Program Overview
There is an increasing demand for cybersecurity specialists in every sector of our economy. This program will provide students with fundamental computing systems knowledge while introducing students to the key principles of data and technology that frame and define cybersecurity, concepts, tools and technologies employed in cybersecurity practice in a changing landscape of digital security challenges.
Students will be presented with problems that will require them to apply their technical, problem solving, and critical thinking skills. Students will learn to use a variety of intrusion detection and defence methodologies and practices, to protect digital assets, to conduct threat analysis, and to manage and reduce cybersecurity risks.
Students can expect to be presented with a robust learning and assessment environment using real-world examples not only designed to teach cybersecurity methodology and practice but also skills that facilitate interpersonal collaboration and cooperation.
Students choosing a practicum or coop stream will be able to engage in hands-on and practical training.
Program graduates can expect to work as cybersecurity specialists responsible for operating and conducting intrusion investigations and exploiting adversarial computing systems.
Graduates will be able to complete certification exams from external assessment agencies.
Career Opportunities
- Ethical Hacker
- Penetration Tester
- Network Security Specialist
- Cybersecurity Analyst
- Informatics Security Consultant
- Cybersecurity Risk Member
- Incident Response Team
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Describe the technologies that support and drive digital communication
- Describe and discuss the changing landscape of cybersecurity threats and associated technologies
- Explain the most common cyber threats, attacks, and system vulnerabilities
- Describe the structural and procedural weaknesses that allow cyber attacks to occur
- Analyze and address issues associated with digital infrastructure security and develop practical solutions to minimize and
manage risk - Evaluate relevant technical considerations related to the application and use of secure technologies within a variety of
contexts - Use digital forensic methodologies to analyze system, network, and device threats
- Assist organizations with threat intelligence, cyber defence strategies, threat response, investigation, incident recovery,
and continuity - Apply threat intelligence collection processes to manage risk, improve detection, and proactively prevent threats
Why Study Cybersecurity At Sprott Shaw?
- All-inclusive program costs where what you see is what you pay. Our costs include registration fees, assessment fees, tuition, textbooks, supplies, course materials, uniforms, certificates, graduation fees, clinical and practicum fees, and much more
- Career and professional development success courses to help create a career development marketing plan, learn the cardinal rules of professionalism, and identify the target markets and employment resources for the healthcare industry
- Preparation and orientation courses to teach you how to find credible research, write papers, create proper citation formats including APA, and study effectively for exams
- Access to dedicated Employment Services Specialists (ESS) who can help you with resume and cover letter writing, interview skills, and the overall job search after graduation
- Monthly intake system so you can start your education when you want to without the wait
- In-Person, Online, and Hybrid program delivery options are available to maximize the program’s accessibility.
- Grant and scholarship opportunities are available to help you save on tuition. Up to $4000 in scholarships and grants are open to recent high school graduates, Sprott Shaw alumni, military veterans, and more! Click here to browse our full list of grants and scholarships.
Program Details
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must meet all of the pre-requisites listed below, meet their financial obligations to the college at registration, and acknowledge their understanding of SSC’s policies and procedures provided in the Student Handbook, prior to starting classes.
NOTE: Students are provided with a detailed list of books, e-resources, workshop/lab supplies, and lab/tool kits that are included in the program’s fees and will have the opportunity to opt in or out of purchasing from Sprott Shaw College or any other specific source any of these items at the time of registration.
Admissions Interview(s)
- Complete admissions interview
- Complete short written essay
Education Level (one of the following):
- Grade 12 or equivalent (GED, Adult Basic Education) with evidence of a ‘true certified copy’ or original transcript
- Mature student status (age 19 and one year out of high school)
Language Proficiency Policy:
All programs at Sprott Shaw College (SSC) are conducted in English, making proficiency in the English language a requirement for enrollment.
The required proficiency can be demonstrated through 1) completion of secondary or post-secondary education where English is the language of instruction and is also one of the country’s official languages, or 2) An approved English Language Assessment, 3) Graduation from Sprott Shaw Language College’s (SSLC) EPE: English for Post-Secondary Education program, or 4) For mature (≥ 19 years) students who are facing barriers and cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education.
