5-Day Instructor-Led Programme
The XSEC Certification Programme is the practitioner foundation for cybersecurity professionals who need a comprehensive, hands-on grounding in core security domains: network security, access control, cryptography, threat analysis, and incident response fundamentals. Assessed on Day 5 through a supervised security assessment exercise — no multiple choice, no exam, no question bank.
Duration
5 Days
Price
$3,745
The entry point to professional cybersecurity should not be a multiple choice test. Security+ tests whether a candidate has memorised the right answers. ISC2 CC is a free exam designed to drive membership numbers. SANS GSEC costs nearly $10,000 for what is fundamentally foundational content. XSEC gives security practitioners a genuine, instructor-led foundation built around practical skills — and assesses it through actual security work, not MCQ recall.
Across five instructor-led days, participants build capability across the complete foundation of professional cybersecurity: network security architecture and monitoring, access control and identity management, cryptography and PKI, threat analysis and vulnerability management, security operations fundamentals, and incident response basics. Every concept is immediately applied in a practical exercise so participants can do the thing, not just define it.
On Day 5, participants complete a supervised security assessment exercise covering multiple foundation domains. A senior practitioner observes performance across practical stations. XSEC certificate and Practitioner Assessment Report issued together. Aligned with NIST CSF 2.0, CIS Controls v8, ISO 27001:2022, CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 objectives (content, not exam), and NCSC 10 Steps to Cyber Security.
Hands-on exercises every module: firewall rule analysis, log analysis in SIEM, GPO hardening review, phishing identification, vulnerability scan interpretation, and incident triage decision-making.
Mentor-led sessions connecting every concept to a real-world scenario — how a misconfigured firewall allowed a breach, how a stolen credential led to a ransomware attack, how a missing patch became a front-page story.
Apply core security knowledge practically across network security, access control, cryptography, threat analysis, and incident response — and communicate security risk clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Apply network security architecture principles including segmentation, firewall policy, and encrypted communications to real infrastructure scenarios
Implement access control and identity management using RBAC, MFA, and least privilege principles aligned to CIS Controls v8
Explain and apply cryptographic concepts including symmetric/asymmetric encryption, hashing, digital certificates, and PKI in practical security contexts
Conduct basic vulnerability assessment activities including scan interpretation, CVSS prioritisation, and remediation tracking
Triage and classify security incidents using structured methodology aligned to NIST SP 800-61 and escalate appropriately
Apply governance fundamentals including ISO 27001, UK GDPR, and NIST CSF 2.0 to security programme design conversations
Minimum 6 months in an IT, helpdesk, or technical support role — no prior security experience required
Basic understanding of computer systems, networks, and operating systems at user-administration level
No programming or scripting experience required — this is an entry-level security programme
Organized by professional domains with comprehensive coverage
Master these in-demand skills through hands-on practice
A clear view of the roles this programme supports, what typically comes next, and where learners progress over time
Choose the learning format that works best for you and your team
Instructor-Led Training
Join live instructor-led sessions from anywhere. Interactive, engaging, and flexible.
Price per person
Group enrolments and early planning options available.
All prices are exclusive of VAT where applicable. Group enrolments and custom packages available on request.
Not everyone learns best in a group. If you want focused guidance, faster clarity, and confidence you can use on the job, our 1-to-1 Fast-Track Training gives you private, mentor-led support tailored to your experience and goals.
"Many learners choose 1-to-1 when they want understanding, not memorisation."
Credential
On successful completion of Xcademia Security Essentials Practitioner, learners receive an Xcademia Certificate of Completion. This standalone certificate is issued directly by Xcademia and recognised by employers across the UK defence and security sector.
Everything you need to know about the certification exams
You will receive an Xcademia certificate of completion based on participation and successful completion of labs and scenario simulations.
Everything you need to know about this course
XSEC is the entry point to professional cybersecurity. It is designed for IT professionals transitioning into security, helpdesk staff who want to specialise, graduates entering their first security role, and professionals from adjacent technical roles (network engineering, systems administration) who want to formalise their security knowledge. No prior security experience is required.
Take the next step in your professional development