Cyberattacks are on the rise, in terms of frequency as well as in areas of “sophistication and maliciousness,” a report from KPMG found.
And Canada has it worse than many other nations.
Part of the problem is that the country is clinging to a nationwide cybersecurity dearth, with one in six roles sitting unfilled—to the tune of 25,000 total empty positions, which a report from CBRE gently labels a “sizeable supply-and-demand imbalance.”
The global cybersecurity industry is expected to grow to US$270 billion in 2026—up from $170B in 2020—according to data from CBRE’s “Cybersecurity: Global Talent Spotlight,” and this will require a “corresponding increase in hiring that will be difficult to achieve in this already hyper-competitive talent market.”
In essence, Canada’s supply of cybersecurity talent is growing, but “demand is increasing at an even faster pace,” the report concludes, describing the market as “extremely tight.”
A variety of organizations are tackling Canada’s shortage, from universities like uOttawa and bootcamps such as Lighthouse Labs to private organizations including Google and Check Point, whose SecureAcademy Program in Canada provides students with cybersecurity skills, learning resources, and hands-on training.
Among the efforts is one from the Information and Communications Technology Council, which has collaborated with Microsoft and post-secondary institutions to pilot an initiative slated to expand Canada’s cybersecurity talent pool.
Now in its second year, the “Cybersecurity Training and Work Integrated Learning Program” is targeting less likely candidates, such as female talent, for careers in the field.
“Cybersecurity plays a crucial role in protecting Canadians, and the field is rapidly growing,” says Minister Randy Boissonnault, functioning as Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages.
According to Boissonnault, “investing in projects like ICTC’s ‘Launching Your Tech Career’ improves the skills training and opportunities available, while pushing us to innovate and strengthen our workforce.”
Nami Anani, chief executive of ICTC, posits that “Canada’s cybersecurity resilience and talent shortages necessitate harnessing the full spectrum of Canada’s diverse and skilled workforce.”
“ICTC, in collaboration with Microsoft and leading post-secondary institutions, is delighted to unveil the continuation of our Cybersecurity Training and Work Integrated Program,” the CEO stated. “We are collectively shaping the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.”
“Microsoft is committed to growing access to digital skills to help people harness the power of AI and other breakthrough technologies to succeed in today’s rapidly changing workforce,” stated Lisa Everett of Microsoft Canada. ”Cybercrime poses a significant threat to organizations and individuals, and there is a shortage of trained and certified cybersecurity professionals to meet the growing demand.”
Alongside Microsoft in supporting ICTC’s program is DIGITAL, Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for digital technologies, which grows Canadian businesses through the development and deployment of local technologies.
“Demand for Canadian cybersecurity talent continues to increase with its growing importance,” says Sydney Goodfellow, who directs DIGITAL’s talent-focused Digital Learning Lab. “By collaborating with ICTC and Microsoft Canada on the Cybersecurity Training & Work Integrated Learning initiative, we are putting women and gender-diverse individuals on the path to these in-demand careers in the cyber industry.”
The program’s seven participating post-secondary institutions are as follows: the Toronto Metropolitan University, University of Calgary, British Columbia Institute of Technology, Dalhousie University, New Brunswick Community College, Red River College Polytech, and the University of New Brunswick.
Training includes seminars, mentorship, and a 16-week paid work-integrated learning placement in the cybersecurity sector.
For over 30 years, nonprofit ICTC has had a mission of strengthening Canada’s digital advantage in the global economy.
