JUSTICE INSTITUTE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Cybersecurity programs win international gold award

A suite of cybersecurity micro-credential programs developed by the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) has been recognized with a gold Award of Excellence from the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP).

JIBC was presented with the award in the Cyber and Data Security and Social Engineering category  at WFCP's 2023 World Congress held in Montreal. Co-winners in this category were from Abu Dhabi Polytechnic and Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

From left, Denise Amyot, President of Colleges and Institutes Canada, JIBC President and CEO Michel Tarko, Melanie Meyers, Program Director, JIBC's Centre for Teaching, Learning & Innovation, Stuart Ruttan, Dean of JIBC's School of Criminal Justice & Security, and Dr. Jefferson Manhães de Azevedo, Deputy Chair Americas for the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP), after JIBC was presented with the gold Award of Excellence at the WFCP 2023 World Congress held in Montréal.

"We are pleased to celebrate the development of these micro-credentials which greatly improves accessibility to education that will help protect people, both in their personal and professional capacities, against cybercrime," said Dr. Stuart Ruttan, JIBC's Dean of the School of Criminal Justice & Security.

"The need for cybersecurity is ever prevalent and constantly growing and we are proud to play a role in supporting it. Our low-barrier micro-credential programs help to expand the general skills and competencies of the public in this field and we greatly appreciate the WFCP's recognition of our work."

The set of three micro-credentials, launched late last year, are Basics of Defending Against Cybercrime, Essentials of Investigating Cybercrime, and Malware Detection & Protection Basics.

JIBC created these programs in response to students, including those already established in careers, who want approaches to learning that don't require commitments to the longer programs typical in academia. They are offered part-time and entirely online asynchronously so students can learn at their own pace. The programs are very short, and more affordable than longer programs. All are designed for open enrollment and do not require a degree as a pre-requisite.

The programs are designed for both a general audience wanting a basic understanding of cybersecurity, and those looking to enter the fields of cybersecurity and public safety. Completion of these micro-credentials can be put towards more advanced credentials in related areas of study at JIBC, either law enforcement studies or emergency management.