also introduces learners to concepts of post-quantum preparedness, enabling them to understand how emerging risks may affect everyday business systems.

Sonraí an Chúrsa

Bliain 1

Seimeastar	Sonraí an Mhodúil	Creidmheasanna	Éigeantach / Roghnach
1	Foundational Cybersecurity Awareness & Practices This module develops cybersecurity awareness and secure-working behaviours for non-specialist/non-technical staff in SMEs. Learners examine common cyber threats including phishing, business email compromise, and ransomware, with emphasis on how everyday behaviours, processes, and communications create or reduce risk. The module supports learners to apply practical controls and frameworks in daily work (identity hygiene, safe information handling, cloud/remote working practices) and to use AI-enabled workplace tools responsibly in order to prevent data leakage and unsafe automation. Learners are also introduced to post-quantum preparedness, focusing on which business systems rely on public-key cryptography and the practical steps SMEs can take now. The aim is to provide learners with the foundational knowledge, frameworks, and behaviours required to identify common cyber threats and apply current best practice defences. Torthaí Foghlama 1. Critically evaluate the principal cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities affecting SME environments, including ransomware and extortion, drawing on contemporary frameworks and research. 2. Explain and distinguish core security mechanisms (hashing, encryption, digital signatures, authentication/MFA) used in everyday business systems and outline a practical checklist for current and post-quantum preparedness. 3. Apply and justify secure working practices for identity, email, devices, and information handling (e.g., MFA, password management, safe sharing, update awareness, backup hygiene). 4. Evaluate opportunities and risks arising from AI-enabled tools (including generative AI such as modern LLMs) and propose safe-use practices aligned with organisational policy and relevant regulation. 5. Design and justify a concise, evidence-informed cybersecurity awareness plan suitable for an SME (micro), including reporting pathways and simple evaluation metrics. Then reflect critically on individual and collective responsibilities for sustaining digital trust and resilience across diverse organisational contexts.	10	Mandatory

Uaireanta Staidéir Molta in aghaidh na seachtaine

This course is delivered online over 10 weeks, with one evening class per week (2 hours per session). Students can also expect to allow for4-6 hours of independent learning per week.

Scrúdú agus Measúnú

100% continuous assessment

Dul chun cinn

On successful completion of this programme students can apply for other level 9 programmes.

Download a prospectus

Réamheolaire Iarchéime Online, Flexible and Professional Development Prospectus

Riachtanais Iontrála

Applicants must hold a Level 8 Honours degree (H2.2 or higher) in a relevant field. Candidates with suitable experience may also apply via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Táillí

This course is fully funded and delivered by ATU on behalf of Skillnet Ireland, as part of the Digital4Security project, co-funded by the European Union.

Tuilleadh eolais faoi tháillí

Gairmeacha

Graduates will be well positioned to contribute immediately to improved cybersecurity posture within their organisations. The knowledge and applied skills developed, including secure working practices, threat awareness, safe AI use, reporting behaviours, and an understanding of post‑quantum considerations are increasingly valued across all business functions.

While the course is not aimed at producing technical specialists, it enhances employability by strengthening a learner’s capability in digital responsibility, governance, risk awareness, and operational resilience.

Further Information

Application Closing Date

25th May (June start). 3rd July (September start)

Start Date

June and September

Cé Ba Chóir Iarratas a Dhéanamh?

The course is designed for non‑technical professionals who play an important role in day‑to‑day organisational cybersecurity, particularly within Irish SMEs. Typical learners include staff working in administration, HR, finance, operations, customer support, compliance, and general management roles. These individuals frequently interact with sensitive data, business processes, and digital tools but may not have formal training in cybersecurity practices.

Anticipated demand is strong, driven by the growing prevalence of phishing, business email compromise, fraud, ransomware, and unsafe use of AI‑enabled workplace tools, all of which disproportionately affect SMEs. Organisations increasingly recognise the need to broaden cybersecurity competence beyond IT teams, creating ongoing demand for accessible, short‑format, skills‑focused learning at NFQ Level 9 that directly supports workplace resilience.