BECOME A
NETWORK
SECURITY
SPECIALIST

Network Security Specialist

I WANT ANSWERS!

Overview

New Announcement! CAT Partners with BCIT to offer Degree Pathway Programs

Virtually every system, database, social network, email network, and Internet server is run through information systems that are stored digitally. The problem with digital information is that it’s bendable, breakable, hackable, and open to theft, and because of this, the need for security professionals is expected to continue to increase exponentially. If you are a tech-minded person who loves computers, networks, and problem solving, come and apply your talents to train for one of the fastest growing professions in one of our industry-driven Network Security training programs in Kelowna, and Surrey, BC.

Interested in figuring out which Network Security program is right for you? Introduce yourself to us through our online inquiry form so we can put you in touch with one of our program advisors!

NETWORK SECURITY TRAINING: CERTIFICATIONS

Our Network Security programs address multiple certification options for students upon graduation, including: Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS), Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) on Server Admin, Enterprise Admin, and Messaging, CCNA, Network+, Security+, Linux+, LPI, CEH, and CPT.

 

NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR SPECIALIST CERTIFICATE

This short program allows you to start your career as a Network Security Administrator in just 12 months. It covers the foundations of network security such as hardware and networking, system administration, desktop support, network infrastructure, network systems, system automation, computing and network Architecture.  Should you choose, this program is transferrable into our more advanced Network Security Specialist program.

Centre for Arts and Technology provides vouchers to Network Security Administrator students for the MCTS, MCITP on Server Admin, and MCITP on Enterprise Admin certifications.

NETWORK SECURITY SPECIALIST PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA

The first 12 months of our 18 month Network Security Specialist program is comprised of our Network Security Administrator Certificate program, followed by advanced network security training including perimeter security, operating systems, data communications and networks, computer forensics, encryption, and hands-on network exploits, vulnerabilities, and penetration testing.

Centre for Arts and Technology provides vouchers to Network Security Administrator students for the MCTS, MCITP on Server Admin, MCITP on Enterprise Admin, and CCNA certifications.

CAREERS IN NETWORK SECURITY

Study for a career as a:

  • LAN Manager
  • Network Administrator
  • Network Engineer
  • Network Analyst
  • Computer and Network Operator
  • User Support Analyst
  • Mail Administrator
  • System Analyst
  • Information Systems Security Professional
  • Systems Operations Analyst
  • LAN Technician
  • Hardware Installation Coordinator
  • Network Security Architect
  • Computer Forensic Investigator

 * Notice * – This program requires students to have a laptop. Please inquire with a Program Advisor for complete details.

Campuses

Kelowna, Surrey

Program Length

18 months

Application Deadline

September 6th

Course Flow

  • Semester A
  • Semester B
  • Semester C
  • Semester D
  • Semester E
  • Semester F

Quarter A focuses on introducing students to the Microsoft platform for network administration.  Students will be challenged to set up domain-based environments aimed at small businesses while building a foundation in automated administration using Windows PowerShell.  This quarter will also cover Microsoft Active Directory, aimed at expanding student knowledge to network administration for larger business enterprises.  Courses vary between lectures, discussions, and hand-on practical application in a virtual environment.

Courses Include: Desktop Support Administration; Network Scripting Essentials; Active Directory and Network Infrastructure Administration; Application Infrastructure and Enterprise Administration

Quarter B focuses on introducing the students to the concepts of wireless technologies and security.  Student will learn wireless technologies and implementation, leaving them with the foundations for CWNA certification.  In project-based learning, students will explore LANs, WANs, and VLANs in the context of a typical commercial enterprise, constructed with Cisco IOS-based equipment.  Added into the mix is an understanding of common languages, best practice, and design decisions for CompTIA Security + certification.  Courses vary between lectures, discussions, and hand-on practical application in a virtual environment.

Courses Include: Networking with Cisco Technologies; Wireless Technology Networks; Computing Security Architecture

Quarter C starts with an introduction to Linux, including usage and operation.  Upon this foundation, students will progress into an intermediate understanding of Linux, covering DNS, mail servers, DHCP, FTP, NFS and NIS.  It is at this intermediate level that students will be challenged to use Linux scripting in their networks.  In addition to Linux content, student will learn the basics of IT project management methodologies and application.  Courses vary between lectures, discussions, and hand-on practical application in a virtual environment.

Courses Include: Linux Operating Systems; IT Project Management; Data Communication and Networks

Quarter D will focus on communications systems.  Students will learn how to set-up and configure Microsoft Exchange, while also learning Active Directory and basic network infrastructure.  Simultaneously, students will be introduced to the concepts of hardware virtualization, and challenged to design, implement, and maintain a full virtualization environment using OpenStack.   To complete their new skills, students will learn the foundations of the IT Information Library and its framework and methodology for IT/business integration.  Courses vary between lectures, discussions, and hand-on practical application in a virtual environment.

