Business & Technology
Cybersecurity Advanced Certificate
Program Description
The Cybersecurity Advanced Certificate program is a part-time, self-paced, fully online program designed for learners who have a background in information technology and wish to advance their knowledge of cybersecurity. The program is for learners who have completed SIIT’s Information Technology Support Specialist (ITSS) program or an equivalent program.
Building on foundational IT knowledge, the program helps students apply a security-focused approach to organizational systems and information assets. Learners progress from examining cybersecurity roles, responsibilities, and risk management principles to creating and maintaining secure IT environments and managing identities and access across on-premises, hybrid, and cloud-based systems.
Through applied scenarios, guided activities, and labs, students develop practical problem-solving skills and learn to evaluate and implement appropriate security measures. Emphasis is placed on making informed decisions that balance organizational needs, available resources, legal and ethical obligations, and community contexts.
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Successful completion of SIIT’s Information Technology Support Specialist (ITSS) program or equivalent program from another institution.
Non-Academic Requirements
- Minimum one year of related work experience
- Current resume
- Letter of intent explaining why the applicant wishes to pursue further education in cybersecurity
Technology Requirements
- Reliable high-speed internet access
- Regular access to a desktop or laptop computer with a current, supported operating system and web browser. A tablet or smartphone alone will not be sufficient to complete the program.
- A modern processor equivalent to an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 5000-series processor, with a minimum of 16 GB RAM
- Some courses, including CYBS-Z-6001 and CYBS-Z-6002, require access to a secure online lab or sandbox environment. Lab access will be arranged through SIIT and is expected to be primarily browser-based.
Acceptance Policy
SIIT provides preferential admission to applicants who are of First Nation’s ancestry; however, SIIT programs are open to everyone, and all application will be considered. SIIT relies on section 56 of The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, 2018 to provide preference to applicants who are of First Nations’ ancestry.
Permanent Resident Applicant Information
SIIT is not currently legislated to accept International Students. You must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident to apply.
For Permanent Resident applications we will request the following documentation:
- Copy of Permanent Resident Card
- International Qualifications Assessment (IQAS) International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) | Alberta.ca Your high school/secondary education credentials must be assessed through this service.
- Canadian Language Benchmark – English Assessment of CLB 7. We will accept either International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Academic or Canadian English Language Proficiency Program (CELPIP) – General.
Nov 2026 - Cybersecurity Advanced Certificate - Online
Program Length: 8 months
Start Date: 11/02/2026
Division: Business & Information Technology
Campus: Other
Location: Online - Cybersecurity Advanced Certificate
Apply Now
To qualify, you must have completed SIIT's Information Technology Support Specialist (ITSS) program or an equivalent program from another Institution. Please ensure to read the description and admission requirements as listed on the website. For more information, please contact SIIT Admissions at (306) 477-9325 or by email at advisor@siit.ca.
Courses
The first four courses listed below will be offered during the 2026-27 academic year. These courses are designed to build upon one another, with each course serving as a prerequisite foundation for the next. Each course will have defined start and end dates.
| Code | Course Title | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CYBS-Z-6000 | Foundations of Cybersecurity | 60 | 4 |
| CYBS-Z-6001 | Security Infrastructure and Architecture | 75 | 5 |
| CYBS-Z-6002 | Identity and Access Management | 45 | 3 |
| CYBS-Z-6003 | Human Security and Security Awareness Training | 15 | 1 |
| Courses 1-4 Total | 195 | 13 | |
| Code | Course Title | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CYBS-Z-6004 | Vulnerability Management and Threat Intelligence | 45 | 3 |
| CYBS-Z-6005 | Security Operations and Incident Response | 60 | 4 |
| CYBS-Z-6006 | Cloud Security Fundamentals | 15 | 1 |
| CYBS-Z-6007 | Ethical Hacking and Pen Testing Concepts | 15 | 1 |
| CYBS-Z-6008 | Professional Practice | 30 | 2 |
| CYBS-Z-6009 | Capstone | 45 | 3 |
| Courses 5-10 Total | 210 | 14 | |
Tuition and Fees
Cost per course: $500 includes e-texts, technology fee, and subscription costs.
