Cyber Security for Control Systems

Credential:: Post-Diploma Certificate
Program length:: 21 weeks
Campus:: Main
International applicants:: Accepted PGWP eligible
Faculty:: School for Advanced Digital Technology

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Micro-credentials focus on the mastery of specific skills. You receive a digital, shareable badge upon completing a SAIT micro-credential (SAITMicro).

Mandatory requirements

To apply for this program, you must have previously completed post-secondary studies at an accredited post-secondary institution or provide proof of related work experience.

Review admission requirements for more details.

Overview

The Cyber Security for Control Systems post-diploma certificate program addresses the business risks of securing control systems in drilling and well sites, power plants, power grids, water plants, manufacturing, production lines, telecommunications and hospitals.

Many of these systems were previously analog-based but are currently networked and digital, placing them at greater risk for cyber-attacks. Many concepts will be similar to those used to secure information in technology systems. Still, the training will focus on the specific constraints of securing control systems in the industrial environment.

It applies to employees of organizations relying on technology, whether their cybersecurity focus is on information technology (IT), industrial control systems (ICS), cyber-physical systems (CPS), or connected devices more generally, including the Internet of Things (IoT). Thus, while this program is focused on graduates who can improve cybersecurity risk management in control system environments, it can be used by graduates in many organizations — regardless of size, degree of cybersecurity risk, or cybersecurity sophistication — to apply the principles and best practices of risk management to improve safety, reliability, security and resilience of these systems.

This is an intensive program requiring a commitment of both time and energy. Students who experience success are those who make their education a priority throughout the program.

You have education and/or work experience in industrial systems (SCADA, PLCs, Instrumentation, etc.) and/or computer networking or related fields.

You understand the importance of cybersecurity and are intrigued by how critical infrastructure and operations technologies can be compromised and want to protect these assets. You have a robust ethical standard and a curious mind.

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 by transferring to another institution once you graduate.

Learn more about program and institution transfer options.

This program has a capstone project that allows students to use all the techniques gained throughout the program to expose vulnerabilities in large systems specific to industrial control systems.

International applicants can apply for two consecutive programs at the same time to create a two-year bundle with Management and Leadership and the Data Analytics or Cyber Security Security for Control Systems post-diploma certificates.

In the first year of study, you'll complete the Cyber Security for Control Systems program. one of the following post-diploma certificates:

Cyber Security for Control Systems focuses on addressing the business risks specific to securing control systems in different industries, including business, digital technology, manufacturing, telecommunications, and more.
Data Analytics focuses on predictive analytics, which uses statistical models and forecasting to understand possible future scenarios, as well as prescriptive analytics, which uses optimization and simulation to produce recommendations on possible outcomes.

In the second year of study, you will complete a Management and Leadership certificate to prepare you to lead a team through disruptive change to the working environment.

Upon completion of both certificate programs, you'll receive a post-diploma certificate and a Management and Leadership certificate and may qualify for a post-graduate work permit of up to three years. If you only complete one of the programs, you may be eligible for a one-year post-graduate work permit.

Applicants must meet one of the following (or equivalent) requirements:

Completion of a two-year diploma or undergraduate degree in information technology, instrumentation or related technical discipline.
Three to five years of work experience in business, information technology, instrumentation, or a related technical discipline would also be accepted with approval from the program academic chair.

A combination of education and experience will be considered.

International students who wish to take this program must do so as part of a bundled program. Upon successful completion of the program, you may qualify for a post-graduation work permit for up to a maximum of three years.

Learn more about international bundle programs >

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will receive a SAIT Cyber Security for Control Systems post-diploma certificate.

Download program info

Careers and opportunities

Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.

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 workshops

Courses

The Cyber Security for Control Systems certificate requires 27.4 credits (10 courses) to complete.

Course	Credits
This course examines industry standards used in the life cycle management of industrial control systems. You will consider NIST, ISA/IEC 62243 and ISO 27001 in the context of industry examples. You will also learn how to assess the maturity of an industrial control system through audits and related compliance activities and how to develop remediation projects in response to audit reports.	3
This course defines and explores the industrial control system (ICS) and where it is used in our day-to-day lives. The topics include attack vectors and the application of appropriate barriers to ensure systems' reliability, availability, confidentiality and integrity. The ICS security ecosystem, the future of ICS, the industrial internet of things, cyber security and ongoing cyber security professional development will also be covered. Pre-requisites: CPRG 407 or CPSY 401	3
Understanding the criticality of ICS, how the physical process works and understanding the consequences and differences between corporate and control and threats and vulnerabilities. Being able to assess risks, defensive, postures and recommend actions. Understand security basics (CIA, TRIAD, AIC). Pre-requisites: CPRG 407 or CPSY 401	3
This course introduces basic switching, routing and general network communication protocols from the functionality and vulnerability viewpoints. Topics include TCP/IP networking, ICS protocols and terminology, network design, troubleshooting and tools. Pre-requisites: CPRG 407 or CPSY 401	3
This course examines the evolution of strategic thought from antiquity to the modern day. The coursework focuses on continuities and discontinuities in strategic analysis and theory.	1.5
This course examines the concepts used in industrial control systems' threat and vulnerability management. You will consider real-life examples of managing threats, vulnerabilities of ICS systems and attacks aimed at ICS systems. You will also learn how to leverage cyber intelligence, including darkweb-based cyber intelligence in improving the cyber maturity of an industrial control system.	3
Defending and developing a response to cyber attack incidents. Pre-requisites: ITSC 402	3
This course provides an overview of business operations and change management for ICS security. You will learn basic communication skills, including technical writing and presentation skills, and examine topics such as continuity planning, business drivers for ICS operations, and the importance of self-attitude and customer focus. You will also consider ICS network design and how to troubleshoot network issues. Pre-requisites: ITSC 402	1.5
This capstone project provides students with simulated environments for penetration testing and hardening. The emphasis is that students use all the techniques gained throughout the program to expose vulnerabilities in large systems specific to ICS. The final project will be a documented penetration of a well-protected system and a presentation of recommendations for hardening the system. Pre-requisites: CMPC 401 CMPC 402 CMPC 403 CMPN 403 ITSC 401 ITSC 403 MMGT 400	3

Choose one of the following electives, considered pre-requisite electives.

