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Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Information Technology

Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing

IT305 · Cyber Security — Week 13 of 16

CourseIT305
Week13 of 16
SemesterII
TutorOnline in the course chat

This week’s topics

Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing

  1. Unpacking the assignment brief and criteria
  2. Finding and evaluating sources
  3. Planning and referencing
  4. Planning your search strategy 2025
  5. The project brief

What you will be able to do

  • 1.1 Describe the concepts of cyber security.
  • 1.2 Explain the importance of cyber security for businesses.
  • 1.3 Describe the consequences and implications of inadequate cyber security for businesses .
  • 2.1 Define core terminology used in cyber security.
  • 2.2 Compare typical behaviours of good actors and bad actors.
  • 2.3 Discuss key sectors that are most vulnerable to a cyber-attack.
  • 3.1 Identify key concepts of cyber threat intelligence
  • 3.2 Explain the following terms in relation to cyber security: • threats • exploits • vulnerabilities • risks
  • 3.3 Identify improvements to secure a network against cyber attacks.

Activity

Start with this week’s 2 videos, then: Plan the unit assignment against every criterion; source and reference the evidence.

Study materials

Videos

  • Planning your search strategy 2025 · YouTube · University of Staffordshire Student Life · 24 min · for registered students
  • The project brief · Oak National Academy, Key Stage 4 (GCSE level) · for registered students

Further resources

  • Writing for Success, ch. 8.1–8.3: Prewriting, outlining and drafting · PDF · Saylor Academy, textbook chapter; pp. 281–318 · for registered students
  • Evaluating Information: Applying the CRAAP Test · PDF · Other, report · for registered students
  • Harvard Referencing quick guide 2025 (York St John University) · PDF · Other, report · for registered students
Materials marked “for registered students” open in the student portal, which is set up as soon as you receive final acceptance.
Week 12Week 14
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Admitted students ask questions on this week’s page in the student portal: an AI assistant trained on the course answers first, and during the course’s timetabled classes Connect to your tutor brings your tutor into the chat, who may start a call if needed.

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Course plan
  • Week 1: Fundamentals of Cyber Security
  • Week 2: Business Importance of Cyber Security
  • Week 3: Consequences of Inadequate Security
  • Week 4: Threat Actors and Motivations
  • Week 5: Vulnerable Industry Sectors
  • Week 6: Deconstructing Threats, Exploits, Vulnerabilities, and Risks
  • Week 7: Cyber Threat Intelligence Concepts
  • Midterm: Midterm evaluation
  • Week 9: Network Security Architecture
  • Week 10: Technical Countermeasures and Security by Design
  • Week 11: Continuous Network Improvement and Incident Response
  • Week 12: Applying Cyber Security in practice: case studies
  • Week 13: Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing
  • Week 14: Assignment workshop: drafting, feedback and improvement
  • Week 15: Review and coursework completion
  • Final: Final assessment and submission
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