Durham College

What you'll study

Coursework and labs develop practical capability across core cybersecurity domains. Key areas named in program materials include:

• Risk reduction and threat analysis
• Digital forensics and support for chain-of-evidence procedures
• Secure programming, scripting and software lifecycle security using agile methods
• Network defence, monitoring and analysis of network activity
• Vulnerability assessment, penetration testing and auditing
• Cryptography, encryption and ethical hacking techniques
• Cyberattack mitigation, risk management and implementation of security controls
• Emerging topics such as blockchain technologies

First-semester courses listed include Communications 1: Critical Thinking and Writing, Introduction to Programming, Introduction to Information Security, Introduction to Networking and Math for Computing; learning is reinforced with case studies, applied projects and labs.

Entry requirements

Applicants must have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or qualify under Mature Student Status. Program prerequisites specified are Grade 12 mathematics (C or U), Grade 12 English (C or U) and four additional Grade 11 or 12 courses (C, M or U); post-secondary English and math courses will be considered in place of those credits. Mature domestic applicants may use pre-admission assessment testing to meet English and/or math requirements.

Career prospects

The program documents a range of job roles graduates could enter, including:

• Forensic computer analyst
• Cybersecurity specialist
• Information security analyst
• Penetration and vulnerability tester
• Security architect
• IT security engineer
• Security systems administrator
• IT auditor and IT security consultant

Graduates are prepared to work across public and private IT organizations, applying industry best practices, standards and policies to manage security risks and implement advanced security solutions.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Program materials show year-one tuition figures: domestic $6,463 CAD and international $19,175 CAD; students should consult Durham College for current tuition, fees and available entrance awards. The program guide and college financial-aid pages are the sources for details on scholarships, bursaries and payment options.