Jan 22, 2025

PUBLISHED 2024-2025 Credit Catalog

Cyber Security Analyst

Location(s): Online

Are you ready to take your IT career to the next level and become a cybersecurity expert? With cybercrime on the rise and ever-increasing digitalization, there has never been a better time to enhance your skills and join the ranks of cybersecurity professionals.

The Cyber Security Analyst program is the first of its kind in North America to offer apprenticeship-style training in the cybersecurity field.

This program is for employers interested in developing competencies within their in-house security team. As 51% of training is done in the workplace, your employer must sponsor you for this program.

Our program will equip you with the knowledge and expertise you need to thrive in this expanding field. Whether you’re an IT enthusiast looking to pivot your career, a seasoned professional or a software engineer seeking to stay ahead of the curve, this computer security program is your ticket to success.

In this program, you will:

gain a solid grounding in cyber security risk and compliance
learn how to respond to and mitigate cyber incidents swiftly
understand how to safeguard critical data and infrastructure from relentless cyber threats
acquire the ability to enhance security operations and drive business value.

Taught by industry-seasoned instructors, our program delivers a hands-on and immersive learning experience that covers a range of cybersecurity domains, best practices and cutting-edge technologies. You’ll delve into the fascinating world of cyber threats, ethical hacking, vulnerability assessment and more.

As a cyber security professional, you’ll be at the forefront of safeguarding digital assets and ensuring your business or organization’s resiliency and peace of mind. This field is in high demand and offers competitive salaries and the opportunity to safeguard business operations. Our program can help you get there.

Traits, skills and aptitudes

Those working in the cyber security analysis field tend to be innovative, objective and directive.

You need:

analytical skills
speaking and writing skills
an inquiring and inventive mind
an eye for details
patience and an organized approach to troubleshooting
decision-making and problem-solving skills
math and science skills
teaching skills
time-management skills.

To do well in this field, you should enjoy being innovative, working with others or on your own and being precise in your work.

Practicum, co-op and work integrated learning opportunities

You’ll participate in a cooperative work term course, allowing you to apply your classroom learning in a practical workplace setting and gain valuable industry experience.

Accreditations, designations or certifications

Once you graduate, you’ll be prepared with the knowledge to take the Security+ and Comp Tia+ exams and earn your certifications.

Credential

Upon successful completion of this program, you will be awarded a SAIT Cyber Security Analyst post-diploma certificate.

Program length

52 weeks

Not open to international applicants

This program is not available to international applicants at this time.

CAJG-eligible

This program is eligible for the Canada Alberta Job Grant.

Related careers

Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.

Potential careers (NOC):

Cybersecurity specialists (21220)
Information system specialists (21222)

Admission requirements - Applicants educated in Canada

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and meet the following requirements or equivalents:

a post-secondary degree or diploma from a recognized university, institute or college
sponsorship from your current employer.

A combination of education and experience may be considered in place of the above, subject to approval by the Academic Chair.

Admission requirements - Applicants educated outside of Canada

All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find accepted educational documents and assessment options.

SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.

Program outline

The Cyber Security Analyst certificate requires 30 credits (10 courses) to complete.

The program spans 52 weeks

Required courses

ITSC 410 - Cyber Security Essentials 3 Credits
ITSC 411 - Cyber Operations 3 Credits
ITSC 412 - Governance, Standards, and Compliance Frameworks 3 Credits
ITSC 413 - Cyber Security Risk Management 3 Credits
ITSC 414 - Incident Response 3 Credits
ITSC 415 - IT Infrastructure Security 3 Credits
ITSC 416 - Globalization in Information Security 3 Credits
ITSC 418 - Cyber Security Career Exploration 3 Credits
ITSC 417 - Penetration Testing 3 Credits Credits / Units: 3
ACWE 410 - Cyber Security Analyst Field Placement 3 Credits

Progression

You must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better each semester and pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program.

To qualify for graduation, you must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Review our grading and progression procedure >

Books and supplies

Books and supplies are approximately $2,300 per full-time year.

This is a bring-your-own-device program with a power-user hardware and software requirement. The recommended hardware and software requirements are:

Processor: i7
RAM: 32 GB RAM or greater
Storage: 512 GB SSD or greater
Video card: On-board integrated
Screen size: 15” or greater
Screen resolution: 1920 x 1080 or greater
OS version: Windows 10 or newer, Pro 64-bit with antivirus/malware protection (MacOS is not supported)
Approximate price (CAD): $1,800

Required textbooks will be discussed in class. You will not need to purchase them ahead of time.

Advanced Digital Technology program advising

For any questions or to set up an advising appointment, please contact our School for Advanced Digital Technology.

Phone: 403.284.8543
Email: sadt.advising@sait.ca

Program outcomes

Analysis and assessment - perform an analysis and assessment of security risks.
Threat intelligence - demonstrate the professional skills required to support organizations’ IT requirements.
Technical skills - demonstrate the technical skills to identify, interpret, and respond to cyber incidents.
Infrastructure protection - mitigate threats to corporate IT systems, networks, and endpoints (phones, laptops, tablets).
Secure web applications - secure organizational applications (cloud, web) through analysis and threat monitoring.
Governance and compliance - explain industry cyber security standards, governance, and compliance frameworks to ensure an organization’s effective cyber security practices
Global strategy - interpret business security needs within a global environment.
Professional communication - demonstrate effective verbal, non-verbal, and written technical communications and use critical thinking and ethical decision-making to support effective cyber security operations.