Program start date | Application deadline |
2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Diploma in Ethical Hacking
Overview
Ethical hacking describes hacking performed to expose threats in a system, using tools and techniques with an organisation’s consent. A professional hacker uses different tools and platforms to penetrate the security that has been implemented to check for weaknesses. Therefore, to understand how hackers enter secure systems, retrieve confidential information or plant malicious software inside computers and networks, then you need to experience hacking first-hand. The Ethical Hacking course, in which you receive a professional diploma takes a deep dive into the main areas of hacking: Web Hacking, Network Hacking and exploiting coding vulnerabilities in software. By using isolated virtual environments like Kali Linux, this hacking can be practiced in a safe environment. In addition, this course also looks at various stages of penetration testing: Planning and Reconnaissance, Scanning, Gaining, Access, Maintaining Access and Analysis.
Programme Aims and Objectives
Aims
This programme aims to immerse learners into the area of ethical hacking with a view to enabling them to understand how to identify and exploit computer systems in order to check for weaknesses and expose threats in an organisation’s computer system.
Objectives
- Provide learners with a deep understanding on how to analyse a website, examine it for vulnerabilities and exploit those vulnerabilities.
- Introduce learners to the area of penetration testing.
- Equip learner with the knowhow of setting up a virtual environment in which to perform attacks in a safe and isolated manner.
- Understand how unsecure software can be exploited, looking at some of the common vulnerabilities including buffer overflow, heap overflow and stack overflow.
Timetable
The course is delivered over 12 weeks with project assignment. Each week will consist of a number of different activities which incorporate classroom, live discussion forums and Moodle resources.
Assessment
To meet the requirements of the Diploma in Ethical Hacking students will have to complete continuous assessment in the form of an individual written assignment and a presentation. Students will work on a project to identify vulnerabilities and then present the results to the class.
Course Content
The lecturing team consists of a team of staff that combine both academic qualifications with substantial practical experience, and this practical perspective is reflected in the delivery of the course. The diploma is broken into 3 areas: web hacking, network hacking, and exploiting coding vulnerabilities in software. Some of the key subject areas are the following:
- Web Hacking
- Introduction and overview of Ethical Hacking
- Introduction to Linux & Python
- Penetration Testing: Planning and Reconnaissance, Scanning, Access and Analysis
- Coding Vulnerabilities
Structure
The key subject areas are delivered over 12 weeks with project assignment. Each week will consist of a number of different activities which incorporate classroom, live discussion forums and Moodle resources. Students will understand the fundamentals of ethical hacking with hands-on practical experience of key areas. This course allows students to understand how to evaluate a system, look for vulnerabilities and use common tools associated with hacking.
Career Opportunities
The Professional Diploma in Ethical Hacking is designed to give learners the knowledge and skills required to move into a variety of cybersecurity roles. On completion of this programme students will have domain specific knowledge along with the soft skills required to work productively in any industry in the area of IT.
Student Profile
Typically, students participating on this programme are from a variety of backgrounds from those starting out in the business world to managers or those advising such businesses, who need to understand what hacking and cybersecurity can mean for business. It is also beneficial to those who are not employed directly in ICT related roles but who are responsible for protecting business from cyber-attacks and who want to improve their understanding of hacking and the tools available to protect a system. No prior computing or mathematical qualifications are required. Learners would only need a very basic level of computer knowledge. The subject is taught from a basic level and pairing of learners for hands-on practical tasks is feasible.
Fees
The fee for the Diploma in Ethical Hacking is €1,500. This is inclusive of tuition, registration, exam fees and DBS library membership. This fee must be paid in full before the course begins.
Certification
Dublin Business School
Schedule
1 evening per week, 6.15-9.30pm
Next Intake
September 2025
Duration
12 weeks (part-time)
Mode
Online