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Mandatory requirements
To apply for this program, you must:
- be sponsored by your current employer
- submit your application through Apply Alberta.
Overview
Are you ready to take your IT career to the next level and become a cybersecurity expert? With cybercrime on the rise and ever-increasing digitalization, there has never been a better time to enhance your skills and join the ranks of cybersecurity professionals.
The Cyber Security Analyst program is the first of its kind in North America to offer apprenticeship-style training in the cybersecurity field.
This program is for employers interested in developing competencies within their in-house security team. As 51% of training is done in the workplace, your employer must sponsor you for this program.
Our program will equip you with the knowledge and expertise you need to thrive in this expanding field. Whether you’re an IT enthusiast looking to pivot your career, a seasoned professional or a software engineer seeking to stay ahead of the curve, this computer security program is your ticket to success.
In this program, you will:
- gain a solid grounding in cyber security risk and compliance
- learn how to respond to and mitigate cyber incidents swiftly
- understand how to safeguard critical data and infrastructure from relentless cyber threats
- acquire the ability to enhance security operations and drive business value.
As a cyber security professional, you’ll be at the forefront of safeguarding digital assets and ensuring your business or organization’s resiliency and peace of mind. This field is in high demand and offers competitive salaries and the opportunity to safeguard business operations. Our program can help you get there.
Those working in the cyber security analysis field tend to be innovative, objective and directive.
You need:
- analytical skills
- speaking and writing skills
- an inquiring and inventive mind
- an eye for details
- patience and an organized approach to troubleshooting
- decision-making and problem-solving skills
- math and science skills
- teaching skills
- time-management skills.
The opportunity to advance your education by transferring into this program or gain credit for previous postsecondary courses may be available.
There may also be opportunities to further your education once you graduate.
Learn more about program and institution transfer options.
You’ll participate in a cooperative work term course, allowing you to apply your classroom learning in a practical workplace setting and gain valuable industry experience.
Once you graduate, you’ll be prepared with the knowledge to take the Security+ and Comp Tia+ exams and earn your certifications.
Upon successful completion of this program, you will be awarded a SAIT Cyber Security Analyst post-diploma certificate.
Careers and opportunities
Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.
Associated National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 21220, 21222.
Career counselling and support
Unsure which career path is for you? SAIT offers career planning services to help you decide your future.
You can also get started by taking our online career finder quiz, which can help you narrow down your search based on your current skills and interests.
Finally, you can also head to Alberta alis for various tools and resources, including additional quizzes and labour market information to help you narrow down a career path.
Services and workshopsCourses
The Cyber Security Analyst certificate requires 30 credits (10 courses) to complete.
The program spans 18 months.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
This course introduces you to the fundamental concepts in cyber security, including cyber risk management, host and network security, identification and access control, cryptography and organizational security. This course is mapped to the CompTIA Security+ industry certification: SY0-601, a globally recognized entry-level certification for many cyber security jobs. During lectures, activities and labs, you’ll cover attacks, threats and vulnerabilities, architecture and design, operations and incident response (IR), and implementation. The course examines governance, risk management and compliance (GRC). Equivalents:
|
3 |
|
This course provides an overview of business operations and change management for cyber security. You’ll examine the sociological and cultural aspects of cyber security operations and the cyber security business continuity process. You’ll explore commissioning and operations for system testing and patching programs and analyze cybersecurity network architecture and operations related to network integrity and data management. You’ll also examine cyber security forensics, incident handling, and the processes involved in security operations centres (SOCs). You’ll finish the course by preparing an implementation plan for an organizational DevSecOps. Corequsites:
|
3 |
|
This course examines the cyber security standards and frameworks essential for any organization. You will recommend components of standards and frameworks, including NIST CSF, NERC CIP and COBIT, for implementation and audit, and you’ll summarize information security governance and strategic components. You will also evaluate the functional components of an information security program, analyze existing security management models and practices, and develop robust implementation plans and procedures. You’ll examine how these standards and frameworks are generally applied in organizations and focus on specific sectors, including implementing security standards in industrial environments. |
3 |
|
