Program Overview

Without the proper protection, our networks are vulnerable to black-hat hackers, identity thieves and spammers. There aren't many people who have the skills and education needed to ward off the enemies lurking behind computer screens, ready to thwart firewalls, infiltrate networks and corrupt servers. If you’ve been thinking of a career protecting the systems that run our networks and economy, the Network and Security Architecture one-year post-grad co-op program will prepare you for this in-demand field.

Program Details

Program Code
NSA1
Credential:
Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Duration
30 weeks
Start Dates
Locations
Availability

Full Time Offerings

2025 January
London
Open
2025 September
London
Open
2026 January
London
Open
2024 September
London
Closed

Part Time Offerings

2025 January
Fully Online
Open
2025 September
Fully Online
Open
2025 September
Fully Online
Open
2026 January
Fully Online
Open
2026 May
Fully Online
Open
2024 September
Fully Online
Closed
Start Dates
Locations
Availability

Full Time Offerings

2025 January
London
Open
2025 September
London
Open
2026 January
London
Open
2024 September
London
Closed

Your Learning Experience

  • Learn key aspects of designing, deploying, supporting and securing small, medium and enterprise network and server infrastructures
  • Specialize in advanced networking and security concepts to work in any situation and that meet today’s security challenges
  • Gain the high-level skill set to fill the void of qualified individuals in this field of IT and put you on the fast track to a highly in-demand career
  • Benefit from Fanshawe’s existing relationships with Cisco, Microsoft, Redhat, VMware and many other vendors with specialized knowledge in everything from firewalls to server infrastructure
  • Graduate ready to work as a security analyst, security systems analyst, security architect or security systems engineer

 

A part-time, online version of this program is available

 

Co-op Opportunities & Career Information ​​​​​​

Co-op Opportunities

The Network and Security Architecture program offers a cooperative education component, which provides students with the opportunity to gain invaluable first-hand work experience within their chosen field. Here are some co-op jobs that have kick-started the careers of some Network and Security Architecture students before even graduating! 

  • Information Technology Specialist - creates, installs and upgrades servers and programs supporting software development
  • Cybersecurity Analyst - a highly motivated individual who is passionate about technology and cybersecurity
  • IT Support Technician - provides on-site software support, identifying system improvements, installing and configuring systems

For more information regarding co-op, please check out our co-op page or contact the Co-op Office at coop@fanshawec.ca to connect with a consultant.

Career Information

Graduates of Fanshawe’s Network and Security Architecture program have the education and high-level skills needed to protect the systems that run our networks and economy. Job titles for graduates may include:

  • network security consultant
  • network security operations analyst/manager
  • network penetration specialist
  • security analyst
  • security systems analyst
  • security architect
  • security systems engineer
  • Cybersecurity consultant

 

Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduate employment rates among large colleges in Ontario? 

Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Network and Security Architecture program:

Network Security Architect

An expert in information security with extensive experience in secure system design and engineering.

Security Architect

Analyze software designs/implementations and resolve software security issues.

Information Security

Lead a team responsible for setting strategic and tactical direction to protect an organization’s information.

 

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Design an enterprise network by applying knowledge of networking and routing protocols.

2. Perform network monitoring, analysis and troubleshooting to determine efficient and secure operations.

3. Develop a security architecture plan to incorporate both perimeter and endpoint security controls and devices to provide layers of security.

4. Design multi-site enterprise operating system infrastructures using a security architecture framework.

5. Design a centrally managed wireless network topology that can accommodate remote sites incorporating current security standards.

6. Design and implement a virtualization and cloud computing focused infrastructure specifically addressing security risks associated with incorporating virtualization into an organizations infrastructure.

7. Deploy servers to host web applications, focusing on securing the server and web from identified security risks.

8. Identify and plan IT services that support business goals and objectives, and explain specific activities directly related to the delivery and support of the services.

 

Program Coordinator:

Stuart Budden

Admission Requirements

A Two- or Three-Year College Diploma, or a Degree in a computing related field
OR
Professional background and experience as judged by the College to be equivalent to the above
International Admission Equivalencies
Admission equivalencies for Fanshawe depends on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country below.
English Language Requirements

English Language Requirements

Test Score
TOEFL iBT 88
IELTS Academic Overall score of 6.5 with no score less than 6.0 in any of the four bands
CAEL Overall score of 70 with no score less than 60 in any of the four bands
PTE Academic 59
Cambridge English Overall score of 176 with no language skill less than 169
ESL4/GAP5 Minimum grade of 80% in Level 9, 75% in Level 10
Duolingo Overall score of 120, with no score lower than 105

 

Learn More about English Language Requirements

Recommended Academic Preparation

Recommended Academic Preparation

Previous business or information technology post-secondary education and/or training and/or work experience.
Recommended Personal Preparation

Recommended Personal Preparation

In addition to academic and work experiences, it is highly recommended that potential students familiarize themselves with information security trends and new reports, in order to strengthen their understanding of the importance of the Information Security role in organizations
Applicant Selection Criteria

Applicant Selection Criteria

Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:
  1. Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
  2. Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date, Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the program is full)
  3. Achievement in the Admission Requirements
Post-Admission Requirements

Post-Admission Requirements

Connect laptop information

Courses

Level 1
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
SRTY-6002Securing Networks4
This course will study the theory and procedures required to secure a network from the edge inward. This will provide the students with the skillset to enhance network security to meet consistently changing requirements.
INFO-6080Securing Servers4
In this course, students will learn how to harden servers, implement encryption, manage identities and secure network traffic at the OS level on a large scale. This course will explore in depth other features such as Identity Manager, Certificate Authority, Advanced Threat Detection, Log Analysis, Policies, and File Services.
SRTY-6003Securing the Edge 14
This course will study the theory and procedures required to secure the edge of a network from potential internal and external threats. The course will provide the students with the skillset to configure and enhance network security to meet consistently changing requirements.
INFO-6070Network Management3
In today's technology driven environment end users just want to get work done and networking is an integral part of that effort. This course focuses on managing networks and the network protocols that enable them to function and how they are used to transmit data between senders and receivers.
INFO-6076Web Security4
This course will delve into the current scripting and computer languages used by modern web clients and servers, with a focus on the programming methodologies used to prevent exploitation of web security vulnerabilities.
ACAD-6002Graduate Success Strategies1
This course presents and helps to develop some of the skills required to achieve academic and career success for graduate students. Areas of focus include college resources, study skills, and time management among other skills. The importance of Academic Integrity will be a main focus.
COOP-1020Co-operative Education Employment Prep1
This workshop will provide an overview of the Co-operative Education consultants and students' roles and responsibilities as well as the Co-operative Education Policy. It will provide students with employment preparatory skills specifically related to co-operative education work assignments and will prepare students for their work term.
View all courses

Tuition Summary

London

Canadian Costs
$4,024.40
Total Cost of Program
International Costs
$16,505.86
Total Cost of Program

*Total program costs are approximate, subject to change and do not include the health and dental plan fee, bus pass fee or program general expenses.

 

Contact/Questions