Gamified Intelligent Cyber Aptitude and Skills Training (GICAST) is a free 24-hour badged course developed by cyber security experts from The Open University and funded by Nesta and the Department for Education. Successful completion will earn you a badge that you can use as evidence of study.
You can find the course here:
Gamified Intelligent Cyber Aptitude and Skills Training (GICAST)
Make sure to read the Introduction and guidance section for information on successfully completing the course.
Who is this course for?
- Do you want to understand cyber security concepts?
- Are you keen to explore a career in the cyber security sector?
- Do you want to feel more confident about your online safety?
If your answer to any of these questions is yes – this introductory course is for you.
What is this course all about?
This course uses unique game-based assessment, which presents you with a series of scenarios to help assess your intuitive cyber behaviour and current understanding of cyber security concepts.
On completing the game at the start of each study week, you’ll be provided with a personalised course pathway to support you with developing knowledge and understanding in cyber security.
Careers in cyber security
Grab your opportunity to make your career move into this rapidly growing industry. With data breaches and cyber-attacks becoming more common and increasingly sophisticated, cyber security professionals have never been in higher demand.
Cyber security is rapidly evolving with everything going online – shopping, banking, education, social networking, along with everything else. Being safe online as well as helping to keep systems and processes safe, be it at home or in the industry, is an urgent need. There is a substantial shortage of skilled personnel in the industry.
Advertised positions in cyber security have doubled in the last two years. Starting salaries for cyber security analysts typically fall between £25,000 and £35,000.
This course's supporters
The course is supported by Cisco Academy, which offers CyberOps Associate and Cybersecurity Essential certifications
The course is endorsed by the CPD standards office and can used as an evidence for continuous professional development.
The course is accredited by the National Cyber Security Centre (part of GCHQ) which is highly valued by employers.
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Article reviews
Firstly, thank you for offering this course for free to people like myself who are really keen to get their foot into the CyberSecurity world.
I have yet to complete the course however – have just opened up the GICAST Youtube channel and found a video confirming if the course was to be completed by the end of Feb '21, you would have earned a free Cyber Ops or Cyber Security Essentials course via. CISCO.
Now this date has passed, I have just noticed on the openlearn pages for the GICAST course, there is mention of the 31st March as the current final date to obtain these free courses; subject to completion of the GICAST course.
Can somebody please confirm if this is the case, currently?
So if I were to complete the GICAST course by the end of this month (March 2021), would I be certain to gain access to one of the free CISCO courses on offer?
I hope this makes some sense and thanks in advance,
Kind Regards,
Ben.
Hi Kostikas,
Congratulations of completing the course. As long as you have enrolled onto the course you statement will be in your account within 24 hours of completion, if you are still having problems after this please let us know by emailing openlearn@open.ac.uk and the team will look into it for you.
Best wishes,
OpenLearn Moderator