SSC programs that have a higher English language level, require additional years of secondary or post-secondary education where English is the language of instruction, or where language proficiency is to be otherwise demonstrated, are identified within the relevant program outlines.
For all other SSC programs, English language proficiency is demonstrated by:
1. Education
a) Secondary Education
Evidence of Successful Fulltime Secondary Education Completion*, where English is one of the principle languages of instruction:
i) Showing two (2) years, if all Grades successfully completed are 10, 11, or 12, or
ii) Showing three (3) years if the successful Grades are 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12
iii) Showing validation of both language of instruction and credential level is provided by WES, ICES or IQAS
OR
b) Post- Secondary Education
Evidence of 2 years of Fulltime Post-Secondary Education Completion*, where English is one of the principle languages of instruction. Language development courses (i.e. ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation.
*This may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a BC Adult Graduation program, or providing validation of both language of instruction and credential level is provided by WES, ICES or IQAS.
Countries where English is the language of instruction:
American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, United States Virgin Islands, Zambia, & Zimbabwe.
OR
2. Assessment
By achieving a recognized standardized language test/assessment.
Approved English language assessment options:
· IELTS. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: Minimum overall score of 5.5.
· TOEFL. Test of English as a Foreign Language IBT: Minimum overall score of 46
· CAEL. Canadian Academic English Language Assessment. Minimum overall score of 40
· CELPIP. Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program: Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5 and Writing 5.
· DET. Duolingo English Test: Minimum overall score of 95
· PTE. Pearson Test of English Academic: Minimum overall score of 43
· Cambridge English Qualifications: Minimum overall score of 160 or “C”
· Cambridge Linguaskill: Minimum overall B2 level
· LANGUAGECERT Academic: Minimum overall B2 level
· MET. The Michigan English Test: Minimum overall B2 level
· iTEP Academic: Minimum overall score of 3.5
· EIKEN: Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1
OR
3. Accuplacer
For mature (≥ 19 years) students who are facing barriers and cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education.
Applicant must be 19 years or older at the start of the program and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and provides attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary instruction in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages (please refer to Countries where English is the language of instruction).
Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation) and achieves the following minimum scores required:
· Reading: 230
· Writing: 230
· WritePlacer: 4
For more information on our English language program-specific requirements and English equivalencies please click here: Sprott Shaw College English Language Requirements and Equivalents
Diploma Requirements:
- Successful completion of all courses with a minimum of a 60% overall average.
- Successful completion of all industry-certified courses and third-party training provided during the program.
- Success completion of all practice education (practicum) components when required.
- Successful completion of all courses that are graded with a ‘pass/fail’.
- Successful completion of any required capstone projects, portfolios, or term papers assigned at the beginning of the program
Sprott Shaw College determines the start dates for this program and how frequently the program is delivered (number of cohorts) will depend on enrolments. A typical schedule is shown below in the Course Breakdown. Pre-requisites apply (identified in the course descriptions).
Courses are scheduled Monday to Friday, with students expected to attend all sessions, which are typically four hours in length (exceptions to this are noted in the course descriptions.) Specific class hours and schedule will be provided by the college at the time of enrolment.
Work experience (practicum) components are generally full-time hours (a minimum of six ‘clock hours’); however, this part of the schedule may vary depending on the needs and requirements of the host placement sites. Any hours missed during the work experience component must be ‘made up’ in order to meet the minimum attendance requirements, as indicated in the course breakdown.
Students can expect a minimum of one to three hours per day to complete homework and outstanding projects and assignments.
Technology Requirements:
This program can be delivered on campus or in an online format. Online access will require the following minimum hardware requirements. Minimum Internet up/down data speed should be at be at least 1.5 Mbps.
Windows Devices
Windows 8.1/10 (32/64 bit)
Intel Core i5 processor
250 GB HDD/4 GB RAM
Microsoft Edge
Apple iOS Devices
Mac iOS 10.15 (Catalina)
Intel Core i5
256 GD SSD/8 GB RAM
Google Chrome OS Devices
Google Chrome OS
Intel Celeron N Processor
32 GB Storage/4 GB RAM
uCertify Platform
This platform is the Web-based course integration tool used throughout the Cybersecurity program. It works on almost all browsers / OS / devices less than two years old.
