Cybersecurity jobs are plentiful in Canada. Find out how to get a cybersecurity job and the types of opportunities available in this helpful article.
Cybersecurity professionals are in demand. According to a study by the cybersecurity professional organization ISC2, some 3.1 million unfilled positions exist worldwide [闭.听
The Canadian government also labels the 鈥渘eed for cyber talent in all sectors鈥 as 鈥渦rgent鈥 noting your skills 鈥渨ill be highly transferable, enabling you to move anywhere in the world and to any industry鈥 [].
Working in cybersecurity allows you to work in a fast-paced environment where you continually learn and grow. You can choose from many different roles in cybersecurity, even if you don't have a technical background. You might take a policy, research, data analysis, or law enforcement role. However, if you have a strong interest in technology and enjoy tackling complex challenges, you might enjoy the job opportunities in cybersecurity.听
This article examines some of the many roles available to cybersecurity professionals and discusses potential career paths.
You might be able to start your cybersecurity career with a certificate. However, you鈥檒l typically need a bachelor鈥檚 or extensive experience to move into a more senior role.听
Average salary: $55,401
As an IT support specialist, you鈥檒l help troubleshoot problems related to cybersecurity, mobile devices, operating systems, virtualization, the cloud, software, or other related areas.听
As an IT support specialist, your day-to-day responsibilities could include:
Computer assembly
Wireless networking
Program installation
Customer service
Security fundamentals
Common credentials: CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications,
Related job titles: Help desk technician, computer network support specialist, customer support specialist
Average salary: $71,554
As a junior cybersecurity analyst, you work to identify security vulnerabilities and prevent cyber threats. Your regular tasks might include:
Monitoring network access
Performing security tests
Reviewing security alerts
Risk analysis
Establishing threat plans聽
Common certifications: CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, GIAC Security Essentials
Related job titles: Security analyst, information analyst
Average salary: $64,223
As a penetration tester (pen tester for short), you鈥檒l help businesses identify their security weaknesses before malicious hackers can do the same. You do this by attempting to breach computer networks with the company鈥檚 permission. Tasks might include:
Planning, designing, and carrying out penetration tests
Creating reports on test results and offering recommendations to security decision-makers
Developing scripts to automate parts of the testing process
Conducting social engineering exercises (attempting to get company employees to disclose confidential information)
Providing technical support during incident handling
Common certifications: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CompTIA PenTest+, GIAC Certified Penetration Tester (GPEN)
Related job titles: White hat hacker, ethical hacker, vulnerability assessor
Average salary: $55,008 []
In this role, you鈥檙e the company鈥檚 point person for security, ensuring data remains secure against unauthorized access and cyberattacks. Responsibilities for security specialists vary from organization to organization but may include:
Testing and maintaining firewalls and antivirus software
Implementing security training
Researching new security risks
Suggesting improvements for security weaknesses
Common certifications: CompTIA Security+, Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP), GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
Related job titles: Cybersecurity specialist, information security specialist
Average salary: $58,046 []
As a vulnerability analyst, you will analyse your organization鈥檚 systems security and help make risk-based decisions. Regular tasks might include:
Ensure data compliance with regulations.
Recommend policy and procedure improvements
Perform risk assessments
Use automated tools and manual testing techniques in security audits
Create and maintain training programs
Run custom scripts and applications
Common certifications: Certified Ethical Hacker, GIAC Certified Incident Handler, Certified Information Systems Security Professional聽
Related job titles: Ethical hacker, vulnerability manager, reverse engineer, network security engineer
As you gain experience in cybersecurity, several paths can open up for advancement into more specialized roles. These are just a few options for mid-level and advanced cybersecurity professionals.
