Overview
Train to become a computer systems security professional and gain a solid understanding of programming, operating systems, networking and strategy — using practical applications of defensive and offensive technologies.
With technology being a ubiquitous aspect of our everyday lives, computer and system security play a critical role in protecting users and organizations from cyber attacks. When the systems work, our data is protected and secure, but when they fail, it can be catastrophic. Businesses know they need systems in place to ensure the security of their data, and nation-states are focused on the security of their people.
The Information Systems Security program prepares you for entering the computer system security field with confidence and solid fundamental knowledge. You will use a wide variety of defensive and offensive tools while learning the fundamentals of networking, tool construction and operating systems.
The first year of the program delivers a strong base of fundamental skills in programming, operating systems, networking, and strategy. The second year moves into the more practical applications of defensive and offensive strategies, cumulating with a capstone project in which students apply the sum of their learning in the program.
Is this a good fit for me?
Students who experience success in this program and profession:
- embody curiosity and strong problem-solving skills
- make their education a priority by demonstrating excellent working habits and focus
- have higher secondary and/or post-secondary grades
- are dedicated to the life-long learning that is critical to professional success
- possess basic literacies in computer networking and 'C' language programming.
Credential
Upon successfully completing this program, graduates will receive a SAIT diploma in Information Systems Security.
Get important updates about our business and tech programs
Career opportunities
Graduates can pursue job opportunities as an information systems analyst in:
- penetration testing
- log analysis
- threat analysis
- risk management
- network security
- Internet of Things hardening
- physical security
- quality assurance
- malware analysis
- security audits
Related careers include:
- information systems consultant
- software engineer
Tuition and fees
Estimated cost per year:
Domestic total 2023/24
- Year 1: $15,580
- Year 2: $15,580
International total 2023/24
- Year 1: $30,645.10
- Year 2: $30,645.10
Final costs are dependent on the number of courses a student takes per semester.
Requirements
You will be offered admission to this program through direct entry if you meet the admission requirements and space is available.
Four trends to track for careers in tech
Propel your career forward with these areas of growth
Admission requirements
Program requirements
Completion of the following courses or equivalents:
- at least 65% in Math 30-1 or 70% in Math 30-2 AND
- at least 60% in English Language Arts 30-1 or 65% in English Language Arts 30-2.
All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.
SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission. If you don't meet the requirements, consider Academic Upgrading.
SAIT evaluates international documents for admissions. After you've applied, consider our international document assessment service if your education is from outside of Canada. SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.
When should you apply?
Visit our Apply page to see when applications open and close for upcoming semesters.
To see which semesters this program has intakes for, look at the Available Intakes information at the top of this page.
Direct entry: four-step process
Step 1: Read the program information to see the qualities needed for student success.
Step 2: Ensure that you meet all of the admission requirements listed above.
Step 3: Apply to the program and submit your transcripts.
Admission will be extended on a first-qualified, first-offered basis until the program is full.
Step 4: Continue to monitor your application status through mySAIT.ca.
You must submit final transcripts/grades to show you have completed the courses and met the minimum admission requirements by the transcript deadline or your seat will be rescinded.
This program meets the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program for international students as long as the student is enrolled in the on-campus delivery mode or completes more than 50% of the courses on campus (for the blended option). International students attending all classes online will NOT be eligible for a Post-Graduate Work Permit. International students are responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies.
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.
When do classes start?
Classes for this program adhere to the following year start and end dates based on the semester the student begins their program.
| Classes begin | Year start date | Year-end date |
|---|---|---|
| Winter 2023 | Jan. 9, 2023 | Aug. 18, 2023 |
| Spring 2023 | May 8, 2023 | Dec. 15, 2023 |
| Fall 2023 | Sept. 5, 2023 | April 26, 2024 |
| Winter 2024 | Jan. 8, 2024 | Aug. 16, 2024 |
| Spring 2024 | May 6, 2024 | Dec. 13, 2024 |
Courses
Program outline
Looking for course descriptions and requisites? Visit the course catalogue
Open Studies courses available
Some courses in this program are available through Open Studies.
Open Studies is a great way to explore a certain subject before diving into the full program. See what courses are offered by finding this program on the Open Studies courses tab.
