Cybersecurity (graduate certificate)

Program Overview

Security violations, data breaches, privacy failures and other technology failures are in the news every day and pose a growing threat to business and personal information. This eight-month, full-time graduate certificate program provides students with the security background needed in network technologies, computing hardware, operating systems and protocols to harden and further secure such systems from attack. Students develop, evaluate and support information technology (IT) security solutions by creating cost-effective and secure computing environments that will safeguard networked computer systems, including both on-premise and cloud-based systems. This program helps students become skilled in formulating and organizing security policies and procedures to protect corporate information assets including legal, regulatory and governance issues, and teaches how to detect various hacking and penetration attacks. Students also learn from leaders and industry-connected professors in industry-standard labs.

Admission Requirements

Three-year advanced diploma or degree in a computer-science, IT or business-related field
Proof of English language proficiency required

Minimum of three years of related industry experience detailed in a professional resumé with a letter of intent may be considered
Proof of English language proficiency required

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Tuition

Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
Year one international: $13,852 (CAD)

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Semester 1 Courses

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Graduate certificate

Hands On

Enterprise Security

Intakes and Availability

Date	Domestic Availability	International Availability
September 2022	Open	Open
January 2023	Open

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Computer security consultant
Information security administrator
Network and systems security analyst
Security auditor
Threat-risk/vulnerability specialist

View all Career Options

Program Details

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop. For specific hardware and software requirements for this program click here.

This graduate certificate program is designed for students with previous education and/or relevant experience (please see the entrance requirements section of this page for more detail).

This program will enable you to learn to develop, evaluate and support information technology (IT) security solutions by creating cost-effective and secure computing environments that will safeguard networked computer systems. You will become skilled in formulating and organizing security policies and procedures to protect corporate information assets including legal, regulatory and governance issues. In addition, you will learn to detect various hacking and penetration attacks while exploring forensic methods designed to mine data and preserve the chain of evidence in accordance with regulatory standards.

The curriculum will consider information systems security as it applies to business and provide a hands-on approach to understanding a broad range of security concepts and industry best practices.

Gaining the knowledge required to manage the strategic and operational aspects of information security you will focus on the following areas:

Identifying business assets in need of protection.
Implementing appropriate safeguards to protect businesses.
Measuring the effectiveness of the protection and safeguard methods used.
Implementing vulnerability and remediation of threat vectors.

You will learn detailed, practical aspects of security such as risk analysis, vulnerability testing, writing security policies, implementing access controls and performing security audits. Emphasis will be placed on interpersonal, organizational, technical, communication and troubleshooting skills applied to enhance the effective implementation of information systems.

This program incorporates a hybrid delivery model that includes both in-class and online learning to allow for added flexibility.

Certifications

Students may choose to pursue the following industry certifications, which may require additional exams and/or related work experience to qualify:

CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional (by ISC²)
CEH Certified Ethical Hacker (by EC-Council)
CISA Certified Information Systems Auditor (by ISACA)
GIAC Global Information Assurance Certification (by SANS)

Program Learning Outcomes

Apply knowledge of computer operating systems, networking, and various application to the simulation of business processes.
Develop best practices to protect business resources through the application of knowledge of vulnerabilities and exploits.
Develop security strategies for the deployment of security procedures and protective devices.
Integrate information technology strategies that support business functions by employing knowledge of best practices of business processes and systems.
Develop security plans and strategies to include acceptable use of business information and systems by internal employees, contractors, consultants, business partners and customers.
Develop security plans and strategies to ensure the integrity of information in compliance with best practices, relevant policies, standards, and regulations.
Apply project management principles in the deployment of security policies and strategies.
Perform security audits to ensure compliance with security plans, policies, standards, regulations and best practices.
Develop and deliver a corporate training program to communicate both orally and in writing the security requirements for compliance with security policies.
Prepare security documentation for approval by senior management and present results of security audits.

Admission Requirements

Three-year advanced diploma or degree in a computer-science, IT or business-related field
Proof of English language proficiency required

Minimum of three years of related industry experience detailed in a professional resumé with a letter of intent may be considered
Proof of English language proficiency required

Courses

The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change. Please note that as a result of COVID-19 the 2022-23 program of study may be modified to accommodate program delivery changes.

Costs

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Computer security consultant
Information security administrator
Network and systems security analyst
Security auditor
Threat-risk/vulnerability specialist

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Accounting firms
Banks
Systems and networking organizations
IT security firms
Independent consulting
Colleges and universities
Any medium-to-large size organization

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Graduates of this program with an appropriate three-year advanced diploma and three years of appropriate work experience, graduating with a grade point average of B+ or higher will be considered for direct entry into Ontario Tech’s Master of IT Security program. Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions.Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

Laptop Requirements

MINIMUM REQUIRED HARDWARE

Intel I7 or AMD Ryzen 7 processor or better with chipset that must support virtualization
16 GB of RAM
1 TB hard drive
Ethernet Network Card or USB to Ethernet adapter
Wireless Network Card
One USB 3.0 port (two preferred)
Webcam
Microphone (headset preferred)

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

Windows 10 Professional Edition

Optional work term

Participating in the optional work term semester is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations.

Effective September 2022, students in the Cybersecurity graduate certificate program will be invited to apply to the optional work term semester during their first academic semester. Entrance to the optional work term semester is limited and the processes for securing a work term are competitive. Students who qualify for the optional work term semester will be eligible to complete a four-month, paid or unpaid work term after academic semester 2.

Supports are available through the Experiential Learning office to assist students with securing their work terms. In addition, the Experiential Learning office is in contact with work term students and their employers during the work terms to help with any questions.

Program sequence

SEPTEMBER INTAKE:

	Fall (September to December)	Winter (January to April)	Summer (May to August)
Year 1	Academic semester 1	Academic semester 2	Optional work term

JANUARY INTAKE:

	Winter (January to April)	Summer (May to August)	Fall (September to December)
Year 1	Academic semester 1	Academic semester 2	Optional work term

Courses

WORK TERM OPTION

SEMESTER 1

SEMESTER 2

SEMESTER 3

Work Term 1 (CYSW 1000)
The work term will provide students with work experience in cybersecurity. The work term expands students’ learning environment to real work settings where they will be challenged to apply their academic knowledge and practical skills.

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change.

Administrative fee

Once transferred to the work term option of this program, students will have an administrative fee of $475 assessed to their accounts during the academic semester(s) prior to scheduled work term(s). The administrative fee goes to support the broad array of support services provided to work term students. These services are dedicated to support student success.

Co-op Work Permits

If you are an international student enrolled in the work term option, you are required to have a valid co-op work permit before starting your work term. You must apply for and receive a Social Insurance Number in order to work in Canada. Documentation and instructions on how to apply for a co-op work permit will be provided only to students who are successful with their application into the work term option once semester 1 grades have been finalized.

Cybersecurity (graduate certificate)

Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Tuition

Semester 1 Courses

Intakes and Availability

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Program Details

Certifications

Program Learning Outcomes

Admission Requirements

Recommended

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Costs

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Laptop Requirements

MINIMUM REQUIRED HARDWARE

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

Optional work term

Program sequence

SEPTEMBER INTAKE:

JANUARY INTAKE:

Courses

WORK TERM OPTION

SEMESTER 1

SEMESTER 2

SEMESTER 3

Administrative fee

Co-op Work Permits

Learn more

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Helpful Resources

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Financial Aid Information

Graduate Employment Report [PDF]

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