Cyber Security (Post-graduate) 1-Year

Gain the knowledge and in-demand skills needed to become an industry-ready IT security professional. Graduates of this one-year post-graduate program will be equipped to help organizations prevent fraud, data breaches and other vulnerabilities.

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Home / Learn / Programs List / Cyber Security (Post-graduate) 1-Year

Credential

Ontario College Graduate Certificate

Duration

Two semesters

Start Date(s)

January (Winter)

September (Fall)

Locations

Belleville

Open to

International Students

Domestic Students

CIP Code

11.1003

Find your career

The demand for cyber security professionals continues to rise as businesses and organizations increasingly rely on digital technologies and face growing cyber threats. Graduates find careers working in a range of sectors, including computer systems design, health care organizations, technology companies, financial institutions, public administration and government agencies.

Graduate from this one-year program with an in-depth understanding of various aspects of cyber security, including:

Security
Network management
Analysis
Programming
Operating systems
Cryptography
Cyber and digital forensics
Investigation
Cloud security
Penetration testing
Incident response techniques
Information assurance
Risk management
Ethical hacking
AI for Smarter Cyber Security

The faculty helped me through one-on-one mentorship, academic advising, and career guidance, they have always been there to help me navigate challenges and achieve my goals.

Michael, Cyber Security

How you'll learn

Engage in hands-on exercises, lab work, and real-world simulations to develop practical skills in protecting computer systems, networks and data from cyber threats:

Learn how to develop, implement and evaluate cyber security solutions to protect organizations from internal and external threats.
Practise assessing defensive programming and cyber security strategies, and gain experience recommending security controls for the effective maintenance and deployment of cyber security solutions to protect systems and information.
Acquire skills for designing and implementing cyber security polices and strategies using project management principles.
Develop strategies for optimizing the effectiveness of the information security in a business environment through risk mitigation and information systems auditing.
Explore designing and implementing vulnerability assessment procedures to identify and solve existing network security issues.
Learn about legal and regulatory issues related to cyber security, as well as strategies for incident response and recovery.

While completing this program, students will have the opportunity to acquire in-demand industry certifications concurrently with their studies.

Courses

COMM1076 Business Communications in Canada

This course prepares students to use appropriate business communication techniques such as report writing, presentation skills, and how to build client relationships within a Canadian business environment.

CYSE1003 Computer Network Design and Implentation

Learn to design, implement, maintain and troubleshoot network solutions.

CYSE1004 Cyber-Security Principles and Best Practices in Canada

Learners explore the core principles of cyber security and apply best practices to protect systems and data by examining the concepts of confidentiality, integrity and availability (CIA) to inform the foundation of secure systems. Through hands-on activities, learners identify common threats and vulnerabilities, recommend hardware and software controls, and configure security devices and services such as firewalls, access control lists, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and encryption tools. Learners investigate how to integrate hardware, software, and services to design enterprise-level security solutions that meet organizational needs.

CYSE1001 Information Security Fundamentals

Learners deploy and manage computer networks and data communication systems, gaining practical experience in designing and securing networked environments. Learners analyze and implement the Governance and Risk components of the GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) model, establishing policies, procedures and strategies to mitigate threats and protect information assets. Emphasis is placed on developing analytical thinking, integrating technical and organizational security measures and applying core information security principles in practical contexts.

CYSE1002 Introduction to Computer Programming

Learners use coding to build a strong foundation in computer programming by exploring essential concepts, terminology, and techniques to design, implement and test console-based applications. Learners work with Python’s interactive shell, perform input/output operations and use key features such as literals, comments, data types, and functions. An introduction to variable scope, function parameters, and basic data structures and algorithms help learners design efficient and reliable programs.

CYSE1000 Introduction to Networking and Data Communication

Introduces networking and data communication principles.

CYSE1007 Cloud Security

Learners investigate how to secure cloud environments by exploring the fundamentals of cloud architecture and applying best practices for risk management and threat mitigation. Learners develop skills to protect infrastructure, applications, services and users in the cloud while ensuring the security and privacy of data. Through hands-on activities, security controls are configured, risks are managed and techniques are implemented to safeguard cloud-based systems against evolving cyber threats.

WKPL1040 Co-op & Career Search Prep 1

This course will prepare students to attain a co-op that will bridge their transition from post-secondary education into Canadian industry experience. Effective cover letters and resumés, positive use of social media such as LinkedIn and polishing interview skills for Canadian markets will be the focus.

CYSE1006 Cryptography and Data Encryption

Develop skills and knowledge about cryptography in data privacy, integrity, non-repudiation, digital signatures, and authentication.

