← Certificate IV qualifications
Certificate IV in Cyber Security
ICT - Information and Communications Technology
Entry-level vocational cybersecurity qualification. Strong fit for graduates seeking SOC analyst and helpdesk-with-security roles.
Entry requirements
- Year 12 or Cert IV in IT
What you will learn
The 22445VIC is a Victorian accredited course delivered through TAFE NSW, TAFE Queensland, TAFE SA and other state providers under reciprocity. It covers the foundational concepts and practical skills needed for entry cybersecurity roles. Topics include identifying and assessing cyber threats, applying basic incident response procedures, monitoring organisation security events, configuring host-based and network-based controls, applying access controls and authentication, and supporting ISO/IEC 27001 and Essential Eight implementation. You work in virtual lab environments using tools like Kali Linux, Splunk, Wireshark and Active Directory.
Skills you build
- Threat identification and basic incident response
- Vulnerability scanning and remediation
- Network monitoring with SIEM tools (Splunk, Sentinel)
- Security event triage and ticketing
- Active Directory access control and password policies
- Essential Eight and ISO/IEC 27001 controls
- Wireshark packet analysis basics
How the course runs
Most students study online or blended over 6 to 12 months. Around 400 to 600 hours of formal training, with theory and lab practice split roughly 40/60. Most learning is done in virtual lab environments. No mandatory work placement. Many students study while working in helpdesk or junior IT support roles. Some providers offer it as a paid traineeship under the Australian Apprenticeships framework.
How you will be assessed
- Virtual lab assessments (incident response, log analysis)
- Written knowledge tests per unit of competency
- Case study presentations on simulated breaches
- Workplace portfolios for traineeship pathways
- Configuration tasks against security baselines
Workplace and placement
No mandatory work placement. Most graduates target Security Operations Centre (SOC) analyst tier 1 roles, helpdesk-with-security positions, or IT support with a security pathway. Some providers run hackathon-style Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions to build a portfolio. Salaries follow the Information and Telecommunications Technology Industry Award or above-award rates for in-demand security skills.
Typical employers
- Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs)
- Large enterprise SOCs (banks, telcos, government)
- Government agencies (ASD/ACSC, Services Australia, defence contractors)
- IT consulting firms (Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, EY cyber teams)
- Internal IT teams in finance, health and retail
- Boutique penetration testing companies
Pay after this qualification
$65,000 - $95,000 per year
Source: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/explore-careers/occupation/ict-security-specialists. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
Is this the right course for you?
You probably thrive here if
- You can self-direct learning and stay curious about new threats
- You enjoy hands-on lab work and tinkering
- You can take direction in incident response under pressure
- You can document findings clearly in reports
- You can keep learning after the course (CompTIA, Microsoft, AWS certs)
It is probably not for you if
- You struggle with self-directed online study
- You expect cybersecurity to be like Hollywood movies
- You cannot keep up with the pace of new threats
- You are not comfortable with shift work in 24/7 SOCs
After you finish
After Cert IV you can progress to the Diploma of Applied Cyber Security (22334VIC) for SOC analyst tier 2 and governance roles. Industry certifications (CompTIA Security+, Microsoft SC-200, AWS Security Specialty) are widely valued alongside the qualification. Bachelor of Cyber Security programs at Edith Cowan, RMIT, Deakin, La Trobe and UNSW offer credit for the Cert IV and the Diploma. Some graduates progress to penetration tester or governance risk and compliance (GRC) careers.