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Computer Security Specialist, Computer Specialist, Cybersecurity Analyst / Specialist, Information Technology Specialist, IT Security Analyst, Security Analyst, Systems Analyst
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Systems security analysts research, plan, design, coordinate, implement, and support security measures for information systems. They:
Duties vary depending on the employer and the sensitivity of the data. In general, systems security analysts:
Systems security analysts must keep up to date with new developments. To do this, they:
Most systems security analysts work standard office hours. They work in offices equipped with advanced information technology.
They may have to work overtime, such as in the event of a security breach. They may need to be on call in case of emergencies or digital security alerts within their company.
They may experience high-stress situations in response to security breaches.
Analysts who work for consulting companies may have to travel.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Cybersecurity specialists
2023 OaSIS: 21220.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Systems security analysts need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 102 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jan 14, 2025 and Nov 19, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Design, develop and implement information systems business solutions | 80 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Conduct reviews to assess quality assurance practices, software products and information systems | 73 |
| Tasks: Provide advice on information systems strategy, policy, management and service delivery | 68 |
| Tasks: Confer with clients to identify and document requirements | 67 |
| Tasks: Develop and implement policies and procedures throughout the software development life cycle | 60 |
| Tasks: Document technical requirements to ensure that products, processes and solutions meet business requirements | 52 |
| Tasks: Develop policies, procedures and contingency plans to minimize the effects of security breaches | 49 |
| Tasks: Assess physical and technical security risks to data, software and hardware | 47 |
| Attention to detail | 46 |
| Tasks: Execute and document results of software application tests and information and telecommunication systems tests | 39 |
Most employers prefer to hire applicants who have a 4-year bachelor’s degree or a 2-year diploma in computer science or a related discipline. They also prefer applicants with several years’ experience and relevant certifications. A security background check normally is required.
Systems and security threats change often. Systems security analysts must upgrade their knowledge on an ongoing basis.
In Alberta, there are many degree, diploma, and certificate programs related to computer science. These are offered by numerous universities, colleges, technical institutes, and private vocational schools.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Many systems security analysts become certified in a security designation. These can include:
They may also become certified in many other security designations (vendor-specific and vendor-neutral). To learn more about education and certification see Other Sources of Information.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Information systems professionals investigate, analyze, design, develop, or manage information systems based on computer and related technologies. They do so objectively applying specialized knowledge and professional judgement.
Information Systems Professional is a protected title under Alberta’s Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act [pdf]. This means that to call yourself an Information Systems Professional or use the I.S.P. designation, you must be a registered member of the Canadian Information Processing Society of Alberta (CIPS Alberta).
You do not have to be registered if you do not call yourself an Information Systems Professional.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Information Systems Professional.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Systems security analysts work for organizations that have an online presence. They also work for consulting firms.
Many companies hire consulting firms to perform security functions. However, they still need in-house personnel to ensure consulting agreements work as intended. Most in-house positions have a strong internal compliance component. This is related to auditing and privacy compliance.
In general, advancement takes the form of more duties. The best and brightest systems security analysts may become “pen testers.” That is, they perform penetration tests (crack systems on purpose) to identify security flaws.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Information systems analysts and consultants
2016 NOC: 2171
79.9% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Salaries for systems security analysts vary depending on their education, experience, and the duties they perform.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $21.00 | $64.81 | $40.28 | $38.53 |
| Overall | $27.00 | $67.87 | $46.94 | $44.60 |
| Top | $27.50 | $75.35 | $51.30 | $47.60 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $94,202 |
|---|---|
| Public Administration | $95,506 |
Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) of Alberta website: cipsalberta.ca
EC-Council website: www.eccouncil.org
Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) website: www.ictc-ctic.ca
International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, Inc., (ISC)² website: www.isc2.org
International Systems Security Association (ISSA) website: www.issa.org
System Administration, Networking and Security Institute website: www.sans.org
Technology Alberta website: technologyalberta.com
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2022. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
