CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Cybersecurity programs at Conestoga ranked among best in Canada

Conestoga's cybersecurity programs were ranked second in Canada for 2025.

CourseCompare gave Conestoga a top spot for the best cybersecurity certification programs out of 15 colleges and universities for preparing future IT professionals with classroom learning reflecting the latest trends backed by hands-on experience. 

Conestoga's "cybersecurity program is developed to address the most pressing challenges in the field, helping students develop the expertise needed to prevent cyber threats and safeguard critical systems. With an emphasis on practical training, Conestoga connects students directly to the demands of today's tech-driven workforce," wrote CourseCompare, Canada's marketplace for education preparing people for the future of work by connecting them to top-rated courses and training programs across the country.

What sets Conestoga apart, CourseCompare noted, is a program that "integrates input from industry professionals to ensure its curriculum aligns with the latest trends in cybersecurity. Students gain hands-on experience through interactive coursework and a capstone project that emphasizes solving real-world cybersecurity challenges. Graduates are prepared for careers in roles such as penetration tester, security analyst, and forensic investigator."

The demand for IT professionals with cybersecurity expertise continues to grow in Canada with a projected 150,000 job openings from now through 2031, CourseCompare said.  

Jim Edwards, dean of the School of Applied Computer Science & Information Technology (ACSIT), said the school is very proud of the diverse offerings in cybersecurity education, which includes credentials in Information Technology Network Security, Computer Application Security, Cybersecurity Response Planning, Financial Technology and Blockchain Application Development.  

"As an experiential learning environment, ACSIT students at Conestoga have access to advanced technologies in our classrooms and labs. Through hands-on experience with equipment from leading cybersecurity vendors such as Palo Alto, Juniper, Cisco and others, our learners are ready to take on myriad industry challenges in cybersecurity," Edwards said.

"The school continues our dedication to the critical industry area of cybersecurity and are near completion of a new dedicated lab and classroom."