Protect company networks and data as a cybersecurity specialist
Cybersecurity Ontario College Graduate Certificate program
Focus on practical information security topics and strategies. Benefit from field trips and industry guest speakers. Get hands-on experience on your co-op work term.
Part-time
Program information
Program description
You prepare for careers involving the development, evaluation, and support of cybersecurity solutions. Building on previous educational and industry experiences, you learn to create cost-effective and secure computing environments. You develop the knowledge and skills to categorize, design, implement and integrate technical safeguards to ensure the security of information systems. Emphasis is placed on cultivating the interpersonal, organizational, technical, communication, and problem-solving skills applied to enhance the effective implementation of security in a business environment.
Intake information
| Start date | Campus |
|---|---|
| Winter 2025 | Barrie |
| Summer 2025 | Barrie |
| Fall 2025 | Barrie |
Tuition and fees
- Visit our tuition and fees page for detailed information on the cost to attend Georgian.
- You can afford this! Explore OSAP as well as awards, scholarships and bursaries to help you pay your way to graduation.
Work-integrated learning
- This program includes a co-op work term component where you’ll gain experience in a workplace related to your field of study.
- Learn about types of work-integrated learning at Georgian.
What are the admission requirements for the Cybersecurity program?
Cybersecurity admission requirements
- Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma, Degree, or equivalent with a focus in computer science, computer engineering or computer networking, or equivalent professional work experience in computer networks, operating systems and programming.
Selection Process
Applicants will be asked to submit a current resume and letter of interest to the Program Coordinator. Academic and experiential learning of all applicants will be assessed.
Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check
Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference three months prior to placement; checks conducted earlier may not be considered current. As some jurisdictions require longer lead-time for processing, please check with the program coordinator to ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the completed document prior to placement start.
NOTE: A record of criminal offences, for which a pardon has not been granted, may prevent students from completing their placements, thereby affecting their ability to graduate.
Additional information
To be successful in this program, you are required to have a personal notebook computer prior to the start of the program that meets or exceeds the following hardware specifications:
- Intel or AMD x86 64bit with Virtualization Technology, minimum 4 cores, 6 cores or more recommended
- Minimum 16GB RAM
- 500GB SSD
Additional operating systems, security tools, and software used in the program will be provided to the student upon commencement of the program.
What career paths can I take in network and information systems security?
Your Cybersecurity graduate certificate gives you many career opportunities
The need for organizations to build and maintain secure network and information systems has created demand for skilled computer and network systems security specialists. Chief Information Officers and Information Technology Managers charged with the need to plan and implement security controls and infrastructure to protect information systems will increasingly require the skills of security specialists. Career opportunities may be available in both public and private sector organizations including the financial sector, health care, education and more. Graduates may gain employment as administrators, technicians, security analysts or penetration testers.
Flex MORE. Study Cybersecurity part-time
Benefits of studying part-time:
What you need to know:
What courses are included in the Cybersecurity graduate certificate program?
Course overview
12 Program Courses
1 Co-op Work Term
Program-specific courses
Semester 1 courses are listed below. For a full list of courses in the program including course descriptions, view the Cybersecurity program outline.
- NETS 1015 – Security Management
- NETS 1025 – Network Security
- NETS 1026 – Windows Systems Security
- NETS 1028 – Linux Systems Security
- NETS 1035 – Applied Cryptography
- NETS 1040 – Security Operations and Analysis
Your course delivery method(s)
GC Flex
This program is delivered via GC Flex, giving you choice and flexibility. Using technology-enabled, purpose-designed learning spaces, professors deliver lectures and labs in the classroom and simultaneously online. You can participate on campus or online during class or review course materials online later.
Please note, delivery methods are based on planning for the upcoming semester and are subject to change.
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Do you have questions about Cybersecurity? Contact us!
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