Diploma in Cybersecurity Specialist Co-op

You will have 480 hours guided learning hours followed by 240 hours practicum hours in an established business. The work placement will help you apply the theories you learn to practical business situations. We will help you secure your work placement by sending you for interviews.

1. Introduction to Cybersecurity - this module is designed to give learners basic knowledge of the cyber world. This module will enable students to understand the principles of cyber-attacks, the Darknet, hackers’ motivations and various advanced technologies.

2. Computer Networks - this unit will review the structure of the personal computer basic concepts in data communications, the 7 layers model, working with SERVER 2016, remote and direct access and VPN.

3. Communications, Operation Systems and Data Management - this unit focuses on advanced computer communications topics such as monitoring and analyzing network traffic, operating systems (with an emphasis on Linux and Windows), data archives and management development (including Structured Query Language (SQL) and Mobile-cyber).

4. Programming languages for Cybersecurity - this unit covers web technologies and basic HTML development. In addition, students will learn Python code development and basic programming with python.

5. Concepts and Practical Implication of Encryption - this module will focus on the technology of cryptography and the techniques, limitations and problems commonly encountered. It covers the theory and application of methods available to secure information, computers and networks, as well as legal issues to do with cryptography.

6. Information Security in the Cyber World - on this module, students will learn several topics. First, they will become familiar with various types of scans such as networks, sites, computers and vulnerabilities for attacks. The second part of this module will cover weaknesses in information security (hardware, software, and infrastructure) and data and cyber protection technologies, tools and leading companies.

7. Penetration testing - this module is designed to provide learners with the basic skills to conduct and build penetration testing infrastructure that includes all the equipment needed such as hardware, software, network infrastructure and tools.

8. Hackathon - this module will cover tactics for managing and synchronizing a multiplayer cyber event: SOC, NOC, ISP, MSSP and using communication strategies as a tool to manage and prevent a crisis during cyber-attacks.

9. Work Placement - once the program is complete, students are required to complete 240 hours of a work placement in a suitable business environment. Appropriate business sectors for a placement include cybersecurity services, banking, financial services and insurance offices, not-for-profits, communications services, government entities and more.

Activities performed will vary depending on the placement site, however, the key responsibilities of each student will include:

• Learning to build secure software systems, networks and data centers;
• Assisting in the search for vulnerabilities and risks in hardware and software;
• Building firewalls into network infrastructures.

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma or Equivalent * or Mature student **
• Age 18 or older
• IELTS of 5.5 or equivalent for Non-native English speakers 
• Pass a Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam

For more information on English language requirements, please see English Proficiency page

*A transcript, diploma or certificate from another country are considered equivalent to an Ontario high school diploma if assessed at an Ontario OSSD level by a recognized assessment service.

See the pre-approved recognized assessment services below:

• World Education Services- wes.org
• University of Toronto, School of Continuing Studies, Comparative Education Service – learn.utoronto.ca/ces
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada- icascanada.ca

** Mature students must be at least 18 years of age and pass a Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam with a minimum score of 15.

You must successfully complete and pass all five modules to be awarded the TSoM Diploma.

The assessment of each module consists of:

• Module 1 to Module 7
  • Individual Assignments or Class Tests 50%
  • Final Exam  40%
  • Participation  10%
• Module 8
  • Individual Assignments or Class Tests 90%
  • Participation  10%
• Module 9
  • Work Placement Evaluation 100%

Upon completion of this program, you will be awarded the Diploma. If you do not pass, you can re-enroll in the course and re-take at the next available sitting.

There are a number of roles you can enter upon successful course completion. These include but are not limited to:

• Informatics Security Analyst
• Systems Security Analyst
• Security Administrator
• Security Software Developer
• Cryptographer