Advanced Cyber Defence & Offensive Security
Advance your career with four expert-led courses covering advanced cyber defence and offensive security
Duration
Approx 16 weeks1-2 hrs per week
Gain practical skills in advanced cyber defence and offensive security
Enterprise Network Defence and Secure Architecture
Securing enterprise networks requires a robust foundation in architectural design and practical defence. This ExpertTrack provides a comprehensive overview of network security, teaching you to protect systems across finance, healthcare, and government sectors. You will master core concepts including VLANs, subnetting, and layered security zones, applying threat modelling to build networks that are secure by design.
Through hands-on experience, you will implement Access Control Lists (ACLs), configure Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and secure devices using advanced encryption protocols. The programme also covers centralised authentication via TACACS+ and wireless security challenges, ensuring you can monitor and manage administrative access in any enterprise environment.
Threat Intelligence and Endpoint Resilience
Beyond static defences, you will learn to transform raw data into actionable intelligence that drives security decisions. You will explore the complete threat intelligence lifecycle, from sourcing and validating information to mapping attacker infrastructure and correlating malware. By mastering attribution techniques, you can identify threat actors and their specific methodologies. This intelligence is applied to endpoint security, where you will master Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) technologies.
You will learn to configure telemetry, automate responses to sophisticated alerts, and maintain endpoint hygiene. The integration of Zero Trust models ensures strict access control and continuous verification, while behavioural analysis allows for the detection of complex insider threats and privilege escalation.
Offensive Operations and Emerging Cyber Threats
To build a robust defence, you must understand the psychology and techniques of the adversary. This ExpertTrack takes you inside the attacker mindset, using frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK to anticipate and disrupt adversary tactics. You will gain practical experience in the complete attack lifecycle, covering reconnaissance, exploitation, and social engineering. As the threat landscape shifts, you will also examine the impact of AI-driven attacks and large language models.
By simulating real-world scenarios, you will develop the critical decision-making skills required for modern Security Operations Centres (SOCs), ensuring your organisation remains ahead of emerging threats through resilient, evidence-based security strategies.
The courses within this ExpertTrack can also be undertaken as standalone study options - you can search within the wider Starweaver portfolio.
Key skills you will learn
- Network Defence
- Threat Intelligence
- Endpoint Security
- Offensive Operations
- Incident Response
- Vulnerability Assessment
Learning outcomes
By the end of the ExpertTrack, you’ll be able to...
- Design secure enterprise network architectures incorporating VLANs, subnetting, and layered security zones to ensure systems are resilient by design.
- Design advanced access control mechanisms, including ACLs, VPN configurations, and centralised TACACS+ authentication, to safeguard data across public and private networks.
- Evaluate raw threat data to produce actionable intelligence reports that attribute attacker infrastructure and guide executive-level security decision-making.
- Develop Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) technologies and Zero Trust models to monitor telemetry and mitigate sophisticated insider threats or privilege escalation.
- Assess the cyber attack lifecycle using the MITRE ATT&CK framework to anticipate adversary tactics and disrupt offensive operations before impact.
- Assess the security implications of emerging technologies, such as AI-driven automated attacks and large language models, to develop forward-thinking defence strategies.
Experience required
Learners should possess an understanding of IT networking, including basic knowledge of TCP/IP protocols and standard operating systems. Prior experience in a technical support or junior security role is beneficial, as is familiarity with command-line interfaces and basic scripting. Learners should possess an analytical mindset, with the ability to troubleshoot digital problems and interpret technical data.
A background in computer science or equivalent practical experience in managing enterprise environments will ensure you can navigate the advanced labs and offensive simulations.
Getting started
This ExpertTrack is designed for aspiring and established cyber security professionals who wish to transition from basic IT support into specialised roles such as Security Analyst, Network Engineer, or Threat Intelligence Specialist. It is ideal for technical leads responsible for enterprise infrastructure and system administrators seeking to harden their endpoint defences.
Additionally, it serves as a robust career accelerator for individuals interested in offensive security and red teaming, providing the strategic depth needed to navigate modern, AI-driven threat landscapes effectively.
