Cloud and Operational Technology Security (Gr. Cert.) (15 credits)
Offered by: Information Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Program credit weight: 15
Program Description
The Graduate Certificate in Cloud and Operational Technology Security is a 15-credit program covering advanced cybersecurity topics such as: applying best practices for securing cloud services and infrastructure; the principles of operational technology and control systems; identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in industrial operation technology environments; implementing security controls specific to operational technology (OT) and critical infrastructure; thread data analysis; developing actionable threat intelligence for proactive defence; threat modelling and analysis techniques to predict potential attacks; security testing for applications; developing applications with secure coding practices; executing effective incident response strategies; performing digital forensic analysis to investigate cyber incidents; and employing Artificial Intelligence and machine learning techniques for cybersecurity applications.
Required Courses (6 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INFS 676 | Cloud Security and Virtualization | 3 |
Cloud Security and Virtualization Terms offered: Fall 2026 Fundamental principles and advanced strategies for securing applications deployed on AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Topics include: identifying and accessing management, encryption methodologies, secure development practices, and the implementation of robust monitoring and incident response protocols. The expertise needed to effectively develop, configure, maintain, and monitor secure applications in diverse cloud environments. | ||
| INFS 677 | OT Security and Industrial Control Systems | 3 |
OT Security and Industrial Control Systems Terms offered: Winter 2027 The unique security challenges and best practices associated with operational technology (OT) and industrial control systems (ICS). Topics include: critical components of OT and ICS environments, such as SCADA systems, PLCs, and other industrial devices. Potential risks and vulnerabilities in these systems and develop strategies for securing them against cyber threats, methods for monitoring, detecting, and responding to incidents in OT/ICS environments, the integration of IT and OT security strategies within organizations. | ||
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
9 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INFS 674 | Advanced Threat Intelligence and Analysis | 3 |
Advanced Threat Intelligence and Analysis Terms offered: Winter 2027 Essential skills to combat the dynamic digital threat landscape. Topics include: malware analysis, cyber threat intelligence gathering, dark web investigations, proactive cyber threat hunting strategies, retro-hunting methodologies, cyber threat attribution, Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), vulnerability assessment, IoT security, and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools. | ||
| INFS 675 | Secure Application Development and Testing | 3 |
Secure Application Development and Testing Terms offered: Fall 2026 Secure coding practices, authentication and authorization. Resilient software architecture design, vulnerability assessment, security testing techniques for continuous integration, and secure deployment strategies. Identifying, addressing, and mitigating potential vulnerabilities. Improving resilience and integrity of applications in the face of evolving cyber risks. | ||
| INFS 678 | Incidence Response and Digital Forensics | 3 |
Incidence Response and Digital Forensics Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Critical aspects of incident response and digital forensics, including the identification, containment, eradication, and recovery from cybersecurity incidents. Effective incident response plans, digital forensic investigations, and forensic tools and techniques to analyze and preserve evidence. | ||
| INFS 685 | Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity 1 | 3 |
Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Exploration of the fusion of artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, offering insights into data science basics, interpretability, and ethical AI. Topics include: feature engineering, anomaly detection, ethical considerations and secure practices in cyber defence strategies. | ||
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Students may be encouraged to take INFS 685 Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity at the recommendation of the Graduate Program Director.