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Level 4 Cyber Security Technologist

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Level 4 Cyber Security Technologist

Level 4 Cyber Security Technologist

The broad purpose of the occupation is to apply an understanding of cyber security to protect organisations, systems, information, personal data and people from attacks and unauthorised access.

Fighting cyber security threats is a multi-billion-pound industry, and one that continues to grow as threats from the likes of malware, ransomware, phishing, DDoS attacks and hacking increase. Organisations both large and small are turning to cyber security professionals to help them keep their commercial and financial data, websites, infrastructure sites and their customers' details safe.

With almost all personal data now stored online, cyber security attacks have the potential to completely ruin businesses - not to mention people's lives - in the process. There are often news stories about high-profile attacks, such as those on the NHS, Yahoo and LinkedIn, meaning that organisations are becoming increasingly concerned with any potential leaks that could occur. In fact, nearly half of all UK businesses experienced some form of attack in the last 12 months. As a cyber-security technologist, you will be part of the response to those attacks.

The EPA is the culmination of the Apprentice’s training programme and provides them the opportunity to demonstrate the full range of knowledge, skills and behaviours in the published standard. You can find the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education assessment plan here.

Teaching

Having completed a minimum of 12 months on programme training and completed the required amount of off-the-job hours specified by the apprenticeship funding rules, the apprentice will undertake a Project Report, Scenario Demonstrations with questioning, Professional Discussion and a Knowledge Test.

01. Application

Once the Employer has decided to use the Academy4PM for the EPA of their learner, the Employer will be required to complete and submit the Academy4PM EPA Application Form which activates the EPA process and initiates EPA for the Apprentice.
02. Submission

At Gateway, this EPA requires the submission of a portfolio of evidence and a project, title and scope document by the Apprentice in electronic form to the EPAO.
03. Review

The assessor panel, once selected and any identified conflicts of interest have been resolved, will review the submitted documentation in preparation for the Project Report, Scenario Demonstrations with questioning, Professional Discussion and Knowledge Test.

04. Panel

The assessment will be led by an Academy4PM assessor who will act as independent assessor and may include representatives from the employer or learning provider free of any direct conflict of interest. The assessor panel will contain members who have:
- Have recent relevant experience of the occupation/sector gained in the last three years or significant experience of the occupation/sector and evidence of continued professional development.
- Are competent to deliver the end-point assessment and who meet the following minimum requirements:
- Experience of cyber security technology.
- Evidence of continued professional development.
The Academy4PM assessor will have the final decision on grading.
05. Assessment

The EPA will assess the full range of knowledge, skills and behaviours listed in the published Standard utilising the following:
- Scenario Demonstrations lasting 7 hours 45 minutes and will be conducted over a minimum of 2 working days.
- Scenario Demonstration Questioning lasting at least 45 minutes.
- Professional discussion lasting at least 90 minutes.
- Knowledge Test lasting 60 minutes.
- Project Report.
The above is an opportunity for the apprentice to demonstrate the skills, knowledge and behaviours required in their day-to-day work.

Level 4 Cyber Security Technologist Process

Final Outcome

Once the lead Assessor has concluded the Apprentices Project Report, Scenario Demonstrations with questioning, Professional Discussion and a Knowledge Test., the Assessor Panel will review and finalise their marks and provide the Academy4PM with an overall grading recommendation. Both assessment methods are weighted equally in their contribution to final EPA grade.

All EPA methods must be passed for the EPA to be passed overall. Apprentices must gain a pass in both methods to gain a pass overall. Apprentices must gain a distinction in both assessment methods to gain a distinction overall.

Re-Assessment

Apprentices who fail one or more assessment method will be offered the opportunity to take a re-sit or a re-take at the employer’s discretion. The apprentice’s employer will need to agree that either a re-sit or re-take is an appropriate course of action.

A re-sit does not require further learning, whereas a re-take does.

Apprentices should have a supportive action plan to prepare for a re-sit or a re-take.

An apprentice who fails one or more assessment method, and therefore the EPA in the first instance, will be required to re-sit or re-take the failed assessment method(s) only.

The timescales for a re-sit/re-take is agreed between the employer and EPAO. A re-sit is typically taken within two months of the EPA outcome notification. The timescale for a re-take is dependent on how much re-training is required and is typically taken within four months of the EPA outcome notification.

All assessment methods must be taken within a six-month period, otherwise the entire EPA will need to be re-sat/re-taken.

Re-sits and re-takes are not offered to apprentices wishing to move from pass to a higher grade.

Where any assessment method must be re-sat or re-taken, the apprentice can still achieve a distinction grade overall.

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