Securing the future through further education
Taking computer security course online at night was a great help to young father and worker
ASTRID VAN DEN BROEK With a full-time job as a manager of the enterprise information security office at Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) and a young family at home, Lyndon Dubeau must have wondered whether taking on a continuing education certificate would be one pull too many on his very limited time.
But 35-year-old Dubeau knows professional development is an important part of his career trajectory in information security.
This is why he’s currently taking Ryerson University’s computer security and digital forensics certificate course online.
“This kind of learning demonstrates at work that you’re staying current,” says Dubeau.
“Keeping up to date with self-study comes with the territory of technology. However it’s one thing to tell your manager you’ve done the self-study, but quite another to tell him you did a course such as this and passed it.”
It’s not Dubeau’s first time pursuing continuing education — he completed a master’s of science in information security through the University of London six years after graduating from the business program at Nippissing University in 2000.
He hopes his current course will not only improves his knowledge in the field of information security, but also help him meet the goals and objectives set out for him in his role at work. CCO relies on research and analytics involving highly confidential personal health informa- tion, and so keeping up to date in security developments is critical. “So focusing on a specific area — in this case, digital forensics — complements my existing knowledge and skills.”
After completing his masters five years ago, Dubeau hadn’t intended to continue his education, but when an employee showed him the Ryerson program, Dubeau’s interest was piqued.
“This digital forensics course (a specialized technical area of information security) not only had a good delivery model, allowing me to continue working and balance my family and life, but it was a good opportunity and good value for money in terms of getting specialized training,” he says.
It helped he was already comfortable with the model of online learning; Dubeau did his master’s program and now this certificate program online.
“To be honest, there is no way I could have taken this course if it weren’t delivered online with the flexibility to put in the time late at night,” he says.
Having an equally accommodating employer is also key.
“If you’re in a role where your employer expects you to put in time after hours, you’d have to make sure they understand the time you’re putting in after hours is being spent on a course,” he adds.
Dubeau, who says he’s about threequarters of the way through his Ryerson certificate, estimates he spends about half an hour per night doing course work. That workload will increase to about an hour a night and more time on the weekends as the courses come to an end and final projects are due.
Dubeau feels the addition of the Ryerson course fleshes out his resume and would consider similar certificate programs down the road. Especially given the heat his industry is experiencing.
In a recent review of careers with budding futures, Money Magazine noted that computer security is one of the fastest growing job markets in North America.
The magazine estimates it will grow at a rate of 27 per cent over the next 10 years.
“Even though, through my master’s, I have an educational background in information security, this course is more focused and more hands-on, adding value to my career,” says Dubeau.
“In a nutshell, really this course is helping me and my staff better defend CCO.”