Average salary: $72,600 []
In this role, you鈥檙e typically put in charge of the day-to-day operations of an organization鈥檚 cybersecurity systems. Your responsibilities might include:
Monitoring systems and running regular backups
Managing individual user accounts
Developing and documenting security procedures for the organization
Collaborating with security teams to respond to unwanted intrusions
Participating in company-wide security audits
Common certifications: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Related job titles: Security administrator, cybersecurity administrator, information security officer
Average salary: $105,881 []
In this role, you design the systems to keep a company鈥檚 computers, networks, and data safe from cyber-attacks and natural disasters. These security systems might include elements like firewalls and intrusion detection systems. Day-to-day tasks might include:
Developing security standards and best practices
Recommending security enhancements to management
Ensuring new security systems are installed and configured correctly
Testing security solutions
Leading incident response teams
Develop programs to automate vulnerability detection聽
Common certifications: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
Related job titles: Cybersecurity engineer, network security engineer, information security engineer
Average salary: $87,083 []
Working in cryptography involves securing data for communication and information exchange. Cryptologists create encryption algorithms, ciphers, and other security protocols to encrypt data. Cryptanalysts decrypt information that has been coded. Common tasks in this role include:
Developing new cryptographic algorithms
Analyzing existing algorithms for vulnerabilities
Implementing encryption solutions
Testing new encryption techniques and tools
Common certifications: EC-Council Certified Encryption Specialist (ECES)
Related job titles: Cryptologist, cryptanalyst, cryptography engineer
Average salary: $129,246 []
As a security architect, you set the vision for a company鈥檚 security systems. This role combines programming, threat research, and policy development to keep an organization a step ahead of threats. Your responsibilities might include:
Building and maintaining secure networks and systems
Preparing budgets and overseeing security expenses
Coordinating security operations across IT and engineering departments
Improving systems in response to security incidents or vulnerabilities
Conducting breach of security drills
Common certifications: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), CSA Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK)
Related job titles: Cybersecurity architect, information security architect
Feeder role: Security engineer, information security analyst
Average salary: $138,242 []
In this cybersecurity leadership position, you鈥檙e responsible for overseeing the security infrastructure at your organization. This might include:
Managing human and technological resources
Tracking changes to internal and external security policy
Ensuring compliance with security rules and regulations
Sourcing cybersecurity tools for the organization
Leading risk mitigation efforts
Common certifications: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Related job titles: Information security manager聽
Feeder role: Information security analyst, security administrator
Explore data on cybersecurity jobs across Canada using Tech Nation Canada鈥檚 .听听
While cybersecurity job requirements vary widely from company to company, you might notice some common trends. Let鈥檚 take a closer look at some of the requirements and how you can meet them to get your first cybersecurity job.听
Many jobs in security list a bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field as a requirement. While degrees are common among professionals in the cybersecurity industry, they鈥檙e not always required. An ISC2 survey of 1,024 cybersecurity professionals in the US and Canada found that more than half felt that an education in cybersecurity is 鈥渘ice to have鈥 but not 鈥渃ritical.鈥 About 20 per cent of those surveyed with less than three years of experience had only an associate or technical degree [].
A bachelor鈥檚 or master鈥檚 degree can often create more job opportunities, make you a more competitive candidate in the cybersecurity job market, or help you advance in your career. Some degree programs let you concentrate your studies on cybersecurity.
The Canadian federal government offers student internship opportunities through the Federal Student Work Exchange Program. The following departments and agencies offer roles:
Communications Security Establishment
Canadian Security Intelligence Service
Public Safety Canada
Royal Canadian Mounted Police聽
Cybersecurity job postings may request at least one certification. You鈥檒l find multiple certifications, and the quality isn鈥檛 always the same.听
If you鈥檙e new to cybersecurity, consider starting with a more foundational certification, like the CompTIA Security+. From there, you can gain the necessary work experience to earn more advanced certifications.听
With so many cybersecurity positions to fill, having the right skills can go a long way toward helping you secure a job. To prepare for a cybersecurity role, start building your technical and workplace skills through online courses, boot camps, or self-study. These skills are a good place to start:
Cloud security
Programming (especially scripting) languages
Encryption
Risk assessment
Intrusion detection
Problem-solving
Analytical thinking
Over half of the security professionals surveyed by ISC2 got their start in cybersecurity through an entry-level role in IT. If you鈥檙e interested in a high-demand career in cybersecurity, start building the skills you need with the IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate on 糖心vlog官网观看. Get hands-on experience through virtual labs and real-world case studies. Learn from industry experts and earn a credential for your resume in less than six months.听
ISC2. 鈥, https://www.isc2.org/Research/CareerPursuers/." Accessed May 14, 2024.
Public Safety Canada. ", https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cbr-scrt/cbr-crr-wrnss/index-en.aspx/." Accessed May 14, 2024.
Glassdoor. ", https://www.glassdoor.ca/Salaries/canada-it-support-specialist-salary-SRCH_IL.0,6_IN3_KO7,28.htm." Accessed May 14, 2024.
Glassdoor. ", https://www.glassdoor.ca/Salaries/canada-vulnerability-analyst-salary-SRCH_IL.0,6_IN3_KO7,28.htm." Accessed May 14, 2024.
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Glassdoor. ", https://www.glassdoor.ca/Salaries/canada-security-engineer-salary-SRCH_IL.0,6_IN3_KO7,24.htm." Accessed May 14, 2024.
Glassdoor. ", https://www.glassdoor.ca/Salaries/canada-cryptography-engineer-salary-SRCH_IL.0,6_IN3_KO7,28.htm." Accessed May 14, 2024.
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