Professional Diploma in Ethical Hacking
Start Early and Save: Course fees Increasing from September.
Become a security champion by learning to expose potential threats in networks and websites with this ethical hacking course. Gain practical skills using tools like the Kali Linux system to facilitate security tests, and white hat methods for penetration testing, so that you can protect your business integrity in a digital world.
Why UCD Professional Academy?
- Valuable, trusted qualification
- Industry expert lecturers
- Flexible live online learning

Hurry! Early Bird 10% off. Enrol before 1st July. Download the brochure now to reveal your discount code.
Course Information for Ethical Hacking
€1,350 €1500 Save €150Secure your place with a 5% deposit and pay the rest in instalments. Flexible payment options available.
Enrol now with a 5% deposit Download brochureShowing dates for: Jul - Sep 2022
Starts 20 Jul - Ends 05 Oct 2022
Part-time
Live online lectures with an industry expert
12 weeks: One 3 hour lecture per week
Wednesdays, 6.30pm - 9.30pm
€1,350 €1500 Save €150
Starts 20 Sep - Ends 06 Dec 2022
Part-time
Live online lectures with an industry expert
12 weeks: One 3 hour lecture per week
Tuesdays, 6.30pm - 9.30pm
€1,530 €1700 Save €170
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Professional Diploma in Ethical Hacking course content & learning outcomes
Learn to discover vulnerabilities in a safe virtual environment using the open-source Kali Linux distribution. Build your confidence detecting, preventing, and securing systems from a variety of attacks.
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What will I learn about Ethical Hacking?

In this hands-on course, you will set up your testing environment and dive into the large suite of professional tools used for ethical hacking. In network hacking, you will learn how to test the security of networks, gathering comprehensive information about connected devices. In web hacking, you will learn how to gather information about a target website, discovering and exploiting vulnerabilities to hack into websites.

Ethical Hacking Course Modules:
Introduction To Ethical Hacking
Introduction To Ethical Hacking
Learn about the different types of hackers and attacks. Understand the value of ethical hacking and how it can help prevent attacks.
- What is ethical hacking?
- Why learn ethical hacking?
Linux & Virtualisation
Linux & Virtualisation
Understand the broad spectrum of Linux systems and their distributions. Learn how to navigate a computer using the command line. Download and install open-source tools and the Ubuntu operating system.
- Introduction to Linux systems
- The terminal and commands
- Open-source tools
- Virtual box
Kali & Virtualisation
Kali & Virtualisation
Learn about the Kali Linux distribution. Install Kali Linux and set up a network, then create a hacking environment with multiple virtual machines.
- Kali distribution
- Creating a hacking environment
Network Hacking Basics
Network Hacking Basics
Discover how to gather information about the networks around you and execute attacks without connecting to the target network.
- Network basics
- Pre-connection attacks
Network Hacking Advanced
Network Hacking Advanced
Learn to gather comprehensive information about the connected devices, including retrieving login information, passwords, and visited URLs.
- Post connection attacks
- Detection and security
Gaining Access Basic
Gaining Access Basic
Learn to crack keys and obtain passwords to your target network, including WEP, WPA, and even WPA2 passwords.
- Gaining access to computers
- Server-side attacks
Gaining Access Advanced
Gaining Access Advanced
Discover how to gain full control of a system. Make a user install a backdoor on their system without knowing and use social engineering to hack into secure systems.
- Hacking computer systems
- Client-side attacks
- Social engineering
Post Exploitation Basic
Post Exploitation Basic
Learn how to use the systems you have compromised by accessing the file system and maintaining your access to the system.
- File system commands
- Maintaining access
Post Exploitation Advanced
Post Exploitation Advanced
Learn how to spy on a compromised machine by turning on the webcam and capturing keyboard input. Discover how a compromised computer can be used as a pivot to hack into other computers.
- Spying
- Pivoting
Website Hacking
Website Hacking
Learn how websites work and how they are open to multiple attacks. Discover which tools are used to gather information about a target website.
- How to hack a website
- Information gathering
Web Application Hacking
Web Application Hacking
Discover and exploit dangerous vulnerabilities, including SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).
- Cross-site scripting
- Automatically scanning a target website
Penetration Testing Stages
Penetration Testing Stages
Understand the process of penetration testing and its relevant stages. Learn how to document and review results.
- Pre-engagement
- Reconnaissance
- Threat modelling
- Vulnerability identification

