With the number of global cyber-attacks on the rise, the industry demand for professionals in cybersecurity and threat intelligence has never been higher.
"We’re approaching a cyber security talent shortage of 2 million people worldwide in the next 3 to 5 years. Every cyber-security provider can contribute, and when we’re joined by respected education institutions like the University of Guelph, our combined effort makes the world safer."
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Program Information
The Master of Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence (MCTI) is a unique, cutting-edge program that offers professionals the potential for a demanding and exciting career in cybersecurity, cyber threat intelligence and digital forensics within the Canadian or global landscape. Graduates of this master's program become leaders in security analysis and design, threat intelligence, Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM), intrusion prevention, malware analysis, penetration testing, cryptography engineering and digital forensics.
Video Transcript [3]
The Master of Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence (MCTI) is a course-based program that offers students full-time and part-time options.
Our Full-time program can be completed within one-year (3 semesters, or 12 months). Students will complete six core courses and a culminating, independent project wherein students produce an evidence-based solution to a complex security problem in partnership with an industry partner or academic expert. Alternatively, students can complete six core courses, and two elective cybersecurity courses (in place of the project), for a total of eight courses.
Our Part-time program is designed for busy working professionals who wish to continue working while completing their MCTI degree. The part-time MCTI can be completed between 24 to 36 months. Part-time MCTI students may be required to take classes during business hours (Monday to Friday, between 9am to 5am). Requirements of the part-time MCTI program include the completion of six core courses and two elective cybersecurity courses, for a total of eight courses.
Availability is required to attend in-person classes during business hours, after-hours, weekends and off-campus. Use of personal laptop is also required, as per the MCTI Program Laptop Specifications. [4]
Complete course descriptions can be found in the Graduate Calendar. [5]
This program offers the following course structure to MCTI students:
- CIS*6510 [0.50] Cybersecurity and Defense in Depth
- CIS*6520 [0.50] Advanced Digital Forensics and Incident Response
- CIS*6530 [0.50] Cyber Threat Intelligence and Adversarial Risk Analysis
- CIS*6540 [0.50] Advanced Penetration Testing and Exploit Development
- CIS*6550 [0.50] Privacy, Compliance, and Human Aspects of Cybersecurity
- CIS*6570 [0.50] Advanced Cryptography and Cryptanalysis
- CIS*6580 [0.50] Security Monitoring and Cyber Threat Hunting
- CIS*6590 [0.50] Professional Seminar in Cybersecurity
- CIS*6670 [0.50] Special Topics in Cybersecurity
Subject Areas
- malware and forensic analysis
- cyber physical systems security
- cryptography and blockchains
- privacy
- usable security
- mobile security
Application Deadlines
Available spaces in the MCTI program fill-up quickly, so it is in your best interest to submit your application and all required documentation early. Full-time and part-time admission to the MCTI program is available in the Fall and Winter semesters only. Our application deadline dates for each semester are as follows:*.
Applications for Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 Open!
Fall 2023:
- International students: April 1, 2023
-
Domestic students: July 1, 2023
Winter 2024:
-
International students: August 1, 2023
- Domestic students: October 1, 2023
*We encourage International applicants to apply a minimum of 6-9 months in advance of this deadline to ensure study permits can be processed in time for admission. Please see the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (OGPS) Recommendations for International Applicants [6] for suggested application timeline.
Please ensure you have all required application documentation submitted by the specified deadline, or your application will be considered incomplete.
How to Apply
Please apply online at Applying to Guelph [1]. We will process applications after we receive proof of payment of the application fee and all required documentation. Please note, we will not be able to pre-evaluate any documents or any applications, and must receive all the required documentation before your application can be examined.
For more information and requirements, please visit the MCTI Graduate Calendar [5], or download our Program Brochure. [7]
Please note, we will not be able to pre-evaluate any documents, and must receive all the required documentation before your application can be evaluated. If you need further assistance, please contact our Graduate Program Assistant [8].
We offer online sessions to help you learn about the program and answer frequently asked questions.
- March 2023 Info Session: TBA
- Applicants require a four-year honours degree in computer science or computer engineering, or another discipline with a minor in computer science or computer engineering (applicants with proven skills and working experience in cybersecurity may be considered).
- A minimum average of 75% (B) during the last four semesters of full-time study for an accredited undergraduate university degree is required.
- Relevant experience or background knowledge of Data Communication and Networking and Computer Programming
- A valid English proficiency test [9] is required for applicants whose first language is not English (English Waivers will NOT be accepted).
Availability is required to attend in-person classes during business hours, after-hours, weekends and off-campus. Use of personal laptop is also required, as per the MCTI Program Laptop Specifications. [4]
The curriculum for the MCTI program is unique in its core focus on highly desirable and diverse security skills including threat intelligence using artificial intelligence techniques, Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM), intrusion prevention, malware analysis, penetration testing, and computer forensics, and in its integration of experiential lab-based learning.
