Diploma in Ethical Hacking

The Diploma in Ethical Hacking offered by the State University of New York (SUNY) — Potsdam and delivered via the National Education Foundation (NEF) is designed to equip individuals with the skills necessary to become competent cybersecurity professionals. The Diploma in Ethical Hacking is an intensive, career-focused program designed to equip learners with practical skills in cybersecurity, penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and ethical hacking methodologies. Delivered under the SUNY Potsdam–NEF partnership, this program combines international academic credibility with NEF’s industry-aligned training platform, providing students hands-on labs, real-world projects, and recognized digital credentials. The program prepares students to identify security weaknesses in networks, applications, and systems while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines. What is this program? A Hybrid Diploma program aimed at training computer science enthusiasts, cybersecurity professionals, system administrators, and others to become Ethical Hackers (also known as "White Hat" hackers or penetration testers). The goal is to learn to proactively identify and fix vulnerabilities in systems, networks, and applications to prevent malicious attacks. The courses are typically developed and delivered online by SkillSoft, USA, and certified by SUNY Potsdam, USA. Duration & Credits : Six months (for "Job-Ready Courses")

Core Modules

• While exact module names may vary, a comprehensive ethical hacking diploma generally covers: Fundamentals of Cybersecurity & Networking, Ethical Hacking Methodologies (like penetration testing models), Network Scanning & Enumeration, System Hacking & Malware Analysis, Web Application Hacking, Wireless Network Security, Social Engineering, Cryptography, Vulnerability Assessment, and the use of industry tools (e.g., Wireshark, Nessus, or practical platforms like Hack The Box/TryHackMe).
• Specializations Specializations are not explicitly detailed as part of the core Diploma structure, but the foundational skills learned are critical for specializations in areas like Penetration Testing (Pentesting), Vulnerability Analysis, Security Consulting, and Digital Forensics.
• Cybersecurity Fundamentals
• Networking & Systems Security
• Introduction to Ethical Hacking & Pen Testing
• Web Application Security & OWASP Top 10
• Wireless & Mobile Security
• Malware Analysis & Reverse Engineering
• Security Tools & Hands-On Labs (Kali Linux, Metasploit, Wireshark, etc.)
• Digital Forensics & Incident Response
• Security Policies, Ethics & Compliance
• Advanced Penetration Testing (Red Teaming concepts)
• Capstone Project: Full-scale penetration test or simulated security audit
• Career Readiness Module (Resume & interview preparation, portfolio development)
• Core Module: “Practical Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing” — the central hands-on module encompassing labs, vulnerability assessments, and capstone preparation.

Learning Outcomes

• Graduates are prepared to: Protect systems and networks, Identify system and network vulnerabilities, Mitigate cyber threats, perform security consulting, and gain the skills necessary to pursue roles like ethical hacker or penetration testing expert.
• Identify vulnerabilities in networks, systems, and applications using standard tools and frameworks.
• Conduct ethical penetration tests, vulnerability assessments, and security audits.
• Perform basic malware analysis and digital forensic investigations.
• Apply incident response strategies and produce professional forensic reports.
• Understand ethical, legal, and compliance requirements in cybersecurity.
• Present a complete capstone demonstrating practical hacking and security assessment skills.