Industry-focused courses recognised by top companies worldwide
We offer ambitious professionals the opportunity to stay competitive and relevant in the changing workplace. Our courses are developed and delivered by experienced industry experts via an easy-to-use online study environment. This facilitates student-teacher interaction with live lectures delivered straight to your computer. Our friendly Student Services team is on hand to help.
98 of our students say they would take another course with us

Now includes exclusive access to thousands of journals, articles and papers. Free of charge.
Students taking part in this course will now have access to the EBSCO Online Library, free of charge, for the full duration of the course. Here you can browse thousands of books, relevant journal articles and other reliable academic and commercial texts like the Harvard Business Review, Bloomberg Businessweek and Forbes Magazine, to supplement your learning and assignments.
96 of our alumni would recommend us to friends and family
Have questions about this Ethical Hacking course?
Find out how this industry-focused course will give you the job-ready skills and knowledge to advance your career.
Is this course right for me?
This course is ideal for any professional who is interested in gaining the skills required to test systems for security vulnerabilities. It would also suit individuals who are considering a career in ethical hacking or software developers looking to learn the ethical hacking process.
To benefit from this course, you should already have basic IT skills such as using desktop applications, downloading and installing applications, and basic troubleshooting skills. However, you do not need any Linux programming or hacking knowledge.
How will this course help with my career?
This course will give you practical skills in testing security vulnerabilities and relaying the results of the tests to relevant stakeholders. You will be able to clearly describe, perform, and evaluate an ethical hacking process on multiple software systems. You will be comfortable working in a virtual environment, understanding Linux systems and in particular the specialised distribution, Kali. The hands-on labs are structured in a way that helps you build a diverse and creative portfolio demonstrating your skillset to future employers.
What is the online learning experience like?
You will need a computer capable of running VirtualBox - your hacking environment (minimum 4GB RAM/memory and 20GB hard disk with a recent OS - Windows 10, OS X Catalina, or 2020 Linux release) and administrative access to install software on the computer. During lectures, you will be shown how to set up the environment and use features. Many sample files and exercises are provided at the start of every session, and these will help build your confidence as you discuss examples and practice what you have learned.
What is the student experience like?
Student care is a high priority at UCD Professional Academy, which is why our Student Services team is on hand to support you throughout your time with us. They will respond to any queries you have, help you with any technical issues, and facilitate your learning experience at every point. All students are given access to our Student Portal, where you can see your timetable, access all your study materials, and manage your account.
How is this course assessed?
This course is assessed through a written project at the end of the course. You will have two weeks following the end of the course to complete and submit the final assignment. The written project is generally around 3,000 words (that’s about 5 pages of a standard Word document).
What are the benefits of a Professional Diploma?
UCD Professional Academy diplomas and awards are designed to give your career an advantage. Developed in conjunction with industry thought leaders and academic specialists our courses teach practical, applied skills to support you to achieve your career and business goals. Professional Diplomas are suitable for career minded learners wishing to advance their professional skills and prospects rather than their academic credentials.
The Professional Academy is an independent wholly owned part of UCD designed to address the need for skills development in the workforce. Courses tend to be short, designed and delivered by industry practitioners, and are not part of nor do they lead to a traditional University award such as a degree or a masters. They are widely accepted by employers and many students are sponsored to study by their organisation.
For full details of UCD Professional Academy’s Awards & Governance please visit https://www.ucd.ie/professionalacademy/governance/
How do I get my Diploma?
Your UCD Professional Academy Diploma will be issued electronically on a secure platform, with a link that you can share with employers and others wishing to verify your credentials. You can also add this qualification to your LinkedIn profile.
What payment options are available?
A place on any of our programmes can be secured with a 10% deposit.
For full-time (boot camp) programmes, the balance must be paid in full before course commencement.
For part-time programmes students will be required to pay 45% of the fees before the start of the course, with the remaining balance due within 30 days of the course commencing.
Please note that standard terms and conditions apply, which you can review here: https://www.ucd.ie/professionalacademy/terms-and-conditions/
Pricing
Professional Diploma in Ethical Hacking
Learn to discover and secure vulnerabilities through ethical hacking tools and approaches while building a portfolio to demonstrate your skills.
Course Price
€1,350 €1500 Enrol NowSecure your place with a 5% deposit and pay the rest in instalments.
Download a brochure to reveal your discount code.