MITT Launches Key Industry Training Partnerships in Cyber Security

Originally posted: November 25, 2020

MITT Launches Key Industry Training Partnerships in Cyber Security

According to 2017 data released from Statistics Canada, one in five Canadian businesses report being impacted by cyber attacks. To safeguard corporate information and privacy, the demand for cyber security professionals is growing by about seven per cent per year.  A study by ICTC reveals that by 2023, Canada will see a demand of approximately 40,000 to 53,000 cyber security practitioners. 

To address this demand Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT) has entered a partnership with EC-Council, an industry recognized global information security certification body, to launch short-term training, microcredentials, and certification for in-demand skills in cyber security.  Through MITT’s Cyber Security Centre of Excellence, individual or business learners can develop skills in specializations such as ethical hacking, penetration testing and security operations analyst.

“The Province is pleased to see its investment spur new collaboration opportunities between industry and education,” says Hon. Ralph Eichler, Minister of Economic Development and Training. “Cyber security is a high-demand sector so swift training and upskilling of professionals who can safeguard businesses and individuals from cyber attacks is crucial.” 

These new offerings will give them the tools they need to either start or advance their careers in the cyber security sector. 

“Along with our partners, we’re building MITT’s Cyber Security Centre of Excellence to be a national-scale solution to the cyber security talent shortage across the country; one that will both train top-tier cyber security workers as well as help fortify the security of our economy through future applied research activity,” remarked Ray Karasevich, MITT President and CEO. 

MITT’s Centre is driven by industry collaboration. Partnering with EC-Council will help ensure it provides learners – and by extension, employers – in-demand cyber security training that is broad in scope and flexible in delivery. Through this collaboration, which will launch in early 2021, MITT will deliver extensive online workshops and seminars in addition to its core certificate and diploma programs in Cyber Defence, Cloud, and related fields.

Heather MacLean, Executive Director (Country Manager) at EC-Council (Canada) emphasized, “Our rapidly changing world - one that is increasingly leveraging the internet for entertainment, education, banking, and the running of our economy - requires people to have the latest education and certifications in cybersecurity,” said Heather MacLean, Executive Director, EC-Council Canada. “This partnership with MITT, will position the organization, its students, and Manitoba, in a leading position.”

MITT is adopting a train-the-trainer model, recruiting high-calibre cyber security professionals from within industry to complement its core instructional teams on campus.  This will ensure learners are trained in the most up-to-date skills they need to contribute in Canada’s high-demand cyber security sector. To achieve this, MITT is partnering with Hilltop Partner Network, a collaborative of seasoned consultants and specialist consultancies providing business and management consulting services.  

Renée Riglin, President, Hilltop Partner Network said, “Hilltop Partner Network is excited to be partnered with MITT and the Cyber Security Centre of Excellence.  The industry skills shortage puts business at risk and the lack of accessible and practical training limits opportunity for those seeking to join and advance in the security industry.  Hilltop looks forward to helping solve these challenges by fostering the connection between MITT and our network of seasoned and highly skilled practitioners, in order to deliver the high value training, backed up by extensive, real world experience.” 

Kathy Knight, Executive Director of the Centre commented, “Cyber security is one of the fastest growing industries in the world; so too are cyber attacks, which are up 330 per cent globally since January 2020. We need to develop our talent pipeline to create a strong frontline defence for the nearly three-quarters of Canadian businesses that, when asked, said cyber security was core to their COVID-19 recovery strategies. MITT is actively addressing this issue through strategic partnerships like the ones announced today.”

Applications for the winter 2021 intake are now being accepted for:

Certified Secure Computer User

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/certified-secure-computer-user-tickets-129590957041

Certified Incident Handler

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/certified-incident-handler-tickets-130428427939

Security Operations Centre (SOC) Analyst

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/security-operations-centre-soc-analyst-tickets-130436161069

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply now, as places are limited.

About the Cyber Security Centre of Excellence

MITT is creating Western Canada’s leading technical training centre for cyber security professionals. Alongside leading industry partners, the Cyber Security Centre of Excellence will provide 24/7, globally accessible training that includes interception and resolution of complex cyber threats within a virtual environment that replicates real-world scenarios. Launching in Fall of 2022, the Centre will provide accreditation to Canadians and Canadian companies in cyber security through training, education, applied research and innovation.   

About Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT)

MITT is a post-secondary institute offering industry-driven, student-focused education in the areas of skilled trades, business and information technology, health care, and human services. We provide affordable, timely, skills -based education for learners seeking career entry as well as those looking to acquire relevant, in-demand competencies at any point in life. For more information, visit Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, handle: @MITTcanada.

About EC-Council

EC-Council’s sole purpose is to build and refine the cybersecurity professional globally. We help individuals, organizations, educators, and governments address global workforce problems through the development and curation of world-class cyber security education programs and their corresponding certifications and provide cyber security services to some of the largest businesses globally. Trusted by 7 of the Fortune 10, 47 of the Fortune 100, the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, NATO, and over 2000 of the best Universities, Colleges, and Training Companies, our programs have proliferated through over 140 countries and have set the bar in cyber security education. Best known for the Certified Ethical Hacker program, we are dedicated to equipping over 230,000 information age soldiers with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to fight and win against the black hat adversaries.

The EC-Council is an ANSI 17024 accredited organization and have earned recognition by the US DoD under Directive 8140/8570, in the U.K. by the GCHQ, and a variety of other authoritative bodies that influence the entire profession. Founded in 2001, EC-Council employs over 400 people worldwide with 10 global offices in the USA, Canada, U.K., Malaysia, Singapore, India, and Indonesia. Learn more at www.eccouncil.org.

About Hilltop Partner Network

The Hilltop Partner Network is a collaborative of seasoned consultants and specialist consultancies providing connector and business development services to build value for our members and their customers. Our members provide premium, full-service management consulting, focused on enabling customers to achieve their objectives and improve their performance through effective strategy, innovation, information technology and security solutions as well as business and digital transformation. The Hilltop Partner Network offers the comprehensive capabilities and deep industry knowledge necessary to help customers solve the most complex issues in their organizations. Find out more at www.hilltoppn.com and LinkedIn.

For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Nicole Harris                                                        

Maverick Media Solutions                                                                         
E: nharris@maverick-media.ca                                                      
O:  204 470 4555         

Kathy Knight                                                     

MITT - Acting Associate Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Initiatives

Executive Director, Cyber Security Centre of Excellence 

E: kathy.knight@mitt.ca                                                                                                            
O:  204 771 2675