Students will classify security risks and threats to assess the impact on business operations. Exploration of current cyber threats will assist the students in identifying potential impacts of security breaches. Corequsites:
|
3 |
|
Students will define appropriate response and mitigation options and implement the necessary controls, monitoring, and reporting to ensure business continuity, defending and developing a response to cyber attack incidents. Corequsites:
|
3 |
|
Topics include the fundamentals of IP networking, securing routing protocols, designing intrusion detection and prevention systems, implementing modern firewalls and securing virtual and cloud networks. Corequsites:
|
3 |
|
As global cyber security evolves, industry professionals need to understand current developments. In this course, students will explore the current cybersecurity environment, security laws and ethical practices. Students will analyze cyber capabilities as the fifth domain of warfare, learn how to make an organization’s cyber assets resilient and implement incident response plans. The focus is also on communicating security-related issues to an organization’s senior management. Corequsites:
|
3 |
|
Discover the world of ethical hacking and learn how to identify and eliminate vulnerabilities in this hands-on penetration testing course. You will develop the mindset of a hacker and master tools to ethically exploit weaknesses in networks, web applications, and systems. You will hone your skills in identifying, exploiting, and reporting security flaws through simulated real-world scenarios and practical labs, preparing you to become a valuable asset in defending organizations against cyber threats. Corequsites:
|
3 |
|
This course will allow you to explore the various areas of cyber security as a career and to develop personal career goals for career growth and certification preparation. |
3 |
|
This cooperative work term course provides the opportunity to apply your classroom learning in a practical workplace setting and gain valuable industry experience. |
3 |
Progression
Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.
Admission requirements
Applicants educated in Canada
Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and meet the following requirements or equivalents:
- your current employer must sponsor you
- you have completed a post-secondary degree or diploma from a recognized university, institute or college
- a combination of education and experience may be considered and is subject to approval by the Academic Chair.
All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English Language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find out what educational documents are accepted and assessment options.
SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.
Academic Upgrading
Missing an admission requirement for this program? Upgrade your prior education to help you receive admission into one of SAIT's career programs.
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English language proficiency
All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.
Learn moreAvailable intakes
Fall 2024
Start dates:
- Domestic students: Open
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Application deadline: June 28, 2024
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Costs
2024/25 tuition and fees
The following estimated costs are effective as of July 1, 2024.
Domestic students
Books and supplies are approximately $2,300 per full-time year.
This is a bring-your-own-device program with a custom hardware and software requirement. The recommended hardware and software requirements are:
- Processor: i7
- RAM: 16 GB or greater
- Storage: 512 GB SSD or greater
- Video card: onboard integrated
- Screen size: 15" or greater
- Screen resolution: 1920 x 1080 or greater
- OS version: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit with antivirus/malware protection
- Approximate price (CAD): $1,800
Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date.
Can’t find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they’re still refining course details or if you're in luck; no textbook purchase is required this term.
2023/24 tuition and fees
The following costs are effective until June 30, 2023.
Domestic students
Financial aid
Paying for your education may feel overwhelming, but we have resources and programs that can help, including information about payment options, student loans, grants and scholarships.
Learn moreApplication process
Ready to apply?
Follow our step-by-step guide to submitting a successful application.
Communication during admission
Email is the primary source of communication during the selection process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the sadt.advising@sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
Begin your application
Apply now using the online application portal.
Ensure you have a valid Visa or Mastercard to pay the non-refundable application fee of $120 for domestic applicants or $150 for international applicants.
Apply nowInformation sessions
Prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or get the details you need to decide your future path.
Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions and provide information about the following:
- What sets SAIT apart
- An introduction to the program and area of study
- Admission requirements
- Future career paths
- Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates.
Contact us
School for Advanced Digital Technology
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Phone - 403.284.8543
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Email - sadt.advising@sait.ca
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