Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitan University announced a six-month cybersecurity program on Tuesday to allow more Canadians to train as cyber professionals to help fill a vast cybersecurity labour shortage.
Information security training and certification organization, SANS Institute and Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst are partnering to put on a program called Certifications for Leadership in Cybersecurity (CLIC).
Graduates of the program will achieve two globally-recognized SANS GIAC certifications. These are the highest assurance of cybersecurity knowledge and skills according to cybersecurity consulting firm, CyberEdge Group.
“SANS Institute is delighted to expand its strategic partnership with the Catalyst to grow the cyber workforce in Canada. As the leading centre for cybersecurity in Canada, we trust the Catalyst to bring our hands-on training to combat the cyber skills shortage and help employers fill critical, open jobs,” said Maxwell Shuftan, director, mission programs and partnerships at SANS Institute.
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High demand for cybersecurity positions in Canada
Research from Deloitte shows this lack of talent is spread across corporate Canada. It’s also not a temporary issue as critical roles are going unfilled. A study performed by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium in 2021 estimated the cybersecurity workforce gap in Canada stood at 25,000 professionals.
Furthermore, in 2020, 78 per cent of Canadian organizations experienced at least one cyberattack in a 12 month period, according to the 2020 Cyberthreat Defense Report from CyberEdge Group. The following year, the number to rose to 85.7 per cent.
The program is part-time and online with 25-30 hours of self-directed study and live SANS instructor-led courses. CLIC students also benefit from career mentorship from experts and have the opportunity to build connections with major employers.
Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst is Toronto Metropolitan University’s national centre for training, innovation and collaboration in cybersecurity. It’s in Brampton, Ontario.
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