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  • Cybersecurity (graduate certificate)

Cybersecurity (graduate certificate)

MINISTRY-APPROVED PROGRAM TITLE: INFORMATION SYSTEMS SECURITY – COMPUTERS AND NETWORKING

Credential
Ontario College graduate certificate
Location
Oshawa
School
School of Business, IT & Management (BITM)
Length
Two semesters
OCAS Code
CYSC
Next Intake
September 2021   +View all Intakes
Laptop
Learn more about laptop requirements
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  • Overview
  • Program Details
  • Admission Requirements
  • Courses
  • Costs
  • Career Options
  • Transfer
  • Laptop

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

OR

  • 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

View All Requirements

Tuition

Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
Year one international: $13,322 (CAD)

View Full Costs

Semester 1 Courses

  • Incident Handling And Response (MGMT 1212)
  • Network Systems & Components (NETW 1200)
  • Wireless Network Security (NETW 1203)
  • Information Security (SECR 1200)
  • Operating System Security (SECR 1201)
  • Business Processes & Security Policies (SECR 1202)

View All Courses

Graduate certificate
Graduate certificate
Hands On
Hands On
Enterprise Security
Enterprise Security

Intakes and Availability

Date Domestic Availability International Availability
September 2021OpenOpen
January 2022OpenOpen

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 regulation 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

  1. Apply knowledge of computer operating systems, networking, and various application to the simulation of business processes.
  2. Develop best practices to protect business resources through the application of knowledge of vulnerabilities and exploits.
  3. Develop security strategies for the deployment of security procedures and protective devices.
  4. Integrate information technology strategies that support business functions by employing knowledge of best practices of business processes and systems.
  5. Develop security plans and strategies to include acceptable use of business information and systems by internal employees, contractors, consultants, business partners and customers.
  6. Develop security plans and strategies to ensure the integrity of information in compliance with best practices, relevant policies, standards, and regulations.
  7. Apply project management principles in the deployment of security policies and strategies.
  8. Perform security audits to ensure compliance with security plans, policies, standards, regulations and best practices.
  9. Develop and deliver a corporate training program to communicate both orally and in writing the security requirements for compliance with security policies.
  10. 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

    OR

    • 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

    Recommended

    Working knowledge of transmission control and Internet protocols (TCP/IP); basic networking concepts; Microsoft and Linux server platforms; virtualization and cloud computing; and basic understanding of computer hardware.

    Applicants whose first language is not English or who are internationally educated in a non‐English speaking country must meet Durham College’s English Language Proficiency Policy.

    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 MyCampus.

    Semester 1

    • Incident Handling And Response (MGMT 1212)
    • Network Systems & Components (NETW 1200)
    • Wireless Network Security (NETW 1203)
    • Information Security (SECR 1200)
    • Operating System Security (SECR 1201)
    • Business Processes & Security Policies (SECR 1202)

    Semester 2

    • Computer Forensics (CFOR 2201)
    • Hacking & Exploits (HACK 2200)
    • Law & Ethics In Forensic Investigations (LAW 2211)
    • Network Monitoring & Penetration Testing (NETW 2200)
    • Access Controls (PROG 2203)
    • Security Auditing & Governance (SECR 2200)

    Courses and course descriptions are subject to change. Please note that as a result of COVID-19 the 2020-21 program of study may be modified to accommodate program delivery changes. Students should refer to their timetable for the most up-to-date course information.

    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-sized 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 RECOMMENDED 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

    Cybersecurity (graduate certificate) in the news

    Durham College launches Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation
     View more News
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