Cybersecurity Practitioner – NQF Level 6
QCTO Learnership
Course overview
The Advanced Occupational Certificate: Cybersecurity Practitioner (SAQA Qualification ID: 122068) is a nationally registered occupational qualification on the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF) at NQF Level 6, comprising 120 credits. The qualification prepares learners to function competently as Cybersecurity Practitioners within a wide range of organizational and sectoral contexts. A Cybersecurity Practitioner is responsible for assuring the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of digital and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems. The role focuses on identifying cybersecurity vulnerabilities, analyzing threats, investigating cyber incidents and crimes, and initiating and managing preventative and mitigation actions to reduce organizational risk. The qualification integrates
advanced theoretical knowledge, applied practical skills, and structured workplace experience, enabling learners to operate effectively in complex and evolving cybersecurity environments.
This qualification is intended for learners with foundational cybersecurity knowledge who wish to specialize further and operate at a practitioner level within the cybersecurity domain
Learning Outcomes
The qualification aims to develop advanced cybersecurity practitioners capable of analyzing complex cybersecurity information, conducting cyber investigations, managing cyber risks, and supporting organizational resilience against cyber threats through ethical and legally compliant practices
A Qualified Learner Will Be Able To:
- Conduct specialised denial and deception operations to collect and analyze cybersecurity
intelligence. - Review, evaluate, and synthesize incoming cybersecurity information to determine its
relevance and intelligence value. - Investigate cybersecurity incidents, breaches, and cybercrimes involving ICT systems,
networks, and digital evidence. - Initiate, manage, and monitor cybersecurity risk mitigation and preventative actions.
- Apply ethical, legal, and professional principles in cybersecurity operations and investigations.
Entry Requirements
- Occupational Certificate: Cybersecurity Analyst (NQF Level 5) or an equivalent qualification
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is available for access to the qualification, exemption frommodules, and access to the external integrated summative assessment, in accordance with the
QCTO RPL Policy
International Comparability
The Advanced Occupational Certificate: Cybersecurity Practitioner has been benchmarked against comparable international qualifications in the United Kingdom and the United States of America
- In the United Kingdom, the National Progression Award (NPA): Cybersecurity (SCQF Level 8)
covers similar domains, including ethical hacking, digital forensics, network security, cyber
resilience, and professional ethics. While the UK qualification allows elective pathways, the South African qualification emphasizes structured workplace experience - In the United States, the Graduate Certificate in Information Security offered by the University of Michigan provides comparable depth in cybersecurity, cryptography, network security, and ethics, though it does not include a formalized occupational work experience component
Overall, the South African qualification compares favourably in terms of content, duration, and occupational relevance, and aligns with globally recognised cybersecurity skills frameworks while retaining a strong applied and work-integrated learning focus.
Occupational Trainer – NQF Level 4 Certification
- Qualification Title: Advanced Occupational Certificate: Cybersecurity Practitioner
- SAQA Qualification ID: 122068
- NQF Level: Level 5
- Sub-Framework: Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF)
- Qualification Type: Advanced Occupational Certificate
- Assessment Quality Partner (AQP): BANKSETA
This qualification does not replace and is not replaced by any other registered qualification. It is not a trade qualification.
Potential Career Opportunities
Qualifying learners may access employment opportunities in roles such as:
The qualification also supports articulation into related advanced qualifications within the informationtechnology and information security fields
Learning Options
This qualification is offered through accredited Skills Development Providers (SDPs) and approved workplaces under the QCTO framework. Learning delivery may include:
- Full-time classroom-based instruction
- Blended learning (theory and workplace experience)
- Workplace-based experiential learning
- Modular delivery aligned to knowledge, practical skills, and work experience components
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for access and credits.
To be awarded the qualification, learners must successfully complete all knowledge modules, practical skill modules, and work experience modules, and pass the external integrated summative assessment conducted by the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner.
Course Details:
