b.3.6 network security
Hackers vs Defenders. Explore the dark side of networks with malware and phishing and learn the pro techniques like encryption and firewalls used to stop them.
The internet can be a dangerous neighbourhood. Network Security is your self-defense class. We identify the bad guys: Malware (viruses that break stuff), Phishing (fake emails trying to steal your password), and DDoS attacks (zombie computers flooding a server). But don't worry, we also look at the shields. You’ll learn about Firewalls that block intruders, Encryption that scrambles your secrets so spies can't read them, and Penetration Testing, where companies pay "ethical hackers" to break into their systems just to find the weak spots.
This page is mainly about b.3.6.a_online_safety_foundations
This page is mainly about b.3.6.b_passwords_and_personal_data
This page is mainly about b.3.6.c_malware_and_defensive_software
This page is mainly about b.3.6.d_social_engineering_and_phishing
This page is mainly about b.3.6.e_authentication_and_hardware_access_controls
This page is mainly about b.3.6.f_network_attack_vectors
This page is mainly about b.3.6.g_encryption,_proxies_and_firewalls
This page is mainly about b.3.6.h_cybersecurity_legislation
This page is mainly about b.3.6.i_network_forensics_and_threat_detection
This page is mainly about b.3.6.j_penetration_testing_and_devsecops
This page is mainly about b.3.6.k_risk_management_and_enterprise_standards
Network security is a critical discipline that protects the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of digital infrastructure and data. This progression maps the pedagogical journey from foundational online safety and password hygiene at Key Stages 1 and 2, through to the advanced application of cryptography, network forensics, penetration testing, and DevSecOps at Key Stage 5 and beyond. By explicitly linking threat theories - such as social engineering and SQL injection - to hands-on defensive procedures like configuring firewalls and enabling multifactor authentication, students develop the practical resilience required to secure modern networks against escalating cyber threats.
Last modified: May 12th, 2026
