Careers in cybersecurity can help as Canada recovers from job loss
As cybersecurity awareness month comes to a close, initiatives from Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Ryerson put a spotlight on career and education opportunities in an industry that is only growing. Photo: iStock.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but for Sumit Bhatia, director of communications and knowledge mobilization at Ryerson’s Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst (the Catalyst), it’s about more than privacy and security against hackers.
It’s also about opportunity and education.
“We need to beef up our cybersecurity workforce,” said Bhatia. “If we don’t, then every day, week, month, we see a gap between the number of attacks and the number of skilled people we have in the industry [to fight them].”
With that in mind, the Catalyst has a solution. A big part of the not-for-profit corporation is training. Offered in three streams, the training programs are geared toward women, new Canadians and those looking for new careers in the cybersecurity sector.
What’s more, as Canada projects (external link) continued job loss due to COVID-19, Bhatia sees an opportunity for people to fill the talent gap that exists in cybersecurity.
“We will continue to see a shift in our economy for the next 24 months, it’s very unpredictable,” said Bhatia. “I think the unpredictability of it itself is a reason for us to start having discussions around reskilling and upskilling.”
So, what is required to be considered for a career in cybersecurity?.
The benefits of shifting careers to cybersecurity
There are three aspects that make cybersecurity an attractive career for anyone looking to, or needing to, make a career change.
- There is a serious need for skilled workers in the field. According to the Catalyst, Canada alone has a seven per cent annual growth rate in cybersecurity labour demand. The industry is expected to reach US $200 billion by 2023.
- While cybersecurity is technology-centric, it doesn’t require technical skill to enter it. The training programs at the Catalyst are designed to provide learners with certification within 20 weeks.
- Bhatia stresses that, as an industry, it welcomes diversity in skill, thinking and experience.
“We encourage reskilling and upskilling because we know there’s a shortage in the cybersecurity talent pool, we know there is going to be a shift in employment rates and we know that we can create opportunities for the talents of new Canadians,” he added.
The importance of education in cybersecurity
Beyond training programs and providing new career opportunities in the cybersecurity industry, the Catalyst was recently announced as a significant partner to the Ontario Government’s Cyber Security Centre of Excellence (external link) .
Designed for members of the broader public sector, the Cyber Security Centre of Excellence features training modules for foundational knowledge in cybersecurity. As Bhatia puts it, the modules will help employees in the public sector make better decisions with technology.
“I am really heartened by Ontario’s commitment to address these cybersecurity challenges and continue to grow the industry in a way that creates even more opportunity,” said Bhatia.
This could be in the form of new career paths or even entrepreneurship. Whether it’s a partnership or access to training, it boils down to education.
“Education is where we see behaviour change. That, along with awareness and creating access, is a big part of the work we do.”
If you’re interested in the Catalyst’s training programs, visit the Catalyst's website.
For more information on the Cyber Security Centre of Excellence, visit the centre's website (external link) .