Course	Credits
This course provides an overview of industrial control systems using digital controllers. Besides providing learners with an introduction to Programmable Logic Controller, practical outcomes for this course include configuring and programming a Programmable Logic Controller, applying the IEC 61131-3 industrial controller programming languages and then combining this knowledge to program an automatic control system.	3
This introductory course provides ICS operators with training in IT concepts, shell scripting and an understanding of devices with an embedded OS/firmware. Topics include Wintel, networking and storage.	3

Course

Credits

This course provides an overview of industrial control systems using digital controllers. Besides providing learners with an introduction to Programmable Logic Controller, practical outcomes for this course include configuring and programming a Programmable Logic Controller, applying the IEC 61131-3 industrial controller programming languages and then combining this knowledge to program an automatic control system.

This introductory course provides ICS operators with training in IT concepts, shell scripting and an understanding of devices with an embedded OS/firmware. Topics include Wintel, networking and storage.

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.

Review our grading and progression procedure >

Admission requirements

Applicants educated in Canada

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and meet one of the following requirements or equivalents:

completion of a two-year diploma or undergraduate degree in information technology, instrumentation, or related technical discipline
three to five years of experience in information technology, instrumentation or a related technical discipline would also be accepted with approval from the program academic chair. A combination of education and experience will be considered.

This program is only available for international students as a bundled program. Please see the specialized intake information above.

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 more

Available intakes

Winter 2024

Start dates:

Jan 08, 2024

Domestic students: Open: Application deadline: Oct. 26, 2023
International students: Closed: Application deadline: Sept. 28, 2023

Fall 2024

Start dates:

Sep 03, 2024

Domestic students: Open: Application deadline: June 28, 2024

Costs

2023/24 tuition and fees

The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2023. They are an estimate of tuition and fees based on the recommended course load per year.

Domestic students

Year	Number of semesters	Tuition fees	Additional fees	Total per year
1	2	$13,905	$1,570	$15,475
Total cost:				$15,475

Year	Number of semesters	Tuition fees	Additional fees	Total per year
1	2	$23,862.87	$1,570	$25,432.87
Total cost:				$25,432.87

Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 - $1,500 per full-time year.

This is a bring-your-own-device program with a power-user hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.

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.

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 more

Fees

Your fees are calculated based on the number of course credits you take per semester (approximately 16 weeks of study). In most cases, your fee is determined based on whether you're taking more or less than nine (9) course credits (more than nine credits in a semester are considered full-time studies.)

Fees are adjusted for programs with start dates outside of the typical 15-week program.

2023/24 fees per semester

Fees are subject to change without notice.

Fees	< 9 credits per semester	> 9 credits per semester
SAIT fees
Campus athletic and recreation	$51.50	$103
Student support fee	$52.75	$105.50
Student technology fee	$52.75	$105.50
UPass*	N/A	$160
Total	$157	$474
Saitsa fees
Student association fee**	$16.23/credit	$146
Health plan***	N/A	$86 ($172 annually)
Dental plan***	N/A	$79 ($158 annually)
Total	$311 maximum	$476

_{*The City of Calgary has increased their UPass fee from $160 to $165 effective for Winter 2024. This increase was not reflected in the above-quoted tuition and fee amounts at the time of publishing.}

_{**Additional eligibility requirements apply for students to obtain a UPass. To check your eligibility, visit our Upass page.}

_{***Saitsa fees are paid per credit to a maximum amount of $146 per semester.}

_{****Health and dental fees are charged per semester to an annual maximum amount of $172 for health and $158 for dental. In most cases, program fees quoted are based on students paying for a full year of health and dental coverage. International students are charged these fees regardless of course load. Domestic students with existing health and/or dental plans can opt-out. Learn more at saitsa.com/benefits.}

What your SAIT fees pay for

Student support fee: supports student services and resources to help you succeed throughout your academic career, including services such as Career Advancement Services, and Student Development and Counselling.

Student technology fee: supports improvements to cybersecurity to protect student and institutional information, access to learning material outside the classroom, and technology to enhance the student experience.

Campus recreation fee: supports the provision of recreation and fitness facilities, movement classes, wellness programs, student events, intermural activities, varsity sports programs, and a variety of student engagement initiatives offered throughout the academic year. Exemptions to recreation fees are made in some circumstances.

Upass: provides you with unlimited access to Calgary Transit. Ineligible students are not required to pay this fee. Learn more about eligibility requirements.

Lab and materials fees: ensures SAIT labs and living classrooms have the required equipment and materials to support the necessary training for students.

Laundry fee: covers the cost of laundering the required uniforms. Applicable only to certain programs and apprenticeships.

Saitsa fees: supports the student-led, non-profit organization representing students. Fees support the operation of a variety of student services, activities, and programming.

Health and dental fees: provides access to thousands of dollars in coverage for prescription medication, dental treatments, paramedical services, and multiple other benefits. Domestic students with existing health and dental coverage may opt out. Find more details at saitsa.com/benefits.

Application process

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Follow our step-by-step guide to submitting a successful application.

Learn how to apply

Communication during admission

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School for Advanced Digital Technology

Phone: 403.284.8543
Email: sadt.advising@sait.ca

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Cyber Security for Control Systems

On this page:

Mandatory requirements

Overview