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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 ubiquitous technology in our everyday lives, computer and system security play a critical role in protecting users and organizations from cyber attacks. Our data is protected and secure when the systems work, but it can be catastrophic when they fail. Businesses know they need strategies 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 various defensive and offensive tools while learning the fundamentals of networking, tool construction and operating systems.
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.
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 an optional work term after the first year. In the second year, there is a capstone project course in which students apply the sum of their learning in the program.
Upon successfully completing this program, graduates will receive a SAIT diploma in Information Systems Security.
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 workshopsCourses
The Information Systems Security diploma requires 60 credits (20 courses) to complete.
The program spans two years, with two semesters each year.
Course | Credits |
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This course introduces learners to the professional writing, collaboration and presentation skills needed to be successful in their chosen field. Learners will gain an understanding of the strategies and competencies required for effective communication with an emphasis on developing the interpersonal skills needed to perform as part of a high-functioning team. Coursework will require learners to work in individual and collaborative settings. Equivalents:
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3 |
This introductory course provides students with a grounding in basic switching, routing and general protocols. These are analyzed and implemented from both a functionality and vulnerability viewpoint. The configuration of defensive and offensive tools is practiced in the lab environment. |
3 |
This introductory course gives students a firm grounding in strategy fundamentals from a military and cyber-warfare viewpoint. Topics include implications of economics and politics on strategy, tactics vs strategy, writings of classic strategic thinkers from ancient to current times and methods of critically analyzing situations and strategic plans. These fundamental concepts are applied to modern cyber-warfare and industrial espionage using case studies and essays. |
3 |
This introductory course provides students with the basic programming principles applicable to program design and exploitation. Principles are illustrated using an intermediate, compiled language such as C. The examination of program data structures and execution flow is emphasized in the lab using debuggers and how basic program instructions are implemented in assemblers. |
3 |
This course examines scripted and object-oriented languages' structure, implementation, and use. The labs and assignments will emphasize the crafting of tools for various conditions. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
Through the detailed examination of ARM and X86 assembly language, the structure of CPUs, Trusted Platform modules, peripherals, memory subsystems and bootloaders will be examined. Exploits to each of these subsystems will be discussed. The labs will emphasize the use of subsystems using both C and assembler. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
Operating systems form the support structure used by all computing resources. Topics include memory management, interrupt handling, systems call structure, file systems, process management, and sockets. The labs will focus on the basic algorithms and the vulnerabilities caused by implementation-specific issues and best defensive practices. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
This course examines industrial and business protocols' implementation, strengths, and weaknesses. Topics include networking security protocols, advanced routing and intrusion detection/prevention. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
This course introduces students to various enterprise and industrial wireless protocol standards and exploitation techniques. The lab will focus on using offensive and defensive wireless tools to harden systems in various environments. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
This course introduces students to web technologies, emphasizing web application hardening and exploitation. Topics include application auditing, proxies, web attacks, server hardening, man-in-the-middle attacks, secure application protocols and data exfiltration. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
This course provides students with practical, hands-on experiences with the analysis and neutralization of malware. Topics include disassemblers, cloaking/obfuscation, malware design, packing techniques, infection vectors and polymorphism. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
This is a laboratory-based course and provides hands-on ethical hacking. Students will work independently in laboratories that focus on implementing techniques for vulnerability management, exploitation, post-exploitation, detection, monitoring and hardening operating systems to protect and mitigate risks. A final penetration testing project will be implemented to apply knowledge and skills learned in the course. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
This course provides students with practical, hands-on experience with the Internet of Things (IoT) systems. Topics include industrial wireless network exploitation, tamper-proof mechanisms, encryption key exchange, JTAG debugging, component identification, logic analyzers and oscilloscopes, firmware retrieval and analysis, sensor systems and common system architectures. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
This advanced course provides students with the tools and processes for collecting and evaluating evidence found in computer systems. The emphasis is on the complexity of investigating incidents forensically and soundly, consistent with current Canadian and international laws. Topics include identifying and preserving evidence, chain of custody, file and log analysis, proper legal documentation, memory forensics and identifying malware within a system being examined. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
Many modern businesses are required to comply with Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standards. At the core of PCI is encryption. The fundamentals of modern encryption and the PCI standard, auditing and penetration testing techniques will be discussed. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
This course examines the business and computing infrastructure needed to protect an organization from attacks. Topics include physical security, risk analysis, disaster recovery, data security controls, security models, access controls and security testing frameworks. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
This course provides a general overview of persuasion and manipulation techniques, an introduction to neuro-linguistic programming, basic human psychology and improvisational acting. The course aims to allow an entry-level penetration tester to infiltrate an organization to conduct security testing successfully. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
This introductory course provides students with a basic understanding of the structure of both the Canadian and Alberta legal systems. Topics include copyright, intellectual property, contract, evidence collection, privacy law and their effect on security professionals. The application of the law will be contrasted with ethical guidelines enforced on security practitioners. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
In this capstone course, you will investigate issues across many different subject areas or domains of knowledge, connect with community issues or problems and create a solution. Your project should demonstrate the technical and professional skills learned in the program and beyond. You must apply your creativity and problem-solving abilities to a real-world context. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
This introductory course is in data analysis for students in engineering technology programs. Students apply techniques to organize, display, analyze and report data. Outcomes include methods of descriptive and inferential statistics. Students will be exposed to software-based methods in laboratory sessions using industry-grade data. Some advanced topics of analysis are selectable toward the end of the course. |
3 |
Course | Credits |
---|---|
This cooperative work term course provides the opportunity to apply your classroom learning in a practical workplace setting and gain valuable industry experience. This course is optional. Pre-requisites:
|
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 >

Explore your options!
Some courses in this program are available through Open Studies. You can complete courses via Open Studies to get a head start on your education, reduce your course load once accepted into a credentialed program, or determine which career path best suits you before you fully commit.
You may also take courses for general interest or personal and professional development.
Available Open Studies coursesAdmission requirements
Applicants educated in Canada
All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and meet the following requirements or equivalents.
- at least 65% in Math 30-1 or 70% in Math 30-2
- at least 60% in English Language Arts 30-1 or 65% in English Language Arts 30-2.
SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission for applicants educated outside Alberta.
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.
Upgrade
English language proficiency
All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.
Learn moreAvailable intakes
Winter 2024
Start dates:
- Domestic students: Closed
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Application deadline: Oct. 26, 2023
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- International students: Waitlisted
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Application deadline: Sept. 28, 2023
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Spring 2024
Start dates:
- Domestic students: Open
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Application deadline: Feb. 23, 2024
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- International students: Closed
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Application deadline: Jan. 22, 2024
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Fall 2024
Start dates:
- Domestic students: Open
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Application deadline: June 28, 2024
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- International students: Open
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Application deadline: May 29, 2024
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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 | $14,010 | $1,570 | $15,580 |
2 | 2 | $14,010 | $1,570 | $15,580 |
Total cost:
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$31,160 |
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.
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.
Required textbooks
Required textbooks will be discussed in class. You will not need to purchase them ahead of time.

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.
Learn how to applyCommunication 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.
Information 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
Prepare for a strong start and get the details you need to make a decision about your future. Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions, and provide information about:
School for Advanced Digital Technology Advising
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Phone - 403.284.8543
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Email - sadt.advising@sait.ca
International Student Advising
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Phone - 403.284.8852
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Email - international@sait.ca
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