Browsers
Any current versions of the following can be used:
• Internet Explorer
• Chrome
• Firefox
• Safari
Information on the uCertify site will allow the user to check and update to the most recent version.
Mobile
uCertify Mobile App is the smartphone and tablet version of uCertify LEARN, where students can access every course they are enrolled in on their mobile devices, to make learning more convenient and efficient.
Other Specifications
For using the uCertify courses and the Internet, JavaScript should be enabled and Cookies (and third-party Cookies) should also be enabled.
Contact Us Today!
Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.
Courses List
This 71 week Diploma program requires the student to complete the following courses.- This course will prepare students to produce instructive, informational, and persuasive documents.
- These documents provide relevant, reliable information that allow readers to easily understand both context and implications so that informed decisions based on well defined and achievable outcomes can be made.
- Processes will be taught for analyzing writing contexts and producing effective, clean, and reader-centered documents in an efficient manner.
Pre-requisite: CYSC110 - Threat Landscape
• An effective cybersecurity defence consists of addressing security issues with respect to infrastructure, devices, local networks, and access points.
• Overcoming the challenges associated with each requires a detailed understanding of the issues, strategies, and practices.
• Students will learn to apply a systematic approach to securing IT infrastructure and networks and then will be introduced to the techniques used to protect data leaving and entering an organisation’s infrastructure.
Pre-requisite: NETW100 - Networking Essentials
• Cyber threats are among the biggest challenges individuals and organisations face today. Threat intelligence represents a multiplier for organisations looking to proactively protect themselves from digital threats.
• This course introduces students to threat intelligence categories and the evolving threat landscape.
• Digital security topics will focus on understanding contemporary categories of cyber threats and implementing basic protection systems by improving network design and security.
• Students will explore the methodologies used to identify and prioritise potential threats to devices, data, and networks.
Pre-requisites: CYSC110 - Threat Landscape
• An ethical hacker finds and communicates the vulnerabilities in a computer system, web application, or
network.
• As organisations become Internet occupants and reply on cloud computing technologies to serve as their data and operational repositories, ethical hacking can proactively shield them against potential security threats and breaches.
Pre-requisites: CYSC150 - Ethical Hacking
• Students will learn the underlying principles and techniques associated with penetration testing and discover how system vulnerabilities can be exploited and fixed.
• Students will develop an understanding of current cybersecurity issues and ways that user, administrator, and programmer errors can lead to device and system intrusion.
Pre-requisites: CYSC110 - Threat Landscape
• Students will learn to identify and manage threats to an organisation’s cyber security.
• Students will explore what an organisation and third parties must do to comply with regulations, privacy law, and stakeholder expectations.
• How threats affect project life cycles, how to protect digital assets, involvement in the implementation of a cyber risk framework, prevention of organization intrusions, and rapid breach recovery.
Pre-requisites: CYSC180 - Digital Forensics, CYSC170 - Risk Management
• This course familiarises students with skills and best practices for developing and implementing effective
cybersecurity policies within an organisation-wide cybersecurity framework.
Pre-requisites: CYSC100 - Cybersecurity Issues
• This course addresses the entire life cycle of incident response after a digital breach, including site preparation, data collection, and how to respond and effectively assess and manage future vulnerabilities
Pre-requisite: Successful completion of all theory courses
• In this segment learners will receive practical workplace based learning opportunities within an IT/Cybersecurity setting.
• This will enable learners to practice and reinforce classroom learned concepts, skills and competencies.
• In addition it allows the learner to connect to various industry companies, managers and stakeholders and build a networking foundation for successful post graduate work.
- Learn effective study skills, time management, and goal setting.
- Understand college policies, technology, and expectations.
- Apply organization, writing, and citation techniques.
- Develop self-care and stress-management strategies for success.
- Interview techniques
- Create a Career Development Marketing Plan
- Apply aspects of professionalism
- Identify target markets and employment resources
- Specialty program coverage in this shortened version
• This course will provide students with the conceptual and practical foundations for understanding how computing hardware and server technology functions. Students will learn how to configure, manage, and troubleshoot computer and digital devices.
