Cyber-criminal activity is the fastest-growing crime in the nation and globally. Organizations are challenged with having to detect and respond to cybersecurity breaches as, or before, they happen and employers are in dire need of trained, educated cyber professionals. The Bachelor of Applied Information Technology: Systems and Network Cybersecurity is designed to meet the needs of this rapidly growing field.
Building on the existing two-year Diploma in Computer Systems and Networking, students will have the option to complete an additional two years to obtain a specialized Applied Degree titled: Bachelor of Applied Information Technology: Systems and Network Cybersecurity.
The student will learn how to protect against unauthorized access ensuring confidentiality, integrity and availability of resources shielding an organization from internal and external infiltration and attacks. Hands-on activities will prepare students with the skills to safeguard and monitor IT infrastructures, edge devices, networks, and data. This will be accomplished by:
- Utilizing specialized tools
- Applying information security practices
- Creating incident management policies and procedures; and,
- Implementing security risk management procedures.
These skills will ensure that the individual, and the organization, can effectively respond to dynamic security threats and adversaries.
Students will complete an applied degree that balances the hands-on training and theory required by employers. Courses incorporating personal development, communication, and leadership skills will enable the student to advance their career allowing them to take on more responsibility
OBJECTIVES
The Bachelor of Applied Information Technology: Systems and Network Cybersecurity degree will specialize in the field of Systems and Network Cybersecurity enabling the graduate to:
- Execute a vision for security aligned with a company’s IT strategy
- Communicate short- and long-term organizational security strategies and policies
- Design an organization’s infrastructure
- Securely manage an organization’s infrastructure
- Implement security risk management strategies
- Conduct active and passive network monitoring
- Analyze the cybersecurity needs of an organization
- Develop the appropriate safeguards to ensure delivery of critical services
- Implement the appropriate safeguards to ensure delivery of critical services
- Create organizational policies and procedures for security incidents
- Implement policies and procedures for security incidents
- Utilize forensics software and tools to detect incidents
- Execute offensive and defensive technologies to protect a network infrastructure
- Perform continuous network monitoring to provide real-time security solutions
- Interpret security reports to educate the organization about existing and emerging security risks
Graduates will be positioned to pursue industry certifications such as Cisco certifications, EC-Council certifications and certifications offered by the SANs institute.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Graduates of the program will be able to fill roles in industry such as:
- Cyber Security Expert (Defensive)
- IT Security Specialist
- Security Operations Specialist
- Penetration Tester
- Cyber Security Specialist
- Cybersecurity-Security Architect
- Cybersecurity Analyst
- Information Security Advisor
- Cloud Security Analyst
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility for admission to Bachelor of Applied Information Technology: Systems and Network Cybersecurity program requires the applicant to meet one of the following four academic criteria:
1. High School
Provincial High School Graduation Certificate with a 60% overall average in the following (or equivalent):
- English 3201 or English 3202 (60% minimum)
- Mathematics (4 credits) chosen from:
- Advanced: 2200, 3200 (50% minimum in each course)
- Academic: 2201 (50% minimum), 3201 (60% minimum)
- Five credits at the 3000 Level
2. Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition
Comprehensive Arts and Science (Transition) Certificate with the following courses:
Math Fundamentals:
MA1040,
MA1041
3. Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with Business-Related College Profile including the following courses (or equivalent):
- English 3101A, 3101B, 3101C or 3102A, 3102B, 3102C
- Mathematics 1101A, 1101B, 1101C, 2101A, 2101B, 2101C, 3101A, 3101B, 3101C
Applicants with Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with a different profile may be eligible for admission to the program provided the appropriate selection of courses including those outlined above have been completed.
4. Mature Student Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the educational prerequisites for this program, must be at least 19 years at the time of application and out of school for at least one year may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements; for more information regarding the Mature Student Requirements please refer to Procedure AC-102-PR Admission.
International Applicants – English Proficiency
All international applicants must meet the College’s English language proficiency requirements for acceptance into regular programs. The College will accept these recognized tests of English language proficiency (TOEFL paper based 550, TOEFL Internet based 79, TOEFL computer based 213 or equivalent, IELTS Academic Test overall band score of 6.0, or Pearson PTE 53 or greater, etc.).
If a language proficiency test other than those referenced above was used, applicants can forward for assessment.
If an international applicant has attended an educational institution (high school or post-secondary) for a period of three years or more where the official language of instruction was English, the English language proficiency test will not be required.
Note: Some programs may require specific English language requirements and proficiency scores that differ from those stated above; therefore, international applicants are advised to please refer to the specific program admission requirements as identified in the College Calendar.
Eligibility for direct admission to Year-3 of the Bachelor of Applied Information Technology: Systems and Network Cybersecurity program requires the applicant to meet the following academic criteria:
Completion of the College of the North Atlantic’s Computer Systems and Networking (CSN) Diploma or the Computing Systems Engineering (CSE) Diploma or equivalent program provided they:
1. Have graduated within the last five (5) academic years from date of application
or:
2. Have graduated previous to the last five (5) academic years and have recent related and verifiable experience in the industry
Graduation from a recognized College or University with a diploma or degree in the area of Information Technology with a concentration in operating systems, networking and infrastructure may also be considered for advanced standing. A combination of other post-secondary and industry experience acceptable to the college as an entrance requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis.