graduate certificate in network security

Graduate Certificate in Network Security

Application Fall 2024 Portal Information

  • November 1, 2023:  Application start
  • March 26, 2024:  Deadline for International applicants
  • May 1, 2024:  Deadline for Canadian/Permanent Residents

Lunch and Learn

Join our next Lunch and Learn to hear more about our professional programs in the rapidly evolving fields of Quantum Computing, Data Science and Analytics and Information Security. 

Our one hour session will cover all three of our professional programs and a complimentary lunch will be provided. Faculty members will also be on hand to meet prospective students and answer questions.

Please stay tuned for details about our next Lunch and Learn


Optimize your career with a Graduate Certificate in Network Security

Cybersecurity threats are a critical issue facing our digital infrastructure. The Graduate Certificate in Network Security will provide you with an opportunity to acquire state-of-the-art expertise in this important, high-demand area.

This program is designed to provide specific, relevant training in creating and maintaining secure computer networks to both professionals looking to upgrade their skills, and to recent graduates of an undergraduate program in computer science who want additional training to progress in their careers. This certificate will also benefit computer science professionals who wish to move into a role more oriented to network security.

By the end of the program, you will:

  • Gain foundational knowledge in network security and applied cryptography.
  • Build an organization’s network security infrastructure, and conduct penetration testing to identify potential vulnerabilities in an organization’s network infrastructure.
  • Recognize the limitations of technical security measures, and strategize and evaluate ways to address gaps, including non-technical solutions such as deployment of policies and programs.
  • Communicate system design and security assessment results to a technical audience who may not be security experts.
  • Decide on courses of action based on relevant legal and ethical considerations.

Certificate Courses

Students enrolled in the Network Security Certificate will complete all “required” courses, ISEC 601, 603 and 621, and ONE OF 4 “optional” courses, either ISEC 641, 643, 645, or 651 depending on their preference, for 4 courses or 12 credits total.

The basics of cryptographic algorithms and protocols including encryption and authentication algorithms and key establishment protocols. Security evaluation in computational and information theoretic settings, and attacks on cryptographic applications and systems.

Review of cryptographic algorithms and protocols used in network security. Network security protocols. Network security architecture. Web and Internet security. Wireless security. Approaches and tools for network intrusion detection and prevention. Traffic analysis and privacy enhancing systems. Applications of artificial intelligence and data analytics. Network system virtualization.

Offensive security, including technical and social methods. Legal and ethical frameworks as well as best practices. Automation and tool use, and defensive techniques.

Information security strategy and its alignment with business goals. Business cases for information security investment. Legal and regulatory requirements. Roles and responsibilities in information security management. Security risk assessment and management.

Development of security policies. Policy compliance and enforcement. Policy considerations for social engineering and insider attacks. Information security standards. Security awareness and training programs. Privacy policies and compliance. Privacy Impact Assessment.

Design and implementation of process for identifying, analyzing and responding to information security incidents. Computer forensics. Organization and management of the incident response and forensics team. Tools and best practices.

Advanced topics in information security and privacy.

NOTE:

Once you have initiated your application, be sure to choose " Network Security - Certificate " from the list of programs offered.

To be considered for admission to the certificate program in data science and analytics, you must meet the requirements outlined in the Academic Calendar.

In case of discrepancies between this page and the Academic Calendar, the Academic Calendar shall prevail. The minimum requirements are the same for all three credentials in the Information Security and Privacy graduate program, as such we recommend that students apply to the highest credential they are interested in.

Tuition information can be found here.

The expected completion time for full-time for the graduate certificates is 8 months, the maximum time allowed is three years.