Regular readers of TechTalent.ca already know that two of the most in-demand tech skills today are cybersecurity and AI.
With regard to cybersecurity, the trend of Canada needing more professionals continues to be an issue, especially as Canadian brands continue to suffer from cyber assaults.
To wit: IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report highlighted this week that Canadian organizations face an average cost of more than $6 million per data breach.
The report strongly suggests that artificial intelligence is a critical component to a company’s armour against potential attacks.
“Canadian organizations that invest in AI and automation will be better equipped to detect and recover from breaches, reducing the significant costs associated with these events,” says Daina Proctor, IBM Canada Security Service Line Delivery Leader.
It’s just on of myriad areas where AI skills are also hotly demanded.
In response to the nationwide talent void, global cybersecurity firm Check Point last year announced the expansion of its SecureAcademy Program in Canada to provide students with essential cybersecurity skills, learning resources, and hands-on training exercises.
Operating across universities and colleges, including the British Columbia Institute of Technology, Willis College, and the University of Calgary, Check Point’s SecureAcademy delivers a curriculum that encompasses topics such as threat prevention, network security, cloud security, mobile security, and security management
Other organizations helping to fuel the cybersecurity talent pipeline in Canada include BC-born Lighthouse Labs, which runs the Cybersecurity Bootcamp Program since 2021, as well as universities like uOttawa and international giants such as Google.