Courses Include: Virtualization and Cloud Computing; ITIL Foundations; Enterprise Messaging and Collaboration Services

This quarter starts to focus on issues of network security, building foundational knowledge.  Students will pursue advanced level Linux administration techniques, as well as integration between differing platforms.  Student will delve into recent versions of server software, including Apache, Samba, and MySQL.  This quarter also focuses on network monitoring and optimization, using industry standard tools.  An introduction to computer forensics is also made, discovering the rules of engagement, intrusion management, and privacy. Courses vary between lectures, discussions, and hand-on practical application in a virtual environment.

Courses Include: Advanced Network Systems; Computer Forensics for the First Responder; Network Optimized Monitoring

The final quarter of the program is the culmination of everything the students have learned.  Students learn about encryption technology, including a conceptual knowledge of cryptographic algorithms, authentication, non-repudiation, and access control.  Students are also introduced to the concepts of ethical hacking, including malicious software, security attacks, OS vulnerabilities and network protection.  The quarter culminates in a capstone project, the scope of which challenges students to use their accumulated knowledge on a large-scale hypothetical industry standard project.

Courses Include: Encryption, Public Key Infrastructure Architecture and Administration; Hands-on Network Exploits, Vulnerabilities and Penetration Testing; Industry Capstone Project

Faculty

JOHN VU | PROGRAM MANAGER – SURREY CAMPUS

John Vu is a passionate and experienced IT professional who has built his international career through positions with German, US, and Canadian based companies. He is a solution-driven technical leader with years of success transforming IT infrastructures, processes, and integrating new technologies to improve efficiency, productivity, and cost savings. Throughout his career, he has been involved with IT infrastructure from start-ups to top Fortunes 500 companies . His experience covers a variety of domains including telecommunication, IT networks and infrastructure, Cloud computing, systems hardware and software, and Network Security

With his broad experience in technology along with the dedication to projects, John has helped many companies deliver excellent value to their customers, internal as well as external. John thrives on creating new solutions with the basics, and thinking out of the box.

A few of his hobbies are soccer, tennis, hiking, music, photography and volunteering.

FRED BROWN | INSTRUCTOR

Fred has been working with and around computers since the mid-1960s. His first computer was a vacuum-tube based National Elliott 405 with a whopping 2048 bytes of main memory and a 128KB disk drive. It took up an entire classroom and only ran for a few hours at a time before needing to be serviced. It was learning about and programming this computer that was the start to his long career in information technology. He is a hacker of old, having modified the operating system of Digital Equipment’s PDP-10 to allow for batch scripts to be run interactively – a novel concept for its time. He was hired by Digital Equipment to further enhance that capability and stayed with them for 25 years until their demise.

Fred co-authored a paper on the “Portability of a Large Algol Program” while in undergraduate studies for his degree in Computer Science. He is a graduate of the University of Hertfordshire with a BSc. in Computer Science from 1972.

In his 50 years of computing, Fred has seen the rise and fall of many IT technologies. He has focused on Microsoft server systems since the days of Windows NT 3.1 and Exchange 4.0. In recent years, he’s been involved with cyber security, including privileged account management and public key infrastructure.

When he’s not working at his main hobby – computers – he also enjoys gardening, reading and listening to music.

IAN MCLAUGHLIN | INSTRUCTOR

Ian’s interest in electronics led to him building his first computer from scratch in 1979. His hobby of bulletin board systems and ARPAnet led to an opportunity in 1994 to open the first independent dial-up ISP in the BC Interior by forming Okanagan Internet Junction. He sold the business after expanding to serving 14 communities in three provinces, and transitioned to providing co-location and data centre services for Canadian businesses.

He is currently a partner in Provision Data Systems, providing data centre, co-location, ISP, fiber, wireless, and consulting services to Kelowna and Western Canada.

His hobbies include amateur radio, and collecting and restoring antique computers.

SHANE WATSON | INSTRUCTOR

Shane has been in the IT industry going on 2 decades.  Shane’s focus is Project Management.  Shane is the individual that gets called in when projects fall off track.  He has years of experience in how to bring projects back into deadlines and completion dates.  His experience with managing projects has given him insight on how to dig through the confusion of projects and help facilitate all members to achieve the end goal.

Shane enjoys mentoring the next generation of IT members and help them become the next leaders in IT.

BILL XU | SURREY INSTRUCTOR

Bill Xu is a doctoral research fellow at Simon Fraser University, Department of Computer Science. He received his MCP,MCSA, and CCNA designations in 2014 ,and started the IEEE research fellow in 2016. He received Bachelor’s Degree in English from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, China in 2010, and Bachelor of Technology in computer systems from BCIT in 2014. He received Master of Science in computer science from Simon Fraser University, in 2016. His research interests include Internet-of-Things, big data and deep learning. He enjoys the process of bridging the gap between theory and practice, and of bringing theoretical results to practical implementations.

Graduate Success

Nada Almessery

"Centre for Arts and Technology is the one place where you will actually get one-on-one time with your instructors, It's the only place where everyone is there to help make this the best experience possible. If I were to go back in time, I would totally do it all over again. CAT is one big happy family and it was a pleasure to be a part of it!" - Nada Almessery