Cyber Careers within the Government of Canada
Cyber security professionals within the government of Canada play a critical role protecting our citizens, economy and democracy.
We are sharing information about this exciting career path, and highlighting career opportunities in the federal government.
- Career opportunities in cyber security
- Information Resources
- Testimonials from cyber security professionals
An exciting and in-demand career
- Due to a shortage of cyber security talent in Canada and worldwide, cyber security professionals are needed across government.
- Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada and Canadians have experienced an increase in cyber threats and ransomware attacks. There is an urgent need for cyber talent in all sectors.
- Nearly all Canadian federal government departments have a need for cyber security professionals.
- Effective cyber security teams are made up of a diverse workforce representing all of Canadian society.
- If you are interested in cyber security, but not don't have a technical background or education, there are options. There are many roles in organizations, including policy, research, data analysis, law enforcement and more that require critical thinking and apply the concepts of cyber security. However, if you wish to work in a more technical role, having a strong interest in technology will be a benefit.
What cyber security professionals do
Cyber security professionals protect systems and processes Canadians rely on from cyber and ransomware attacks. Protecting our banking, telecommunications, electricity, health, transportation, safety, food supply and more is critical for Canadians.
A career in cyber security
- You can make a difference in Canada and help people stay safe and secure.
- You will always be learning and developing new skills in this evolving field.
- Your skills will be in high demand across all sectors.
- You can earn a great salary.
- You get to solve puzzles and tackle complex challenges.
- Your skills will be highly transferable, enabling you to move anywhere in the world and to any industry.
Federal job opportunities in cyber security
Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)
A career in Cyber Operations with the CSIS provides you with a multitude of options. Whether involved in protecting CSIS' own systems, or catching cyber spies online, your contributions will ensure the safety of Canadians across the country and in Cyber Space! At CSIS you will continually be learning new skills, pushing boundaries, and working with the newest technologies.
Cyber security extends beyond the digital world, if you want a career that keeps you engaged and challenged in both worlds, then join us! Make a difference in keeping our country safe. You could be our next:
- IT Security Analyst
- IT Security Officer
- Network Exploitation Analyst
- Intelligence Officer
Apply now to become part of the CSIS team.
Communications Security Establishment (CSE)
Canadian networks and systems face cyber threats every day, and with the help of our very skilled and talented employees (like you), CSE works to prevent and eliminate cybercriminal activities, terrorist activities, and insider threats. Unique within Canada's security and intelligence community, the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) hires code-makers and codebreakers to provide the Government of Canada with information technology security (IT Security) and foreign signals intelligence (SIGINT) services.
As well as offering meaningful work that protects Canada and Canadians, and the chance to work with some of the most advanced technologies in the world, we offer
- Competitive wages and benefits, including a defined benefit pension plan
- Education programs to help employees complete a degree or professional accreditation
- Specialized in-house training programs
- Telework options, which enables you to work from anywhere in Canada
- Work-life balance with flexible hours and paid vacation starting at 15 working days annually, as well as additional personal paid days-off
Apply now to become part of the CSE team.
Public Safety Canada (PS)
Are you interested in making a difference while tackling the national and international security challenge of the century? If so, Public Safety Canada may be the place for you! We are looking for creative problem-solvers and forward-thinkers who can work in a fast-moving environment to help us:
- Identify trends and develop proactive national security solutions to emerging issues,
- Coordinate with federal partners and stakeholders on cyber security and cybercrime issues, and
- Collaborate with allies to shape the international cyber security environment.
Did you know Public Safety Canada has a program-centric cyber security team? They collaborate with the nation's cyber security departments and organizations to be better prepared to address the many challenges the country faces while operating in the cyber domain.
Like games? We develop and deliver exercises and simulations that explore Canada's response to cyber security threats. Have you ever wondered what technology secures our dams or electricity supply, or the systems that keep water flowing through our pipes? Public Safety works in close collaboration with our domestic and international partners responsible for Industrial Control Systems security by providing conferences, technical training, virtual awareness events, and we even have our own cyber range!
If you seek a challenge and have a desire to work with a diverse and dynamic team, we're looking for program managers and cyber security professionals to join our ranks. Make the change and make a difference today!
Apply now to become part of the PS team.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
Are you interested in protecting the safety of Canadians and reducing the impact and victimization of cybercrime? If so, a career with Canada's national police force might be for you. The RCMP has a wide range of positions in the field of cybercrime across the country for both civilians and police officers. This includes:
- Cyber investigative teams - Investigates crimes such as hacking, denial of service attacks, fraud, identity theft, extortion and more;
- National Cybercrime Coordination Unit (NC3) - Canada's first law enforcement coordination unit focused on tackling cybercrime. Comprised of both police officers and public service employees, the NC3 helps reduce the threat, victimization and impact of cybercrime in Canada through partnerships, innovation and intelligence;
- National Child Exploitation Crime Centre – Investigates and coordinates online child exploitation investigations on behalf of all Canadian police and works with international partners;
- IM/IT – Protects the RCMP's IM/IT infrastructure as well as national police crime systems and databases;
- Cybercrime Criminal Analyst/Investigator and Supervisor positions, as well as cybersecurity/cybercrime policy analysts.
