York U to offer certificate in cybersecurity operations

(CNW Group/York University School of Continuing Studies)

York University’s School of Continuing Studies announced the launch of a Post-Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security Operations. This full-time program is designed for recent university graduates with no experience in information technology to pursue an in-demand, entry-level cyber security position.

“Businesses today are rapidly adopting digital transformation, exposing more and more of their sensitive data assets to the world in a bid to compete globally. Coupled with the prominence of Work-from-Home, these businesses need immediate technical expertise to detect, respond and recover from incidents of cyber attack or employee events that threaten their most critical asset—their data,” said Jeff Clark, a cyber security operations professional at a Canadian financial institution and academic coordinator for the new certificate, in a statement.

“Cyber professionals are needed now on the front lines across small, medium and large enterprises, and they must come equipped with both broad security understanding, and actionable security analyst skills. Job candidates with hands-on training like students get in the School of Continuing Studies’ Post-Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security Operations are sought after because employers can leverage their skills immediately,” added Clark.

Experienced cyber security professionals are currently in high demand, marked by a 13 per cent cumulative annual growth rate in the number of entry-level cyber security job postings across Canada.  The strongest demand is in the Greater Toronto Area with 19 per cent cumulative annual growth rate.

“Over the years, many educational institutions have introduced cyber security programs, but employer expectations have changed. Employers want candidates with an educational background in cyber security and practical experience developing security measures. The Post-Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security Operations provides exactly that—the knowledge, skills and experience students need, plus the credibility of a credential from a well-known post-secondary institution and market leader in the cyber security field,” said Tracey Taylor-O’Reilly, Assistant Vice-President, Continuing Studies at York University, in a statement.

York U has stated that at the end of the program students will be able to analyze and evaluate the various tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) of suspicious entities leveraged to steal data. They should also be able to demonstrate an understanding of operational security concepts, principles, best practices, and responsibilities required to protect organizational assets.