Program Information

Cyber-criminal activity is the fastest-growing crime in the nation and globally.  Organizations are challenged with having to detect and respond to cybersecurity breaches as, or before, they happen and employers are in dire need of trained, educated cyber professionals.  The Bachelor of Applied Information Technology: Systems and Network Cybersecurity is designed to meet the needs of this rapidly growing field. 
 
Building on the existing two-year Diploma in Computer Systems and Networking, students will have the option to complete an additional two years to obtain a specialized Applied Degree titled: Bachelor of Applied Information Technology: Systems and Network Cybersecurity. 
The student will learn how to protect against unauthorized access ensuring confidentiality, integrity and availability of resources shielding an organization from internal and external infiltration and attacks.  Hands-on activities will prepare students with the skills to safeguard and monitor IT infrastructures, edge devices, networks, and data.  This will be accomplished by:

• Utilizing specialized tools
• Applying information security practices
• Creating incident management policies and procedures; and,
• Implementing security risk management procedures.

These skills will ensure that the individual, and the organization, can effectively respond to dynamic security threats and adversaries.
 
Students will complete an applied degree that balances the hands-on training and theory required by employers.  Courses incorporating personal development, communication, and leadership skills will enable the student to advance their career allowing them to take on more responsibility
 
OBJECTIVES
The Bachelor of Applied Information Technology: Systems and Network Cybersecurity degree will specialize in the field of Systems and Network Cybersecurity enabling the graduate to:

1. Execute a vision for security aligned with a company’s IT strategy 
2. Communicate short- and long-term organizational security strategies and policies
3. Design an organization’s infrastructure
4. Securely manage an organization’s infrastructure
5. Implement security risk management strategies
6. Conduct active and passive network monitoring
7. Analyze the cybersecurity needs of an organization
8. Develop the appropriate safeguards to ensure delivery of critical services
9. Implement the appropriate safeguards to ensure delivery of critical services
10. Create organizational policies and procedures for security incidents
11. Implement policies and procedures for security incidents
12. Utilize forensics software and tools to detect incidents
13. Execute offensive and defensive technologies to protect a network infrastructure
14. Perform continuous network monitoring to provide real-time security solutions
15. Interpret security reports to educate the organization about existing and emerging security risks

Graduates will be positioned to pursue industry certifications such as Cisco certifications, EC-Council certifications and certifications offered by the SANs institute.
 
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Graduates of the program will be able to fill roles in industry such as:

• Cyber Security Expert (Defensive)
• IT Security Specialist
• Security Operations Specialist
• Penetration Tester
• Cyber Security Specialist
• Cybersecurity-Security Architect
• Cybersecurity Analyst
• Information Security Advisor
• Cloud Security Analyst

 
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Admittance to the applied degree program will be based on competitive entry and applicants will be required to provide certified criminal record checks or equivalent documentation.
 
Eligibility for direct admission to Year-3 of the Bachelor of Applied Information Technology: Systems and Network Cybersecurity program requires the applicant to meet the following academic criteria:
 
Completion of the College of the North Atlantic’s Computer Systems and Networking (CSN) Diploma or the Computing Systems Engineering (CSE) Diploma or equivalent program provided they:
 
1.         Have graduated within the last five (5) academic years from date of application
or:
2.         Have graduated previous to the last five (5) academic years and have recent related and verifiable experience in the industry
 
Graduation from a recognized College or University with a diploma or degree in the area of Information Technology with a concentration in operating systems, networking and infrastructure may also be considered for advanced standing.  A combination of other post-secondary and industry experience acceptable to the college as an entrance requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
 

Competitive Admissions Process - Year 3 Bachelor of Applied Information Technology: Systems and Network Cybersecurity
Notes: - If applying directly from pre-requisite program answer 1 through 4 - If applying through an approved Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) application answer 1,2,5,6,7
Criteria		Points
1.	A resident of Newfoundland and Labrador	1
2.	Previously applied to the program (<5 years)	1
3.	Academic average (%) in year 1 of prerequisite programs
60 – 64.9		1
65 – 69.9		2
70 – 74.9		3
75 – 79.9		4
80 – 84.9		5
85 – 89.9		6
90 – 94.9		7
95 – 100		8
4.	Academic average (%) in year 2 fall semester and year 2 winter semester of prerequisite programs combined
60 – 64.9		1
65 – 69.9		2
70 – 74.9		3
75 – 79.9		4
80 – 84.9		5
85 – 89.9		6
90 – 94.9		7
95 – 100		8
5.	If accepted through the PLAR process, academic average (%) overall of the Information Technology program previously completed
60 – 64.9		1
65 – 69.9		2
70 – 74.9		3
75 – 79.9		4
80 – 84.9		5
85 – 89.9		6
90 – 94.9		7
95 – 100		8
6.	If accepted through the PLAR process, points for each documented and confirmed work experience in Information Technology
One to two years		2
Three to four years		3
Five to six years		4
Seven years or more		5
7.	If accepted through the PLAR process, points awarded based upon the PLAR suitability interview (maximum 3)	3
Total		18