Our new Level 4 Certificate in Internet Research and Investigation has now been launched, and is available for centres to apply for approval to deliver. This qualification follows on from the launch of the Level 2 Award for Industrial Cyber Security – Threat Awareness qualification which went live on 1 July 2025, showing our commitment to supporting the protective services with advancing technological training needs.
The aim of the level 4 certificate is to equip learners with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills for conducting secure, ethical, and effective online investigations. It will provide learners with the tools, techniques, and legal understanding required to carry out internet-based research responsibly, while upholding digital security standards and ensuring compliance with data protection legislation.
What are internet-based investigations?
These are investigative activities conducted using the internet as the primary source of information. They often involve tracking, researching, and compiling digital evidence or intelligence that can support enforcement, safeguarding, or operational decisions.
Examples of investigation activities include:
- Open-source intelligence: gathering publicly available information to support investigations.
- Social media monitoring: reviewing posts, profiles, and interactions to identify threats, locate persons of interest, or track movements and affiliations.
- Online surveillance: monitoring of forums, chatrooms, and marketplaces for illegal activity such as the sale of illegal substances, trafficking, radicalisation, or cybercrime.
- Digital footprint: investigating and individual’s or organisation’s online activity to establish connections, timelines or motives.
- IP and device tracking: identifying the source of communications or threats.
Professionals conducting internet-based investigations in the protective services will need to have a thorough understanding of privacy laws, digital evidence handling, and cybersecurity.
The level 4 certificate will help make sure that those contributing to investigations have the skills and knowledge to support investigations and prosecutions, but also to have an active role in crime prevention and detection.
Ready to deliver?
If you are a centre looking to deliver this qualification, get in touch with us today to discuss. If you are not an existing centre, you can start the approval process today to get set up – our quality assurance experts are on hand to help.
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