First Year
Semester 1
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| COMM-256 | Professional Communication and Presentation Skills | 3.0 |
| ITSC-200 | Secure Networking Fundamentals | 3.0 |
| ITSC-201 | Military and Strategic Studies | 3.0 |
| ITSC-202 | Programming Essentials | 3.0 |
| STAT-245 | Statistics for Engineering and Technology l | 3.0 |
| Semester 1 Total | 15.0 | |
Semester 2
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ITSC-204 | Computer Architecture | 3.0 |
| ITSC-205 | Operating Systems Internals | 3.0 |
| ITSC-206 | Offensive and Defensive Networking |
3.0 |
| ITSC-302 | Web Application Security | 3.0 |
| LAWG-200 | Security Practice and the Canadian Legal System | 3.0 |
| Semester 2 Total | 15.0 | |
Co-op Work Term (Optional)
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| CPWK-225 | Cooperative Work Term | 0.0 |
| First Year Total | 30.0 | |
Second Year
Semester 3
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ITSC-203 | Scripting for Tool Construction | 3.0 |
| ITSC-301 | Wireless Security | 3.0 |
| ITSC-304 | Operating System Exploitation | 3.0 |
| ITSC-307 | Compliance and Encryption | 3.0 |
| ITSC-309 | Social Engineering | 3.0 |
| Semester 3 Total | 15.0 | |
Semester 4
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ITSC-303 | Malware Analysis | 3.0 |
| ITSC-305 | Internet of Things Systems | 3.0 |
| ITSC-306 | Computer Forensics | 3.0 |
| ITSC-308 | Security Policies and Operations | 3.0 |
| PROJ-309 | Capstone Project | 3.0 |
| Semester 4 Total | 15.0 | |
| Second Year Total | 30.0 | |
| Program Total | 60.0 | |
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 >
Transfer options
The opportunity to advance your education by transferring in, within or on from SAIT is available.
Learn more about program and institution partnership agreements.
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 | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | $14,010 | $948 | $622 | $15,580 |
| 2 | 2 | $14,010 | $948 | $622 | $15,580 |
International students
| Year | Number of semesters | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | $29,075.10 | $948 | $622 | $30,645.10 |
| 2 | 2 | $29,075.10 | $948 | $622 | $30,645.10 |
*For a detailed breakdown of tuition costs per course, visit the domestic and international fee tables.
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.
Learn more about what your fees are for
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** | $16.22/credit | $146 |
| Health plan*** | N/A | $86 ($172 annually) |
| Dental plan*** | N/A | $79 ($158 annually) |
| Total | $311 maximum | $476 |
*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.
Books and supplies*
For an estimate of the costs associated with purchasing a computer that meets the program's hardware and software requirements, see our computers and laptops page.
Learn more about your tuition and financial aid options
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
Next steps for incoming students
Have you been accepted to this program? Here's what you'll need for your first day of classes.
Orientation
Program orientation (ORNT 118) for students starting in Spring 2023 will take place online on May 4. Check your schedule in mySAIT for the time and location details.
Learn more about campus orientation.
How to register for classes
Course registration opens on March 1 through March 15 for Spring 2023.
You’ll receive an email from us indicating what registration process you’ll use to enroll in your classes.
Learn more about how to register and the different registration methods used at SAIT.
Computers and laptops
This is a bring your own device program with power-user hardware and software requirements. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.
The recommended hardware and software requirements are:
- Processor: i7
- RAM: 16GB RAM 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: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit with antivirus/malware protection
Required equipment/tools*
Students will require their own:
- Electronic kit
- Wireless access point
- Sensor kit
- Cloud computing services subscription is approximately $800 - $1,200 per year.
*Please wait for instructors to provide further direction before purchasing equipment.
Preparation courses
To support your success, short courses are available to you to help prepare you for the academic year:
PERS 050: Student Rights and Responsibilities
This course is designed to introduce you to student rights and responsibilities at SAIT. You will learn about SAIT's rich and diverse community, become familiar with guidelines and procedures that create a safe, respectful learning experience for you, and gain practical tips for how you can engage in the SAIT community in a positive and responsible way. PRES-050 must be completed within 30 days from the start of the semester.
PREP 100: The SAIT Experience
Get tips and insider information on time management, exam preparation, effective notetaking and more through this free, online short course for new students. Plus, learn about discussion boards, online communication and submitting assignments online. Course completion is recommended by the end of your first semester.
Both courses can be accessed through Brightspace (D2L) before the first day of classes.
Students taking a full-time course load, or more than nine (9) credits per semester, will be automatically enrolled in these courses.
They are optional for students taking a part-time course load (9 or fewer credits per semester). Part-time students can register by emailing academic.coaching@sait.ca.
Required textbooks
Required textbooks will be discussed in class. You will not need to purchase them ahead of time.
Contact
Phone: 403.284.8543
sadt.advising@sait.ca
Academic chair
Jessica Ager, Academic Chair
jessica.ager@sait.ca
Next steps for all students
Here's what else you'll need to do to get ready!
Next steps for accepted students
Important dates and deadlines
Find important dates applicable to all students, including your transcript and tuition payment deadlines on our Important Dates page.
Your journey starts here
Sign up to get important updates on: