Navigating the Canadian cyber security landscape: Career opportunities
Credit to Author: Staff Writer| Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2023 12:00:49 +0000
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As data breaches and hackers dominate news headlines, it’s no surprise that the demand for cyber security professionals is higher than ever. In fact, the global cyber security workforce is short 3.4 million people.
Chris Johnston, former CEO of cyber security firm Bulletproof, told the Financial Post, “Originally, only big budget firms with very sensitive data would hire us. Now 100-employee firms are buying our services.”
Johnston’s story mirrors the demand many other cybersecurity-related professionals and organizations face. Businesses are willing to invest more cyber security resources to avoid damaging their reputation or incurring financial losses.
Cyber security talent shortage in Canada
In today’s digital world, cyber security is an absolute necessity. The 2020 Cyberthreat Defense Report (CDR) highlighted the widespread prevalence of cyber threats affecting a significant majority of Canadian organizations, with 70% experiencing ransomware attacks.
The Globe and Mail reports Canada has 124,000 cyber security professionals but still needs 25,000 workers. Likewise, LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise lists security engineers as one of the most in-demand jobs in the country. And the demand for cyber security professionals will only continue to increase in the foreseeable future.
Due to the talent shortage, Canadian companies are offering competitive salaries and benefits packages to top talent. On average, cyber security specialists earn $42.16 per hour, while those on the higher end of the spectrum earn $98,011/year
Opportunities for newcomers
When Meenu arrived in Canada, she knew it would be challenging to continue her career in civil engineering. She worked as a customer service representative in a bank, but she wanted more than an entry-level position. The idea of pursuing a career in cyber security arose after encountering banking clients that were victims of online scams and fraud:
“A career transition in tech was on my mind for a long time. Cyber security is an ever-growing industry, and I wanted a career that could provide me with some kind of stability.”
However, as a newcomer in Canada, she needed more support. She explored her options and talked about financing options with a Learning Advisor at Lighthouse Labs.
“I didn’t have enough resources to start the boot camp immediately because I’m a newcomer to Canada. During my interview with a Lighthouse Labs Learning Advisor, I learned about the ICT Boost Initiative. When I discovered I was eligible for the funding, it encouraged me to take the leap of faith and jump into cyber security.”
During the program, Meenu learned technical skills like system and network security, threat intelligence, data protection and more — applying those skills in real-world simulations to test vulnerabilities and develop mitigation strategies while also developing soft skills by presenting findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Meenu’s advice to those considering a career change?
“I would say it is never too late. I’m 35 years old today and receiving my cyber security diploma, looking for a career change.”
At Lighthouse Labs, we understand that taking one of our programs is a huge investment. That’s why we provide a wide range of financing options to help reduce financial barriers so you can focus on your studies to get the tech training and digital skills you need to achieve your goals. In Meenu’s case, she financed her studies through the ICT Boost Initiative, funded in part by Government of Canada’s Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (SWSP). The program aims to support individuals from equity-deserving communities seeking training to launch their careers in tech.
Similarly, some provinces have government-funded training initiatives aimed at cyber security professionals. The Manpower Alberta Program is a training program in collaboration with ReTrain Canada. This program aims to deliver free cyber security training to Immigrant Albertans pursuing careers in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, especially in cyber security.
Reshaping the hiring culture in cyber security
Meenu’s story also reflects a shared challenge that other immigrants face. Employers often favour applicants with ‘Canadian experience’—which newcomers and immigrants lack. Francois Guay, founder of the Canadian Cyber Security Network, told The Globe & Mail this needs to change: “The current hiring culture in Canada needs to change to one of developing and growing talent, instead of simply complaining there are not enough skilled workers or worse, waiting on the government or educational institutions to develop more graduates.”
This transformation aims to actively nurture and develop talent within the cyber security sector, offering newcomers that already have a background in cyber security a more accessible pathway to contribute their skills and expertise to Canada’s ever-evolving digital landscape. This change is not only essential to meet the increasing demand for cyber security professionals but also to foster a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Short-term, intensive training programs like Lighthouse Labs’ Bootcamps and Flex Programs are a good option to consider for those looking to learn new tech skills and acquire Canadian work experience at the same time.
Wondering what a cyber security bootcamp entails? Read more here.
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