Addressing the Cybersecurity Talent Shortage

The global cybersecurity industry faces an acute talent shortage, with about 157,000 cybersecurity professionals in Canada needed to fill the shortage.[1] As cyber threats grow more sophisticated and expensive, with IBM reporting an average cost of $7 million per data breach for a Canadian company[2], organizations are struggling to find qualified professionals equipped with theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Recognizing this critical gap, ENFOCOM Cyber (ENFOCOM) and the Department of Computer Science collaboratively address the challenge through a combination of foundational knowledge acquisition and hands-on training.

On one side of this partnership is ENFOCOM's state-of-the-art Cyber Range, an advanced simulation and emulation environment designed to replicate real-world IT environments and cybersecurity scenarios. This immersive platform allows students to develop and refine their hands-on cybersecurity skills by launching and defending against cyberattacks, preparing them for the complexities of the modern threat landscape. 

On the other side of the partnership, the Department of Computer Science offers the Master of Information Security and Privacy (MISP) professional graduate degree. The MISP program provides students with foundational cybersecurity knowledge and incorporates hands-on labs and exercises powered by ENFOCOM’s Cyber Range. As such, students gain foundational knowledge from top-of-their-field experts and engage in practical exercises that mirror real-life cyber challenges.

By combining cutting-edge teaching and learning technology with academic rigour, ENFOCOM and the Department of Computer Science are taking significant steps to prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, helping to close the talent gap and safeguard the digital world.