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About
Cyber Security
Canada’s leading cyber security courses, security training programs, and cyber security certifications will teach you how to identify and manage security threats that risk putting critical private, business and government information in the wrong hands.
Learn how to safeguard software programs, computer networks and hardware devices against security breaches from malicious hackers while joining one of North America’s fastest-growing workforces.
Cyber security is the practice of safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring the integrity of computer systems, data, and networks – a field with abundant job opportunities. A 2021 international security association study identified a shortage of 25,000 cyber security professionals in the Canadian job market as one in six roles are left unfilled. As for cyber security job prospects in the US, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported a 33 per cent increase in information security analyst roles from 2020 to 2030.
While no industry is recession proof, hiring trends show that demand for cyber security talent will remain steady even throughout an economic downturn. This pertains to the essential role of digital services and data to business operations, so safeguarding these areas will remain a high priority.
Programs preparing graduates for cyber security jobs should include formal education and practical experience to ensure students are on top of the latest trends. An excellent way of gaining that practical experience is through a co-op program, an internship, or through capstone projects.
Those enrolled in cyber security courses can expect to learn encryption techniques and vulnerability assessment, while learning about security policy development, cloud security, and how to comply with industry standards.
As for technical skills, students can expect to acquire knowledge in cloud computing, network topologies, and networking. They’ll also learn how operating systems work, and gain an understanding of anti-virus principles, firewalls, and VPNs.
Potential career paths in the cyber security field are as varied as their earning potential, but some of the highest pay for specific roles according to Glassdoor include: Cyber Security Engineers, which earn anywhere between $61,000 to $160,000; Security Analysts, which have a salary range of $93,000 to $117,000; and Chief Information Security Officers (CISO), who pull in salaries ranging from $142,000 to $245,000.
The average annual salary of a cyber security professional in Canada is nearly $90,000. Common job titles in this fast-growing field include: Security Analyst, Security Engineer, Security Architect, Cryptographer and Security Consultant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What skills are needed to become a cyber security expert?
You’ll need “soft” and “hard” technical skills to become a cyber security expert, and which combination of skills you need will depend on the size and type of company that employs you. For example, someone in a network security role at a small company or organization might be expected to secure basic network infrastructure. However, larger organizations might require expertise in managing and designing network security architecture.
Cyber security experts will possess an at least foundational understanding of networking, cloud computing, and network topologies, knowledge of program syntax, familiarity with operating systems and how they work, and an understanding of VPNs, anti-virus principles, and firewalls.
As for soft skills, communication, problem-solving, a growth mindset, and a passion for continuous learning are qualities that cyber security experts will need to compete in this fast-evolving field. To be sure, the ability to communicate complex technical issues to non-technical leadership at your company, agency or organization will help separate you from the pack.
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What cyber security career paths are there?
There are many different career paths within the cyber security field. You might begin building your understanding by breaking these pathways into two categories: “generalists” and “specialists”.
Generalists have broad knowledge and skill sets and are expected to juggle multiple responsibilities. For example, they might oversee security measures or encryption protocols. Project managers, analysts, auditors, and support staff are some of the titles associated with generalists in this field.
Specialists, on the other hand, usually have expertise in specific tools and technologies, with advanced knowledge in a specific niche within the cyber security field. For example, an Identity and Access Management (IAM) Specialist focuses mainly on managing and controlling user access to systems, data, and applications within an organization. Meanwhile, someone who specializes in penetration testing will simulate cyber attacks to identify weaknesses in systems, networks, and applications before malicious hackers can exploit them.
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What education is needed for a career in cyber security?
There are various career paths in the cyber security field, depending on whether you would like to become a specialist or generalist. A bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering, along with professional development courses in cyber security will provide a helpful foundation for work in the field. Some universities also offer master’s programs in cyber security, which are useful for those interested in specialist areas such as network security, cryptography, and ethical hacking.
However, it’s worth considering that university programs may not always be able to keep pace with fast-evolving cyber security technologies and threats, so hands-on, practical experience should accompany academic training.
There is also a number of globally recognized cyber security certifications professionals at all stages of their career can pursue to expand their knowledge and boost their employability.
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Do cyber security employers value hands-on experience?
Practical experience is highly valued in cyber security, as experience solving problems in real-world scenarios is essential to this fast-evolving field. Ways to gain hands-on experience include university co-op programs and capstone projects, internships, and cyber security labs.
Professionals can also take part in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions, where real-world scenarios are simulated for participants to solve a number of security-related tasks. The competition is designed to test a broad range of cyber security skills, including reverse engineering, network analysis, cryptography, and penetration testing.
Here, by the way, are some Canadian CTF competitions worth exploring.
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Which certifications are best for a cyber security career?
Here are some of the most in-demand cyber security certifications across Canada.
CompTiaSecurity+ is an internationally-recognized certification that validates baseline cyber security skills. With the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) designation, you’ll learn how to assess risk, respond to incidents proactively, and implement enterprise governance.
The Certified Information Security Auditors (CISA) is a global certification for professionals conducting audits to assess IT and business systems within an organization. Finally, the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) requires 5+ years of work experience, and showcases a cyber security professional’s ability to lead information security initiatives within an organization.
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What salary can I expect as a cyber security professional?
While salaries for cyber security professionals differ based on their chosen career paths, experience and location, the average salary across Canada for cyber security professionals is $81,008–as reported by Glassdoor. Some common salary ranges include: $47,000 to $134,000 for a computer forensics analyst, $57,000 to $160,000 for a penetration tester, and $71,000 to $175,000 for a malware analyst.
As for some of the highest average salaries in the field: cyber security engineers make $61,000 to $160,000; security analysts earn $93,000 to $117,000; and chief information security officers (CISO) may earn lucrative salaries of up to $245,000.