Pre-requisite: ITEC120 - Operating Systems Concepts
• Students will learn advanced Windows systems software skills, become familiar with other widely used operating systems, and learn to compare the strengths and weaknesses of each.
• Students will be introduced to managing and troubleshooting devices in Windows, Linux, iOS, Mobile,
and Cloud environments.
Pre-requisite: ITEC130 - Introduction to Programming
• This course introduces the basic concepts of procedural programming and learning to understand code.
• Students will learn to use data types, control structures, problem solving strategies, software development methodology, design concepts and principles, and testing and debugging methodologies.
Pre-requisites: ITEC 121 - Operating Systems, ITEC110 - Computing Hardware
• Students will learn how to effectively provide help desk support by learning what services are required, how to prioritise issues, and how to set realistic expectations.
• In this course students will be introduced to self management and soft skills, performance measurement
rubrics, users’ needs, goals, and attitudes.
• Also, how to define, diagnose and solve problems, which tools are required, ensure that value is being received, and how to effectively deal with management.
Pre-requisites: ITEC131 - Programming Fundamentals
• The Linux operating system will be introduced as an alternative to more common platforms because of its security features, cost, and scalability efficiencies. Students will learn how to install and manage a Linux system.
- This course will provide the student with advanced
understanding related to securing cloud based services
such as Azure. - Subjects that will be explored include advanced topics
related to: desktop hardware management, network client
configuration, threat detection and antivirus, user access
control and policy implementation. - The key focus will be on developing an understanding of
various technologies and providing hands on practice using
a combination of live environments and virtual lab scenarios
- This course will introduce students to database. Subjects that will be explored include: SQL Server components, installation and configuration, monitoring, basic dbase design, high availability architecture, security and backup.
- The key focus will be on developing an understanding of various technologies and providing hands on practice using a combination of live environments and virtual lab scenarios
Pre-requisites: ITEC121 - Operating Systems, ITEC110 - Computing Hardware
• The network is essential to the effective management of organizational data, functions, and operations, including cybersecurity; therefore, it is important to understand what the network can do, how it operates, and how to protect it.
• This course is designed to introduce students to the core networking concepts, explain the purpose of networking, and examine how networks are configured across a wide variety of environments.
• This will include a review of network topologies, physical networking, network protocols, network troubleshooting, and security.
Pre-requisites: CYSC100 - Cybersecurity Issues
• This course introduces students to essential network security concepts, challenges, and the techniques that can be used to address vulnerabilities and defend against intrusion.
• Students will learn how to select the appropriate security technologies for network environments and use encryption effectively.
Pre-requisites: NETW120 - Network Defence
• This course focuses on the theory and practice of cryptography and network security. Students will be
provided with an overview of some of the fundamental principles of security, encompassing both information security and network security.
- This course will provide the student with foundational knowledge on installing and configuring Windows Server operating systems.
- Subjects that will be explored include: virtualization, PowerShell, operating system installation, Active Directory, TCP/IP and network services, group policy, and Azure Cloud Services.
- The key focus will be on developing a practical understanding of various technologies through lecture as well providing hands on practice using a combination of live environments and virtual lab scenarios
- This course will provide the student with advanced understanding related to Windows Server in a hybrid, on premise and Azure cloud based environment.
- Subjects that will be explored include hybrid services including: Active Directory, server workloads, containers, networking infrastructure, storage and file services.
- The key focus will be on developing an understanding of various technologies and providing hands on practice using a combination of live environments and virtual lab scenarios.
- This course will provide the student with advanced understanding related to Windows Server in a hybrid, on premise and Azure cloud-based environment.
- Subjects that will be explored include advanced topics related to: securing server environments, high availability, planning disaster recovery, server workloads, and troubleshooting.
- The key focus will be on developing an understanding of various technologies and providing hands on practice using a combination of live environments and virtual lab scenarios.
- This course will provide the student with advanced understanding related to securing cloud based services such as Azure.
- Subjects that will be explored include advanced topics related to: Azure Active Directory identities, Platform protection, security operations, as well as data and application security.
- The key focus will be on developing an understanding of various technologies and providing hands on practice using a combination of live environments and virtual lab scenarios.