ExpertTrack course overview
Course 1
Core Principles of Network Defence Strategies
Build hands-on skills to design, secure, and monitor resilient enterprise networks that stand up to evolving security threats.
4 tests
4 weeks
1 hour per week
Course 2
Key Skills for Advanced Threat Intelligence Reporting
Learn to research threats, attribute attacks, and create actionable intelligence reports for decision-makers.
4 tests
4 weeks
2 hours per week
Course 3
Key Skills for Mastering Endpoint Security & Threat Defence
Gain hands-on skills to detect, prevent, and respond to endpoint threats using real-world tools and Zero Trust practices.
4 tests
4 weeks
1 hour per week
Course 4
Key Skills for Offensive Cyber Operations
Learn to think like a cyber attacker so you can defend better. Explore offensive techniques, attacker psychology, and red teaming.
4 tests
4 weeks
2 hours per week
Prove you're job ready
Highlight the new, job-relevant skills you’ve gained and supplement existing qualifications with a hard-earned, industry-specific digital certificate – plus one for every course within your ExpertTrack.
- Learn the latest in your chosen industry or subject.
- Complete each course and pass assessments.
- Receive certificates validated by the educating organisation.
- Impress employers with learning outcomes you can add to your CV.
- Make your career dreams a reality.
Download a PDF
How ExpertTracks work
Join an ExpertTrack to master new skills in your chosen specialist area. Work through a series of topic-focused courses at your own pace, and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate award which proves your expertise.
Decide if the ExpertTrack is right for you with free access to the full suite of courses and assessments for a week.
Pay a monthly subscription fee of $59 for as long as it takes you to complete the ExpertTrack. You can learn at your own pace and cancel at any time.
Receive a certificate for every completed course and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate.
Use your specialist training to progress further in your career or build expertise in areas you’re passionate about.
World-class learning with Starweaver
Starweaver is a next generation platform that engages your workforce as no other. Combining business and technical skills, Starweaver provides real-time skill building that is in line with your business objectives and strategies, and in your associates day to day tasks and jobs.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
What are our learners saying?
Add a new skill or forge a new path
"I recommend Futurelearn to anyone looking to learn and upskill...If you are in the job market, you might want to add a new skill or forge a new path."
They bring the classroom right to you
"FutureLearn courses are always interesting and informative. They bring the classroom right to you and send you on a journey to explore new ideas and offer interesting topics."
Start learning today - free 2-day trial
After your free trial you can:
- Pay $59 per month to keep learning online
- Have complete control over your subscription; you can cancel any time
- Work at your own pace and set your own deadlines at every stage
- Only pay while you’re learning; the subscription will cancel automatically when you finish
- Complete online assessments to test your knowledge and prove your skills
- Earn digital course certificates and a final award that you can share online, with potential employers, and your professional network
- Keep access to the content of courses you complete even after your subscription ends
FAQ
ExpertTracks are a series of online courses designed to help you master new skills in specialist areas. You pay a monthly subscription fee which includes access to all courses within the ExpertTrack, as well as assessments and the final digital certificate.
Each ExpertTrack comes with a 2-day free trial period. You may cancel your subscription at any time and your subscription will automatically cancel when you finish the courses and assessments in your chosen ExpertTrack.
Yes. All of our ExpertTracks come with a 2-day free trial. You may claim one free trial period per ExpertTrack.
You have two days before you will be charged your first monthly subscription fee. When you join an ExpertTrack you automatically receive a 2-day free trial period. You can cancel at any time during the trial period and no payment will be taken from your account.
Please see our full refund policy here.
No, all of our ExpertTracks consist of fully online courses. This means you can take an ExpertTrack from anywhere in the world.
No. ExpertTracks are designed for you to master new skills in a specialist area. You will earn a digital certificate that proves your learning, but it does not carry accreditation.
If you’re looking for certified or accredited courses, many of our microcredentials offer university credit or professional certification.
Have more questions about ExpertTracks? Read the ExpertTracks FAQs, or contact us.