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Postgraduate DiplomaDefense, Military Engineering & Land Systems Applications open

Diploma in NATO Secure Communications

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in NATO secure communications, structured in 8 modules covering allied communications architecture, HF, VHF and UHF links (STANAG 5066), information protection (STANAG 4774), messaging and services (STANAG 4406), transmission networks, accreditation and risk management, and interoperability, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the NATO federated communications architecture.

02

Plan HF, VHF and UHF links in line with the applicable STANAGs.

03

Apply information labelling and cryptographic protection.

04

Design secure messaging and collaboration services.

05

Dimension resilient transmission networks.

06

Prepare node accreditation processes.

07

Plan multinational interoperability testing.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Military communications engineers.
  • Network security specialists.
  • CIS systems planners.
  • Accreditation managers.
  • Interoperability engineers.
  • Classified network administrators.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the defence sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • STANAG 5066 (HF data communications protocol)
  • STANAG 4774 (confidentiality metadata labelling)
  • STANAG 4406 (military message handling system)
  • STANAG 4778 (metadata binding mechanism)
  • STANAG 4538 (automatic link establishment for HF radio)
  • STANAG 4285 (HF modem waveform)
  • NATO C-M(2002)49 (NATO security policy)
  • NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 (security and privacy controls for information systems)
  • VOACAP
  • Wireshark
  • GNS3
  • Riverbed Modeler
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Federated Mission Networking
  2. 1.2Protected Core Networking
  3. 1.3Network classification levels
  4. 1.4Mission networks
  5. 1.5Deployable communications
  6. 1.6Service federation
  7. 1.7The NCIA agency
  8. 1.8Service catalogue
  9. 1.9Technical interoperability
  10. 1.10Practical exercise: federation diagram for a mission
  1. 2.1STANAG 4285 and 4539 HF modems
  2. 2.2STANAG 5066 data protocol
  3. 2.3STANAG 4538 automatic link establishment
  4. 2.4Combat VHF networks
  5. 2.5Tactical UHF communications
  6. 2.6Coalition waveforms
  7. 2.7Ionospheric propagation
  8. 2.8Frequency planning
  9. 2.9Radio network management
  10. 2.10Laboratory: planning an HF link with VOACAP
  1. 3.1Labelling to STANAG 4774
  2. 3.2STANAG 4778 label binding
  3. 3.3Link and end-to-end encryption
  4. 3.4The SCIP protocol
  5. 3.5Approved cryptographic products
  6. 3.6Key management
  7. 3.7Identity management
  8. 3.8Public key infrastructure
  9. 3.9Cross-domain solutions
  10. 3.10Workshop: data labelling with STANAG 4774
  1. 4.1STANAG 4406 military messaging
  2. 4.2XMPP chat
  3. 4.3Formal email
  4. 4.4Secure voice over IP
  5. 4.5Secure videoconferencing
  6. 4.6Shared information services
  7. 4.7ISR data distribution
  8. 4.8Quality of service
  9. 4.9Service management
  10. 4.10Case study: service catalogue for a mission network
  1. 5.1IP in tactical environments
  2. 5.2MANET networks
  3. 5.3Satellite segment
  4. 5.4Broadband radio links
  5. 5.5End-to-end quality of service
  6. 5.6Deployable backbone network
  7. 5.7Redundancy and resilience
  8. 5.8Network management
  9. 5.9Monitoring
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: quality of service design
  1. 6.1NATO security policy
  2. 6.2Accreditation process
  3. 6.3Accreditation authorities
  4. 6.4Product evaluation
  5. 6.5TEMPEST protection
  6. 6.6Risk management
  7. 6.7Security audits
  8. 6.8Incident management
  9. 6.9The NCIRC centre
  10. 6.10Case study: accreditation file for a node
  1. 7.1The CWIX exercise
  2. 7.2Interoperability testing
  3. 7.3Lessons learned
  4. 7.4Test scenarios
  5. 7.5Service validation
  6. 7.6Capability certification
  7. 7.75G networks in defence
  8. 7.8Post-quantum cryptography
  9. 7.9AI in network management
  10. 7.10Case study: test plan for CWIX
  1. 8.1Mission scenario
  2. 8.2Service requirements
  3. 8.3Network architecture
  4. 8.4Link selection
  5. 8.5Security measures
  6. 8.6Accreditation plan
  7. 8.7Interoperability plan
  8. 8.8Risk management
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme can be combined with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is VOACAP, Wireshark, GNS3 and Riverbed Modeler, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for multinational interoperability testing, HF link planning and network node accreditation. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: STANAG 5066, STANAG 4774, STANAG 4406, STANAG 4778, STANAG 4538, STANAG 4285, NATO C-M(2002)49, NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of STANAG 5066, STANAG 4774 and STANAG 4406 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:VOACAP, Wireshark, GNS3 and Riverbed Modeler, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:an allied secure network design for a mission scenario, with architecture, security measures, accreditation and interoperability plans, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

HF link planning
Plan an HF link with VOACAP in line with STANAG 5066 and STANAG 4538.
Data labelling
Label and bind classified data using STANAG 4774 and STANAG 4778.
Quality of service design
Design end-to-end quality of service for a tactical transmission network.
Node accreditation file
Prepare the accreditation file for a network node, including risk management.
Final project
A complete allied secure network for a mission scenario, with security, accreditation and interoperability plans, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Military communications engineerNetwork security specialistCIS systems plannerAccreditation managerInteroperability engineerClassified network administrator
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with VOACAP, Wireshark, GNS3 and Riverbed Modeler, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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