CYSE1005 Implementing Security Policies in Operating Systems

Develop skills and knowledge about securing data and services on Windows operating systems.

CYSE1009 Wireless Communication and Mobile Security

Learners build advanced skills in wireless technologies with a strong focus on security and mobile access. The course examines wireless security vulnerabilities and risks while applying industry-accepted practices to secure wireless networks. Practical experience is provided through WLAN design, maintenance, troubleshooting and remote wireless access, enabling learners to configure and monitor wireless infrastructure effectively. Additionally, learners develop the ability to design network security policies that reduce risks and protect against attacks, while implementing tools and techniques to detect vulnerabilities and maintain secure mobile environments.

CYSE1008 eCommerce and Web Security

Learners identify common security issues with emphasis on the detection of cross origin policy attacks, the use of authentication techniques and best practices, threat and countermeasure identification and other web application security improvements. Learners assess defense strategies and the requirement for proactive and robust frameworks. Emerging web application security issues and technologies are analyzed in ensuring secure applications, frameworks and browsers.

CYSE2003 AI for Smarter Cyber-Security

Learners apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the development of security systems to automatically detect and prevent cyber attacks. Machine learning algorithms, including intrusion detection and malware analysis, are assessed, along with ethical and legal complications in the use of algorithms and/or AI. Learners become proficient in Python in the implementation of AI-based cyber security solutions. Learners evaluate the benefits and challenges of Generative Adversarial Networks in cyber security attacks and in defense strategy.

WKPL2083 Co-op & Career Search Prep 2

CYSE2002 Cyber Crime Law, Forensics and Investigation

Explore the legal issues related to cyber crimes. Develop technical expertise and investigative skills to perform forensic investigations.

CYSE2004 Cyber-Security Incident Response

Learners effectively identify and respond to cyber security incidents in controlled environments. The phases of incident response, and plans to contain and mitigate, are areas of focus. Students assess the interprofessional collaboration that is required in response to threats or attacks, with emphasis on current trends and best practices. Learners examine disaster recovery by applying structured methods for restoring systems, data and operations after an incident. They also evaluate business-continuity requirements by designing strategies that maintain essential services, minimize downtime and support organizational resilience during and after disruption.

CYSE2000 Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing

Learners evaluate the phases of hacking and assess hacking techniques and responses. Ethical hacking fundamentals and considerations are assessed. Learners develop network protection strategies, including the use of penetration testing. Learners examine threat actor behaviour by progressing through each phase of the ethical-hacking process in a controlled and accountable environment. Learners test vulnerabilities, evaluate security posture and use real-world penetration testing tools and tactics with a focus on responsible conduct, regulatory alignment and ethical practice.

CYSE2001 Secure Network Infrastructure and Routing and Switching

Learn how to secure network infrastructure devices including routers, firewalls, switches, servers, load-balancers, intrusion detection systems, domain name systems, and storage area networks.

CYSE2005 Cyber-Security Co-Op

Students will apply their skills in cyber security in a Canadian working environment. Prerequisite: COMM 1076, CYSE 1000, CYSE 2004, WKPL 2083, CYSE 1001, CYSE 1002, CYSE 1003, CYSE 1004, CYSE 1005, CYSE 1006, CYSE 1007, CYSE 1008, CYSE 1009, CYSE 2000, CYSE 2001, CYSE 2002, CYSE 2003

*Courses subject to change.

Three people wearing lanyards and business attire stand behind servers looking at a tablet. Green graphic circles are in the lower lefthand corner of the image.

Admission Requirements

Required academic preparation

A diploma or degree in Information Technology from a recognized college or university or equivalent.

All teaching within Loyalist is conducted in English. In order to be successful in a program, skills such as communication, listening comprehension, and reading and writing must be at a level sufficient to meet the demands of post-secondary studies. All applicants to Loyalist whose first language is not English, or whose previous education was in another language, will be expected to provide an English proficiency assessment for admissions approval. Details about language and general admission requirements are available here.

This program may be PGWP-eligible. Learn more and explore Loyalist’s PGWP-aligned programs.

This program may also be paired with the one-year Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (Post-graduate) for a two-year learning experience focusing on Cyber Security and Artificial Intelligence.

How to Apply

If you are an international applicant, click here for details about how to apply to this program.

If you are a Canadian resident and are interested in applying to this program, please contact admissions@loyalistcollege.com.

Costs

Industry certifications

Certification Pathways

As a graduate of Loyalist’s full-time Cyber Security post-graduate program, you may be eligible to advance your profession through the following certification pathways:

CompTIA Security+
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Cyber Security
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing
Certified Associate in Python Programming (PCAP)

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