Cybersecurity is defined as “the protection of digital information and the infrastructure on which it resides.” However, despite the internet and connected computing being around for over two decades, cybersecurity remains an emerging and evolving field of work. As such, the work has not been well defined in occupational terms and cybersecurity work is often conflated with other organizational roles. Accordingly, this National Occupational Standard (NOS) defines primary cybersecurity work as distinct from other occupations in information technology, security, business management, or public administration.​

Occupational standards describe the standards of competent and safe behaviour within a specific scope of work. This NOS supports a variety of functions for cybersecurity practitioners, employers, educators and other workforce development stakeholders such as government, professional associations, sector councils, employment centers, etc. In the case of cybersecurity, it serves another purpose. Cybersecurity is a relatively new and emerging field of work where various work roles have been conflated within the domain. Accordingly, the NOS defines primary cybersecurity work as distinct from other occupations in information technology, security, business management, or public administration.​

TECHNATION thanks the Cybersecurity Talent Alliance (CTA) and the numerous experts in industry and academia who contributed to the construction of the Cybersecurity National Occupational Standard. In addition, TECHNATION thanks the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Initiatives Program who funded the development of this document.​

The Digital Governance Council (DGC) is the current custodian of the National Occupational Standard for the Cybersecurity Workforce.  To learn more or download a copy of the First Edition of CAN/DGSI 112:2023, National Occupational Standard for the Cybersecurity Workforce please visit National Occupational Standard for Cybersecurity (dgc-cgn.org).