The innovative curriculum is complemented with experiential learning opportunities developed in support of this proposed program will prepare students for fulfilling and challenging careers in the security field. To keep the curriculum relevant to the industry needs, a Cybersecurity Advisory Committee, consisting of partners from the industry has been formed. These industry partners have also agreed to serve as long-term advisors to the program and they will be responsible for providing feedback on curriculum and other potential areas of program improvement.
In addition to coursework, full-time students will have the option to complete a project with an industry partner that should advance knowledge or practice, and address an emerging challenge in security and privacy.
CIS*6560 [1.00] Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence Project
The proposed program is made possible through in-kind investments of upwards of $2 million by industry partners McAfee Canada, Cisco Systems, IBM, BlackBerry, eSentire, and Kaspersky Lab. The experiential learning will leverage open-source and proprietary security software from our industry partners including Cisco Systems, IBM, Kaspersky Lab and McAfee. The experiential learning will take place in in a new state-of-the-art cybersecurity teaching lab, the Security Operations Centre, which will enable students to work with real and simulated security attacks independently and collaboratively.
Ali Dehghantanha, Faculty and Director, Master of Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence Program
Charlie Obimbo, Faculty, Master of Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence Program
Hassan Khan, Faculty, Master of Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence Program
Rozita Dara, Faculty, Master of Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence Program
Xiaodong Lin, Faculty, Master of Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence Program
The Master of Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence program was launched in Fall 2019. Full-time tuition is approximately $7,000/semester for domestic students and approximately $14,000/semester for international students. Part-time tuition is approximately $2500/semester for domestic students and approximately $9333/semester for international students. For more information on the fee structure for full-time and part-time tuition, please visit Guelph Graduate Fees [21]. [22]
ISA Cybersecurity Inc. Scholarships in Cybersecurity [I5991]
Selection will be based on academic achievement in semester one (fall semester) for registered MCTI students. Not tenable with other awards offered in the Master of Cyber Security and Threat Intelligence program. Preference will be given to award one award to a female student and one award to a male student. Application is not required.
Read Full Description of Award I5991 [23]
Georgian Scholarship in Cybersecurity [I5993]
Selection will be based on academic achievement in semester one (fall semester) for registered MCTI students. Not tenable with other awards offered in the Master of Cyber Security and Threat Intelligence program. Preference will be given to a female student. Application is not required.
Read Full Description of Award I5993 [24]
eSentire Scholarship in Cybersecurity [I5994]
Selection will be based on academic achievement in semester one (fall semester) for registered MCTI students. Not tenable with other awards offered in the Master of Cyber Security and Threat Intelligence program. Preference will be given to a female student. Application is not required.
Read Full Description of Award I5994 [25]
Co-operators Scholarships in Cybersecurity [I6002]
Selection will be based on academic achievement in semester one (fall semester) for registered MCTI students. Not tenable with other awards offered in the Master of Cyber Security and Threat Intelligence program. Preference will be given to award one award to a female student and one award to a male student. Application is not required.
Read Full Description of Award I6002 [26]
Longview Systems Scholarship in Cybersecurity [I6010]
Selection will be based on academic achievement in semester one (fall semester) for registered MCTI students. Not tenable with other awards offered in the Master of Cyber Security and Threat Intelligence program. Application is not required.
Read Full Description of Award I6010 [27]
Bruce Power Scholarship in Cybersecurity [I6056]
Selection will be based on a combination of high academic achievement and research potential in semester one (fall semester) for registered MCTI students. Not tenable with other awards offered in the Master of Cyber Security and Threat Intelligence program. Preference will be given to an Indigenous student and/or student that identifies as female. Application is not required.
Read Full Description of Award I6050 [28]
Canadian Tire Scholarship in Cybersecurity [I6030]
Selection will be based on academic achievement in semester one (fall semester) for registered MCTI students. Not tenable with other awards offered in the Master of Cyber Security and Threat Intelligence program. Application is not required.
Anderson Ferneyhough
LinkedIn [30]
Samira Eisaloo
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Adesola Anidu
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Aaruni Upadhyay
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Curtis Collins
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Dilip Sahoo
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Alex Chen
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Zibekieni Obuzor
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Prabhat Semwal
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Kassidy Marsh
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Nidhip Chikhalia
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Yash Dhawan
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MCTI Virtual Information Session - Join us to learn about this exciting program and have your questions answer by our Program Director, Dr. Ali Dehghantanha
Date: TBA
Industry Partners
The Master of Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence program is made possible through in-kind contributions from industry partners: Trellix, Cisco Systems, Blackberry, IBM, Microsoft, BMO, EY, Magnet Forensics, ISA Cybersecurity, the Co-operators, Georgian, eSentire, Longview Systems, RCMP, Toronto Police, Arctic Wolf, Government of Canada, PwC, Stratjem, Canadian Tire, Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange, Mandiant, Wealth Simple, Bruce Power, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, EQ Bank and Intact Insurance. These funds have supported the creation of a new cybersecurity teaching lab and the University of Guelph Security Operations Centre, which enable rich experiential learning activities that set this program apart from similar programs in Canada.
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