Cybersecurity Specialists
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Job description
These individuals anticipate and respond to cybersecurity threats. Their goal is to secure computer databases and hardware. They are self-employed or work for:
- Companies in the public and private sectors
- The federal and provincial governments
- Consulting firms
- Universities
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
Main tasks
- Predict and assess the risks related to the security of data, software, and hardware.
- Analyze cybersecurity needs.
- Establish data and network security procedures.
- Provide continuous monitoring of data and network integrity.
- Respond to cyberattack incidents and attempts.
- Develop solutions that can adapt to changing cybersecurity practices.
- Develop policies, procedures, and contingency plans to minimize the effects of an IT security breach.
- Advise IT managers within companies.
Hourly wage
The hourly wage is calculated by averaging wages from 2022 to 2024.- Minimum
- $30.00
- Median
- $48.08
- Maximum
- $71.43
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects
All of Québec
All of Québec
Total jobs for 2023
All of Québec
All of Québec
Gender distribution
All of Québec
- 16.7% Female
- 83.3% Male
- 16.7% Female
- 83.3% Male
Job types
All of Québec
- Full time
- Part time
- Full time
- Part time
Yearly wage on 2020
All of Québec
All of Québec
Other characteristics
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
Sectors of activity
All of Québec
-
NAICS 541530% of jobs
-
NAICS 9117% of jobs
-
NAICS 521, 522, 523, 52612% of jobs
-
NAICS 519% of jobs
-
NAICS 225% of jobs
-
Others27% of jobs
All of Québec
-
NAICS 541530% of jobs
-
NAICS 9117% of jobs
-
NAICS 521, 522, 523, 52612% of jobs
-
NAICS 519% of jobs
-
NAICS 225% of jobs
-
Others27% of jobs
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
College
DCS in computer Science Technology
Placement rate: 61.5%
32.4% of graduates pursue further studies
University
Electrical, electronic or communications engineering
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 81.4%
14.1% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 72.3%
18.5% of graduates pursue further studies
- École de technologie supérieure
- École polytechnique de Montréal
- Concordia University
- Université de Sherbrooke
- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
- Université du Québec en Outaouais
- Université du Québec à Montréal
- Université du Québec à Rimouski
- Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
- Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
- Université Laval
- McGill University
- Institut national de recherche scientifique
Management information
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 92.3%
3.8% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 86.7%
13.3% of graduates pursue further studies
Software, computer or computer construction engineering
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 82.1%
16.3% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 83.9%
12.9% of graduates pursue further studies
Sometimes required
- Experience in computer programming may be required.
- Relevant certifications in the field, such as the GIAC Certified Incident Handler Certification (GCIH), considered assets.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Information processing
- Solving complex problems
- Programing
- Active learning
- Data collection
- Critical thought
- System analysis
- Reading comprehension
- Quality control analysis
- Mathematics
- Learning strategies
- Active listening
- Systems evaluation
- Oral expression
- Judgment and decision-making
- Technological design
- Time management
- Teaching
- Written expression
- Operation analysis
- Coordination
- Result evaluation
Abilities
- Written comprehension
- Awareness of issues
- Deductive reasoning
- Inductive reasoning
- Information organization
- Mathematical reasoning
- Verbal skills
- Near vision
- Written expression
- Oral comprehension
- Idea generation
- Information processing speed
- Selective attention
- Basic numeracy
- Speech clarity
- Classification
- Perception speed
- Processing flexibility
- Speech recognition
- Originality
Knowledge and attributes
- Capacity to work under pressure
- Critical thinking
- Perseverance
- Capacity to adapt
- Spoken and written bilingualism (French and English)
- Capacity to be discrete
- Knowledge of computer science, digital and electronics
- Respect standards and regulations
- Desire to upgrade one’s competencies
- Sense of observation
Interests
- Draft, communicate, and inform
- Watch, defend, and secure
- Work in an office
- Create, design
- Work in computer science or information and communication technologies (ICT)
- Self-employment
- Assist and advise
- Conduct tests and trials, control processes
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
- Social
- People with this profile prefer to be in contact with others, in particular to entertain, help or teach them.
- Enterprising
- People with this profile prefer having responsibilities, influencing others and responding to challenges.
Official name of the NOC 21220
Cybersecurity specialists
Job titles
Skill type
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
Last update: January 29, 2026