Can You Pursue a Career in Cyber Security Without a Degree?

Can You Pursue a Career in Cyber Security Without a Degree?

Dec 12, 2021 | BizTalk, Technology

Can You Pursue a Career in Cyber Security Without a Degree?

According to surveys and research, it is estimated that more than 38 billion devices around the world will be connected to the internet by 2025, hence jobs in the field of cyber security around the world have seen a huge spike. Canada’s tech industry has seen an everlasting boom and is set to grow even further.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most people are working remotely even in Canada and are relying on online services from medical assistance to shopping everyday essentials which makes people opting for cybersecurity as a career in Canada in ever greater demand.

Can You Have a Career in Cyber Security Without A Degree?

The short and crisp answer is no, you can not as a lot of job postings require a basic degree. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t land those roles without one.

Mostly these employers are far more interested in what you can do and how result-oriented are you rather than what credentials and degrees in cybersecurity you hold. It’s more about showcasing your skill set on the job rather than in the classroom. According to our experts at BizTalk we believe that some basic training or a cybersecurity certificate course in Canada is enough to launch yourself into a new career.

Why Is a Cyber Security Degree In Canada Optional?

Even way before the pandemic hit the world, the number of jobs in the field of cybersecurity was growing exponentially as there was a great demand for people who could analyze, detect and prevent data breaches. This high demand and scarce supply of IT security professionals have made degrees “optional” for many newcomers. 

According to a report from Deloitte, they estimated that the demand for cyber security jobs and cybersecurity professionals in Canada is growing by 7% annually. As per the data, the Canadian Occupational Projection System,  suggests that an average of 11,200 jobs for IT systems analysts and consultants will become available each year between 2021 and 2028.

career guide from the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security makes this point clear.”The shortage of cybersecurity professionals is so pronounced that organizations are retraining employees in basic cybersecurity skills on the job!”

Many employers have so many open positions that they are willing to accept candidates with basic cybersecurity training rather than full-fledged degrees. If you can prove you have the skills to do this work, and perhaps some industry certifications, you can easily get your foot in the door.

How Much Do a Cybersecurity Professional Make In Canada?

The huge demand and lack of available talent mean salaries in this field can also be quite high. On average, information security specialists in Canada make over $80,000, according to PayScale.

What Skills Do You Need To Get Hired In Cyber Security?

Anyone who wishes to start a career in cybersecurity needs to pertain to these certain basic technical skills.BizTalk reviewed a lot of current job postings for entry-level roles such as Security Analyst,  Network Administrator, and Junior Penetration Tester to find out what kinds of technical skills employers want.

Generally speaking, you should be comfortable with tasks like:

  1. Installing firewalls, access controls, anti-virus software, and other network security tools
  2. Monitoring system performance and security
  3. Researching cyber threats and attacks
  4. Reviewing security alerts, log files, and reports
  5. Carrying out data backup and disaster recovery procedures
  6. Creating and updating security documentation and training materials

How To Start Your Career In Cybersecurity In Canada?

BizTech College’s diploma in networking and cybersecurity will assist you in launching your career in Canada by preparing you to implement strategies to secure networks and minimize cyber threats. Deter and prevent cybercrime and manage networks.

Graduates will also learn to install, manage, operate, plan, troubleshoot and protect computer networks and cloud-based systems. Students with post-secondary accreditation in either IT or computer science can easily apply previous experience to mastering cybersecurity principles.

If you’re ready to launch an in-demand career, consider becoming a cyber security engineer. Our Networking and Cyber Security diploma program will put you on the right track to earning one of the many in-demand jobs available to IT professionals within a year. Special emphasis is given on industry certifications, which allows you to gain a competitive edge during placements. Contact our admissions desk if you wish to inquire more.

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