Some courses, including CYBS-Z-6001 and CYBS-Z-6002, require access to a secure online lab environment.
What to Expect
Initial Course Schedule
CYBS-Z-6000 – Foundations of Cybersecurity: November 2 – December 18, 2026
CYBS-Z-6001 – Security Infrastructure and Architecture: January 11 – March 12, 2027
CYBS-Z-6002 – Identity and Access Management: April 5 – May 14, 2027
CYBS-Z-6003 – Human Security and Security Awareness Training: May 31 – June 18, 2027
The final six courses will follow the same course sequence and timeline for the 2027-2028 academic year.
Delivery Method
This program is delivered part-time and fully online through the Learning Management System, D2L Brightspace. Coursework is completed through a self-paced, flexible learning format, allowing students to study on their own schedule within established course timelines. Students progress through the program by completing a series of courses, with each course serving as a prerequisite for the next. Facilitator guidance, feedback for specific assessments, and individualized support are provided throughout the program as scheduled or as needed.
Academic Policy
Students attending must adhere to SIIT Academic & Student policies which are available on the mySIIT dashboard on the SIIT website.
Attendance Policy
Because the program is offered as flexible online learning, attendance is demonstrated through regular participation and satisfactory progress rather than attendance at scheduled classes. Students are expected to engage with course content each week, complete required activities, labs, and assessments by established deadlines, and maintain regular communication with the facilitator. Students who are unable to participate or meet a deadline must contact the facilitator as soon as possible. Repeated or extended inactivity may result in attendance follow-up and further action in accordance with SIIT Academic and Student policies.
Evaluation
Students are evaluated through a combination of online quizzes and tests, scenario-based assessments, written assignments, and applied or lab-based activities aligned with the learning outcomes of each course. Specific assessment requirements and weightings are provided in the individual course syllabi.
To successfully complete the program and be awarded the Advanced Certificate, students must earn a minimum final grade of 60% in every course and achieve an overall program average of at least 60%. A grade below 60% in any course is considered a failing grade and will prevent program progression until the course is successfully completed. The minimum grade requirement is intended to ensure that students have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for the field.
Credentials and Course Badges
Students who successfully complete an individual course will receive a badge of completion for that course. The badges can be shared with employers or funders. Students who successfully complete all ten courses and meet all program requirements will be awarded the Cybersecurity Advanced Certificate.
Career Opportunities
The Cybersecurity Advanced Certificate aligns most closely with foundational knowledge and skills associated with National Occupational Classification (NOC) 21220 – Cybersecurity specialists. Professionals within this occupational group develop, implement, improve, and monitor security measures designed to protect computer networks, systems, devices, and information. Examples of occupational titles included under NOC 21220 include cybersecurity analyst, informatics security analyst, information technology security specialist, and systems security analyst.
Because this is an advanced program intended for learners who already have foundational IT education and related work experience, completion of the certificate may help graduates progress toward junior or support-level responsibilities in cybersecurity analysis, IT security administration, identity and access management, and network security. It may also strengthen graduates’ ability to take on security-related responsibilities within existing IT support, systems administration, or network administration positions.
Potential employers include IT consulting and managed-service companies, government and public-sector organizations, educational institutions, financial and professional-service organizations, nonprofit organizations, and Indigenous and community-serving organizations. Employment outcomes will depend on each graduate’s previous education, work experience, technical skills, and any additional industry certifications or training. Completion of this certificate does not by itself qualify a graduate for every occupation or position classified under NOC 21220.
Further Education
Graduates may pursue further post-secondary study in cybersecurity, information technology, computer science, or related fields. Depending on their career goals and prior experience, they may also pursue industry certifications in areas such as cybersecurity foundations, security operations, identity and access management, cloud security, network security, vulnerability management, or penetration testing. Completion of this program does not itself confer an external industry certification.
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