ISC² CC · CompTIA Network+
Build the bedrock every cybersecurity professional needs. This IT and networking foundations course takes you from zero IT knowledge through the OSI model, TCP/IP, subnetting and Wireshark packet analysis — available online and in Johannesburg. Along the way you prepare for the ISC² Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) exam (free first attempt) and CompTIA Network+ — the ideal first step in a cybersecurity career in South Africa.
OSI and TCP/IP models deep-dive, IP addressing and subnetting, VLANs, routing protocols (OSPF, BGP basics), switching and the STP. Lab: build and troubleshoot a virtual network topology in Cisco Packet Tracer.
DNS, DHCP, HTTP/S, FTP, SSH, SMTP, POP3/IMAP — how each works and why it matters for security. Wireshark lab: capture and analyse live network traffic, identify protocols and spot anomalies.
The CIA triad, threat actors and attack vectors, basic risk management, authentication vs authorisation, and a first look at cryptography (symmetric vs asymmetric). ISC² CC domain coverage begins.
Build your permanent cybersecurity VM lab: VirtualBox, Kali Linux, and a first target VM. ISC² CC exam preparation, CompTIA Network+ domain review, mock exam practice, and module assessment.
Taught by Arnold — Code College founder, lead trainer and practitioner with 20+ years of developer and security training experience. Live sessions, not recordings.
Every topic has a corresponding lab exercise in your local VM environment. You build, break and defend real systems — building a portfolio of lab evidence from day one.
Attend in-person at Code College's Woodmead campus or join 100% live online from anywhere in South Africa. Both options deliver the same experience.
Earn the “Network Foundations” Code College Digital Badge on passing the module assessment — immediately shareable to LinkedIn. Stack badges toward the full bootcamp certificate.
No. Module 1 is designed for complete beginners. If you can browse the internet and use a computer comfortably, you have enough background. We teach everything else — from what an IP address is to how routers work.
A laptop with at least 8 GB RAM (16 GB preferred) and a 64-bit processor is sufficient for Module 1. We will guide you through installing VirtualBox (free) and Kali Linux (free) during Week 4. No additional hardware purchases are required for this module.
Module 1 fully prepares you for the ISC² Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) exam — which is free to sit for the first attempt — and the CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) exam. Exam fees are separate and paid directly to the certification body.
Module 1 is the mandatory entry point for all three specialist tracks and the full bootcamp. The networking and Linux foundations you build here are used in every subsequent module. It is also the prereq for Module 2 (Security Fundamentals).
ISC² launched the Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) credential to address the global skills shortage. The exam voucher and self-paced study materials are free of charge through ISC²’s One Million Certified programme — a first-pass exam voucher costs you nothing. Module 1 prepares you for the CC alongside CompTIA Network+, making it an ideal first certification to earn before sitting a paid exam like Security+.
Module 1 is the foundation for all three specialist tracks — Pen Tester, SOC Analyst, and GRC & Cloud. After completing Module 1 you will have a clear picture of which path suits your interests. Entry-level cybersecurity roles in South Africa include SOC analyst, junior pen tester, IT security analyst and network security administrator — all of which build on the foundations covered here.
Enrol in this cybersecurity short course as a standalone module or as part of the full Cybersecurity Bootcamp. Live online and in-person in Johannesburg, South Africa.