In this module we will look at the Cloud and Infrastructure topics which major companies will be using at this time. Below is a general list of topics that will be covered:

On Site Infrastructure:
Workstation Virtualisation
Server Virtualisation
VDI Deployments
Monitoring Systems

Cloud Infrastructure:
Cloud Computing Roles
Good Design Considerations
Storage and Data movement Considerations
Database selection and justification
Cloud Networking
Hybrid Networks
Application and Environment Security
Scalability of the cloud
Monitoring of an environment
Caching Techniques
Serverless Compute
Web API Gateways

Students will be able to work in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) environment to practice their theoretical understanding. A number of tutorials will be provided which the student can follow to build up confidence. In addition, a separate account will be provided where the student can generate their own direct learning and problem solving.

BCS / TechSkills / Employability elements:
Security concepts and approaches deployed within the cloud computing discipline
Evaluation of systems in relation to cloud computing and security
Problem solving in systems defining the balance between access and adequate security measures put in place

REPORT - Written Report – You will write a report identifying, with examples, the problems of the original business application provided. You will document principles of cloud technologies that have been used from practical sessions to refactor the application, and describe any artefacts created within your work.

PRACTICAL - Practical Test – You will practically investigate a given case study in an hour practical session and complete a defined task to configure a live environment for the purpose to solve a set business/networking access issue.

Within this module students will have a seminar session in which they will be looking at various technologies in detail and how a corporate environment can make use of this. In addition, we will also be using the AWS environment to try out different theories practically by setting this up so students can understand different settings which are made available. At the end students will have a good understanding of what choices a corporate environment needs to make each day work in terms of its digital environment and associated security issues.

1. Evaluate the need for cloud and virtualisation technologies within a business context.

Knowledge and Understanding
Reflection

2. Analyse the operation of Cloud technologies through practical usage within the context of current computing technologies.

Application and Problem Solving
Digital Literacy

3. Demonstrate cloud security configurations, implementing Identity and Access Management (IAM), configuring security groups, and setting up a secure cloud VPC

Application and Problem Solving
Critical Reasoning and Collaboration

VMWare Academic Licence Program

On Campus Server Class Hardware

Specialist Computing Laboratory

AWS Academy Environment Account

AWS Learner Lab account to carry out further experiments and enhance the learning

Lewis, J. (2025), Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK v5) Study Guide 2025-2026: Your All-in-One Prep to Success with Practice Questions, Detailed Explanations, and Expert Strategies, Independently Published

Jaskolski, M. (2025), CompTIA A+, Network+, IT Fundamentals (ITF+), Security+, CySA+, Cloud+ & Linux+ Certification 2025-2026, Independently Published

Brown, and Cartwright, VMware vSphere 6.7 Data Center Design Cookbook, Packt Publishing

Wilkins, (2021), AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, Pearson

DevOps, containers, and Amazon Web Services, Packt Publishing

Lloyd, (2022), Infrastructure Leader’s Guide to Google Cloud: Lead Your Organization's Google Cloud Adoption, Migration and Modernization Journey, Kindle Edition

The world of computer operations and networking is an ever-evolving field with new technology being developed and rapidly introduced into corporations. One of the disruptor technologies is the introduction of Cloud computing into the cooperate environment. Initially we will teach concepts of on-site infrastructure using VMWare and Open-Source Software, grounding your knowledge in infrastructure before introducing Amazon Web Services (AWS) as an environment to further your understanding. The developments within Cloud have allowed for changes and companies are now adapting to these new models of usage. Any graduate needs to be able to evaluate current and near future technology in context of the requirements of the industry they are working within. This module will look at current and near future technologies and provide the information so that you can further develop lifelong learning skills with being able to evaluate innovative technology in relation to their current understanding. This is relevant in the field of Cloud computing as the technology is changing at a very rapid rate.