There is no other police force in Canada that provides the levels of service and variety offered by the RCMP. With hundreds of police and civilian specializations, a career with the RCMP is full of opportunity for continued learning and growth. If you want to make a difference in your community and your country, explore what the RCMP has to offer.
Join the RCMP team and learn about civilian or policy careers.
Shared Services Canada (SSC)
Infrastructure Security Operations (ISO) is responsible for the operation and management of cyber security services for the Government of Canada's IT infrastructure within the mandate of SSC. ISO protects Government of Canada IT infrastructure services and data through a layered security model, that includes perimeter defence, intrusion prevention, access controls, detection, end point security, identity, credential and access management. Through collective commitment to excellence, technical knowledge, leadership, team work and collaboration with other Departments and Agencies, academia, industry and international partners, we provide world class infrastructure security services to the Government of Canada.
Key Areas of Opportunity Within Infrastructure Security Operations
Perimeter Security
- Perimeter security services (Firewall, Web Filtering)
- Secure Remote Access (SRA) and virtual private network (VPN)
- Intrusion detection and protection services
- Advanced Threat Detection and Protection
Cyber Security Event Management
- SSC Internal Cyber Security Incident Response
- Security Incident and Event Management
- Forensic and administrative investigations support
- Vulnerability Management Services
Identity, Credential and Access Management
- Directory Services
- Privileged and Access Management
- Multi-Factor Authentication, Key Management Center, Internal/External Credential Management
- Network Device Authentication
Secret Infrastructure and Mail Gateway Services
- Secret desktop and application services
- Information Exchange Gateway
- Secure Mail Gateway
- Application Whitelisting
Apply now to become part of the SSC team
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
As one of Canada’s largest employers in the information technology (IT) industry and one of the largest holders of personal and financial information in the Government of Canada, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is an outstanding place to build a career in cyber security.
Join our team to:
- contribute to tech solutions that protect critical systems and sensitive data
- work with professionals who embrace collaboration, respect, and integrity
- advance your career in technical, project management, and governance streams
- experience flexibility that fits your lifestyle
- do work that rewards natural curiosity and creative thinking
- enhance your skills in a workplace that prioritizes long-term learning
- thrive in a workplace that respects work-life balance, values your experience and skills, and places particular importance on the mental health and well-being of its employees
The CRA’s cyber security community delivers top-class system-integrity services, quality assurance, service management, and IT security services. Our technical specialists collaborate with security partners through strategic planning, leading edge development, innovations, interoperability, and management excellence. We are committed to designing, developing, and operationalizing a full IT security solution continuum.
For multiple years, the CRA has been named one of the top 100 employers in Canada. We invest in our people and believe in a culture of excellence. Our workforce is representative of the Canadians we serve and Canada’s linguistic duality. We prioritize an inclusive workplace that supports career advancement for all our employees.
Our inclusive workplace, based on character leadership and our people first philosophy, also supports effective people management and drives performance excellence and well-being in the workplace. By focusing on the workplace and our workforce, we give employees and managers the tools they need to be productive, innovative, flexible, and resilient. As well, we use strong people analytics to make sure our decisions are based on evidence and to support effective people management.
At the CRA, we are committed to protecting IT and strengthening cyber security defences. Our workforce is dedicated to building and maintaining the public’s trust, so cyber security is a top priority!
Apply now to become a member of the CRA team.
Student Internship Opportunities
The following federal departments and agencies offer student internships in cyber security:
- Communications Security Establishment (CSE)
- Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)
- Public Safety Canada (PS)
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
- General Link for all Government Jobs
For more information on 2021 student internship opportunities, check the Federal Student Work Exchange Program (FWEP)
Information Resources
The following resources will provide you with more information on available careers, where you can get training, as well as information on salaries, employment outlooks, job descriptions, and much more.
Career Resources
- Cyber Security Job Availability Heat Map: An interactive tool that lets you explore data on cyber security jobs across Canada, including salary information, experience levels and skills required.
- Cyber Security Job Descriptions
- Canadian Cyber Security Skills Framework
- National Occupational Standards
- Cyber Security Career Guide: Produced by the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), this guide provides information on the different types of careers in cyber security, who is hiring, where your career can take you, where to go to school, and the benefits of pursuing a career at Canada's National Cryptologic Agency.
Education Resources
- Cyber Security Education Portal: A list of cyber security training and education programs across Canada.
Testimonials from cyber security professionals
Have a look at what current cyber security professionals from across the federal government have to say about what they love most about their careers in cyber security and cyber crime:
"I manage a team of cyber security professionals in a specialized area of cyber security. Our work consists of special projects, unique programs, customer engagement, and of course, work in our technical lab. It's where the rubber hits the road with regards to cyber engagement, where the work is constantly challenging, but always rewarding! I go to work every day in a field that I love, with people who are passionate about the mission, and where the projects and programs on which I am involved with make a difference to the lives of not only Canadians, but to our allies and partners as well."
