Herzing Blog

Updated December 2025

Almost everyone is familiar with the idea of cybersecurity. Many of us have had our emails or social media accounts hacked or lost personal information in corporate data breaches. 

Over the last few years, we’ve seen some major companies fall prey to cyber attacks, including Twitter, T-Mobile, Genworth Financial, and 23andMe.   

How is it possible that even these organizations can't stay ahead of the hackers? It all comes down to talent.

We simply don’t have enough qualified people. There is a huge demand for cybersecurity specialists in Canada and across the globe.  

Interested in IT security? This is the ideal time to start a career in this field. Here’s what you should know about cybersecurity jobs, training, skills, and salaries.

It seems like every month brings a new high-profile cybersecurity breach. Many companies simply don’t have enough trained cybersecurity professionals to set up effective monitoring, prevention, and incident response protocols.

Sergio Gonzalez designed the 12-month cybersecurity program at Herzing College to produce grads who can meet those challenges. He has more than 20 years of IT experience and knows what it takes to thrive in today’s workforce.

We spoke to Sergio recently to learn more about the program, the online format, and what students can expect in his class. Here’s what he had to say.

Nothing in Ayodele Daini’s background had prepared him for a career in information technology. On the contrary, he’d spent years working in the fields of agronomy and property management. But he’d always been interested in tech, and when he moved to Canada he decided to make that his new career path.

That led him to enrol in the online cybersecurity program from Herzing College. After an intense year of study, he graduated in April 2023 and quickly landed an IT security job with a major Crown corporation.

We spoke to Ayodele to get his thoughts on the training and his overall career journey. Here are the highlights of that conversation.

Cybersecurity continues to be a top concern for companies all over the world. Tech research and consulting firm Gartner estimates that global spending on information security controls and risk management products and services will total more than $188 billion in 2023—an 11 per cent increase over 2022.

So, given the growth in this field, what can you expect in the year ahead?

Updated December 2025

Keeping information systems secure is a big challenge for many businesses, especially as the threats continue to grow.

In CyberEdge’s latest Cyberthreat Defense Report, more than 80 per cent of Canadian IT security pros surveyed reported their companies had suffered at least one successful ransomware attack in 2024.

So how can you keep your organization from becoming another unfortunate statistic? What can you do to prevent a security breach in your workplace?

This post will help you understand the nature of security breaches: what they are, how they happen, and what steps you can take to prevent them. Keep reading to learn more about common threats as well as IT security best practices for employees.

Updated December 2025

The demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals is expected to continue for years. But is a university degree necessary to get started in cybersecurity?

The short answer is no. Many job postings do call for a degree, but that doesn't necessarily mean you can't land those roles without one.

In many cases, employers are more interested in what you can do rather than what credentials you hold. It's more about proving your skills on the job rather than in the classroom.

Exactly what skills do you need and what are employers looking for? Here's what you need to know.

Updated December 2025

The Government of Canada Job Bank forecasts steady employment prospects for cybersecurity specialists in most areas of the country through 2028. And these are high-paying roles, with a median salary of more than $103K.

So you're smart to be thinking about getting into this field. But if you're completely new to IT, it can be challenging to choose the ideal training program (especially if you want to avoid a four-year university degree).  What course should you choose?

In this post, we outline the top traits of a quality cybersecurity diploma. A diploma is a good alternative for people seeking comprehensive training that is much shorter than a degree.

Here's what to look for in a good cybersecurity diploma for beginners.

Updated December 2025

Cybersecurity focuses on protecting information systems and electronic devices against malicious digital attacks.

If you’ve ever had your email or social media accounts hacked, you’ve seen what happens when cybersecurity measures fall short.

And attacks on major companies are constantly in the news. Facebook, LinkedIn, Yahoo, and Uber are just a few of the big names that have had their systems compromised in recent years.

So you’re probably aware that cybersecurity is a hot field. But before you make it the focus of your career, you need some more information.

In this post, we explain exactly what the cybersecurity field involves, what job options it offers, and how you can get started in the industry.

Here are the facts you need.

Image: Fortinet presentation on the risks of IoT devices at the RSA cybersecurity conference 

If you follow the world of cybersecurity, you've probably heard of Fortinet. In just over 20 years, they have become the largest cybersecurity company in the world.

Fortinet dominates the industry with over 800 patents, 50 hardware and software products, and billions in yearly revenue.

Fortinet provides integrated cyber solutions for all kinds of organizations, from hospitality and health care, to financial services companies and governments.

But did you know that Fortinet is also a cybersecurity training provider? They partner with educational institutions across the globe, helping schools deliver cutting-edge training.

Most importantly, they provide globally-recognized cybersecurity certifications that help newcomers prove their expertise, learn how to use Fortinet products, and advance their careers.

So, we're very pleased to announce that Herzing College is now a Fortinet Academy partner.

This week, we interviewed Al Nasturzio, Director of Training and Education Partners at Fortinet, to get all the details on how this partnership will benefit our IT and cybersecurity students.

Updated December 2025

On any given day, there are thousands of unfilled cybersecurity jobs across Canada. Hoping to break into the industry? One way to begin is by earning globally recognized cybersecurity certifications.

Certifications can make a big difference for beginners. In a survey by ESG and ISSA, 42 percent of cybersecurity pros said certifications were just as important as hands-on experience when it came to finding a job.

But there are so many options at so many skill levels. Which ones are best if you're just starting out?

In this post, we take you through 5 of the best cybersecurity certifications for beginners plus tips on how to prepare for exams.

Let's dive in.