Traits, skills and aptitudes
You should have education and/or work experience in industrial systems (SCADA, PLCs, Instrumentation, etc.) and/or computer networking or related fields.
You understand the importance of cybersecurity and are intrigued by how critical infrastructure and operations technologies can be compromised and want to protect these assets.
People in the cyber security 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
- high ethical standards.
To do well in this field, you should enjoy being innovative, working with others or independently, and doing your work with precision.
Practicum, co-op and work integrated learning opportunities
You’ll participate in a capstone project to use all the techniques gained throughout the program to expose vulnerabilities in large systems specific to industrial control systems.
Accreditations, designations or certifications
Once you graduate, you’ll be prepared with the knowledge to challenge the CompTIA Security+ exam and earn your certification.
Specialized intakes
This program is available to international applicants as a stand-alone program or as part of a program bundle - two programs delivered consecutively.
If you choose the program bundle, you’ll complete the programs in the order they are listed, completing the first program in your first year of study, and the second program in your second year.
Available bundles including this program are:
After completing both programs, you’ll receive two credentials, including a Cyber Security for Control Systems post-diploma certificate.
You may then qualify for a post-graduate work permit of up to three years. If you only complete one of the programs, you may be eligible for a one-year post-graduate work permit.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements for both programs.
Bundle program details
Credential
Upon successful completion of this program, you’ll receive a SAIT Cyber Security for Control Systems post-diploma certificate.
Program length
1 to 1.5 years
Accepts international applicants - PGWP-eligible
This program accepts international applicants and meets the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program, as long as the student is registered in on-campus classes or completes more than 50% of the courses on campus (for blended options).
International students attending all classes online will NOT be eligible for a Post-Graduate Work Permit. International students are responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies.
Related careers
Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.
Potential careers (NOC):
- Computer and information systems managers (20012)
- Data scientists (21211)
- Computer network and web technicians (22220)
- Cybersecurity specialists (21220)
- Business systems specialists (21221)
- Information systems specialists (21222)
Admission requirements - Applicants educated in Canada
Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and completion of one of the following courses or equivalents:
- a two-year diploma or undergraduate degree in information technology, instrumentation or related technical discipline.
Three to five years of experience in information technology, instrumentation or a related technical discipline may also be accepted with approval from the program Academic Chair. A combination of education and experience will be considered.
Application process
International bundle program applicants
If you are an international applicant who wishes to take this program as part of a bundle, first review the admission requirements for both programs to ensure you meet them.
When selecting your programs in the application portal, your first choice should be the program delivered in year one. The second choice program will be the program delivered in year two.
The bundle is unavailable to domestic applicants, who may apply to the stand-alone program.
Program outline
The Cyber Security for Control Systems certificate requires 27 credits (10 courses) to complete.
The program can be completed full-time in two 15-week semesters or part-time in the evenings across five 15-week semesters.
Elective courses
Choose one of the following courses.
Many of your required courses require this elective course as a prerequisite. We recommend you complete your elective course first.
Suggested schedule of study
Semester 1
Choose either CPSY 401 or CPRG 407
Semester 1
Choose either CPSY 401 or CPRG 407
Semester 1
Choose eithr CPSY 401 or CPRG 407
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 $2,000 - $2,500 per full-time year.
This is a bring-your-own-device program with a power-user hardware and software requirement. Laptops should meet the following minimum requirements (also found on our computers and laptops page):
- 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)
Required textbooks will be discussed in class. You will not need to purchase them ahead of time.
Program outcomes
- Assess cyber security risk management programs to ensure adequate protection of an organization’s critical information and assets.
- Apply Cyber Security Industrial Control Systems (ICS) standards, frameworks, guidelines and policies.
- Detect attack methodologies, intrusions, or other suspicious attempts to gain unauthorized access to a system and its resources.
- Impart contingency operations that include administrative planning processes for incident response, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning for cyber security.
- Communicate short- and long-term organizational cybersecurity strategies and policies to a wide range of stakeholders.
- Cite and comply with relevant industry and organizational codes of conduct and ethical practice.
- Incorporate service standards from business environment strategies into the industrial control system (ICS) environment.
- Design and implement risk analysis policies and procedures.
Graduate outcomes
A. Safety - awareness of safety standards relevant to the workplace.
B. Responsible leadership - personal, ethical and respectful behaviour within the workplace and global community.
- Teamwork and multi-disciplinary collaboration
- Self-initiative
- Ethical reasoning and action
- Global awareness
- Sustainability
C. Communication - the exchange of information professionally and effectively.
- Language skills
- Interpersonal skills
D. Information literacy - the strategies used to become informed, from recognizing an information need to accessing and evaluating information and using it effectively and ethically.
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Quantitative literacy
- Technological literacy
E. Technical knowledge, skills and abilities - technical competence specific to the discipline or industry.
- Specialized technical skill set
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