- Rob, Manager, Cyber Engagements, Critical Infrastructure, Public Safety Canada (PSC)
"My job focuses on investigating cyber threats to the security of Canada, such as cyber-espionage, cyber-sabotage, and cyber-foreign-influenced activities. When an organization or someone is attacked, I work to discover who did it and why they were targeted. It's no secret that cyber security is a male dominated field. I encourage women to choose cyber security as a career because too often, I am one of the few women at the decision table. It's time to change that! If you do, I guarantee you will embark on a fabulous learning journey. I enjoy working to understand new technologies, continually developing new skills, and seeing the impact of my work."
- Anonymous employee, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)
"I am a woman who loves working in cyber security. I love the fact that every day is a learning opportunity. The whole field changes constantly; it is a very exciting field for people who are curious and who like life-long learning. You do not need to come from a technology background to be fascinated by this work and the complex problem solving involved (I am an English major). I also like the fact that through my work I contribute to making the world we live in – in which technology and its safe and effective operation matters so fundamentally to almost every aspect of our lives – a better place."
- Anonymous employee, Government of Canada
"I enjoy leading a diverse team of military and civilian members who are passionate about providing Cyber Defence support to military operations and the Defence Team."
- Marilyne, Canadian Forces Network Operations Centre, Department of National Defence (DND) / Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)
"My work is meaningful and helps protect Canada. I love knowing that I'm making a positive contribution to Canada's future."
- Angela, Supervisor, Academic Outreach and Engagement, Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS)
"I work with various organizations to advance Canada's priorities in cyber security and cybercrime internationally. What I love about working in cyber security is that it is such a dynamic and challenging space. Governments, civil society and academia are working collaboratively to understand how to address a constantly evolving security environment."
- Nick, Senior Project Manager, Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
"I have gained amazing experiences working with IT professionals, whether they were part of our team, or by working in collaboration with public, private, domestic or international partners. Not coming from a computer background, I am always amazed by the innovative techniques being developed by our cyber professionals to bring our investigations to successful completion."
- Alexandre, Officer in Charge of National Division Cybercrime Investigative Team, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
"Working in Cyber Security at CSIS is very exciting – there are so many opportunities to grow and learn. One of the greatest things about working here is the opportunity to work with such dedicated people from diverse backgrounds. You truly feel as though the work you do every day is helping to protect our country and Canadians. "
- Anonymous employee, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)
"I enjoy that, as a cyber security professional, I can make use of my past experiences in Application Development, Quality Assurance and Data Management, all the while being challenged with constantly changing technical developments created by real world threats. My past experience has been pivotal in my role and allows me to view the Security Assessment and Authorization of applications from both a Cyber Security and Application development perspective."
- Doug, Cyber Security Professional, Transport Canada (TC)
"Cybercrime challenges me everyday due to its dynamic nature, and I have been able to leverage my background in both IT and national security to further understand the complexities in this field. I love collaborating with domestic and international agencies and developing partnerships; there is no limit to learning and no shortage of analytical work."
- Angela, Intelligence Analyst Supervisor, Federal Policing Criminal Operations- Cybercrime, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
"My career in cybersecurity has given me the opportunity to help move Canada forward as a digital nation, as well as letting me work with many great individuals from all across Canada. I always feel excited for each new project and challenge that comes my way working at TBS."
- Adam, Junior Analyst, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS)
"What I love most about my career in cyber security is that it's both spooky and exhilarating. Knowing that there are entities out there that are trying to take advantage of you in some way makes this career a little frightening. On the flip side, there is tremendous joy know that you're part of a group trying stop those entities from succeeding."
- Justin, Public Safety Canada (PSC)
"My career in international cyber policy focuses on supporting the existing framework for responsible State behaviour in cyberspace. My main efforts are through cyber diplomacy to promote international cooperation in preserving stability, as well as a free, open and secure cyberspace. Along with the diplomatic nature of working with other Foreign Ministries, what I love about my work is the motivation it provides to engage with and examine how the world works in cyberspace."
- Arthur, Policy Analyst, International Cyber Policy Division, Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
"As a cyber security professional, I focus on the strength, growth and the professional development of the Cyber Operator Trade. I ensure that Cyber Operators are provided training to acquire the skills necessary to work in the ever changing cyber realm. "
- Gail, Directorate of Cyber Operations Force Development, Department of National Defence (DND) / Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)
"I feel very fortunate to have spent 33 years of my career with the RCMP. I spent almost 25 years at the Canadian Police College responsible for the Technological Crime Learning Institute, which provides cybercrime training, computer forensics training, Internet child exploitation investigations training and open source intelligence gathering. Since April 2019, I have worked with the newly created RCMP National Cybercrime Coordination Unit (NC3). It's so exciting to work with the NC3 because we are developing a new program that will assist in coordinating and de-conflicting cyber investigations in Canada and I feel very privileged to be part of this initiative. Throughout my career, I had the opportunity to work with International colleagues and am continuously learning."
- France, National Cybercrime Coordination Unit, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
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