School of Information Technology & Data ScienceOccupational Skills ProgrammeOpen for enrolment

Skills Programme: Cybersecurity Defender

NQF Level 4Skills Programme ID SP-22033060 credits600 hours / 75 daysFull-time

Programme Overview

To prepare learners to proactively protect organisations’ systems as a first line of defence and first responders: detecting cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities, defending against intrusions and attacks, hardening systems, ensuring compliance and evaluating security posture to enhance resilience.

Programme Identity

Skills Programme IDSP-220330

NQF LevelNQF Level 4

Total Credits60

Programme TypeOccupational Skills Programme

Quality CouncilQCTO - Quality Council for Trades and Occupations

Official Duration600 hours / 75 days

QCTO Registration End11 March 2027

Last Date for Enrolment11 March 2028

Accreditation / Quality AssuranceMICT SETA — Accredited

This is a QCTO-registered Occupational Skills Programme. Highbury programme availability and intake status are confirmed by Admissions. Detailed regulatory evidence is published on the Accreditation page.

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirement

NQF Level 3 (Grade 11) with Computer Literacy, English and Mathematical Literacy.

Official Minimum Entry Requirement (SAQA)

NQF Level 3 (Grade 11) with Computer Literacy, English and Mathematical Literacy.

Highbury Application Documents

Certified copy of ID or passport
Certified copies of highest school results
Proof of residential address

Curriculum & Learning Areas

Cyber Defence Introduction900103-000-00-KM-017 cr
Cyber Threats and Attacks900103-000-00-KM-027 cr
Cybersecurity900103-000-00-KM-037 cr
Responding to Cybersecurity Incidents900103-000-00-KM-045 cr

Assessment Criteria

Internal Assessment

Continuous formative assessment and practical tasks are conducted throughout the programme, supported by a portfolio of evidence. Internal assessment follows the criteria and weighting stipulated in the official curriculum.

External Assessment

Skills programme assessment follows the requirements of the registered QCTO curriculum, including any external assessment the curriculum prescribes. Learners must complete all modules and internal assessment requirements before admission to the final external assessment.

Delivery Mode and Duration

Highbury Delivery Arrangement

Study ModeFull-time

Highbury Duration600 hours / 75 days

CampusPretoria Campus, 378 Pretorius Street, Pretoria, Gauteng

Learning PlatformHighbury Digital Campus

Learning ArrangementClassroom + practical

IntakesConfirmed by Admissions

Delivery combines structured classes and practical sessions, supported online through the Highbury Digital Campus. The duration above is Highbury’s delivery schedule and is separate from the official SAQA credit value.

Articulation and RPL

Articulation

Vertical: Occupational Certificates in AI Software Developer, Cloud Administrator, Cybersecurity Analyst, Data Science Practitioner, Internet of Things Developer, Robotic Process Automation Developer, Quality Test Automator and Software Developer.

Work Opportunities

Roles such as Cybersecurity Defender or Junior Penetration Tester in any economic sector, including finance, insurance, healthcare, energy, environment, government, transport, agriculture and food.

Recognition of Prior Learning

RPL may be used for access to the programme and, where applicable, for credits or exemption against completed modules, as well as for access to the final external assessment, in line with official RPL policy. Contact Admissions for an RPL evaluation.

Career Pathways

Cybersecurity DefenderJunior Penetration Tester

Certification

Highbury College may issue permissible institutional records, statements and completion documents. The official occupational qualification certificate is issued by the responsible quality council or certification authority after all prescribed requirements have been met.

On successful completion of all assessment requirements, the learner is certified for this QCTO-registered Occupational Skills Programme. Credits achieved may be recognised towards related occupational qualifications in line with QCTO rules.

Ready to apply?

This programme is open for enrolment. Start your application online — our admissions team will guide you through every step.

Apply Now Contact Admissions

Official skills programme information is based on the QCTO registration details for this programme. Highbury-specific delivery, fees and intake arrangements are maintained by Highbury College.

Programme availability and intake dates are confirmed by Highbury Admissions.

Last verified: 2026-09-27 (QCTO SP document supplied by Highbury)Factsheet v1.0