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At the IEC BC x ISACA Vancouver Cybersecurity Networking Event this week, newcomers, experienced professionals, and employers had the chance to connect meaningfully. Thank you to Immigrant Employment Council of BC, ISACA Vancouver Chapter and Vancouver Community College (VCC) for making this possible.
The speaker shared a clear breakdown of certification pathways in cybersecurity.
Foundational certifications include ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC).
Intermediate tracks include CISA, CCSP, and AWS Security.
Senior level designations include CISSP and CISM, which reflect broader responsibility across governance, architecture, and organizational risk.
The speaker also highlighted the challenges overseas trained professionals face in the Vancouver job market. Many arrive with strong technical backgrounds, yet still need to navigate local hiring expectations, credential recognition, and the persistent “Canadian experience” requirement. Hearing this acknowledged openly was valuable for many attendees.
Another insight from the talk focused on how companies are adopting AI inside their organizational structure. The risk is not only technical. For SMEs with fewer than 50 employees, restructuring teams too quickly around AI can create instability and unclear ownership.
One final note for anyone exploring cybersecurity.
The free ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) enrollment ends on May 20, 2026.
If you are considering a first step into the field, this is a good opportunity before the window closes.
About the Author
Jonathan Wong is an IT and AI consultant with 20+ years of experience leading engineering teams across Vancouver and Hong Kong. He specializes in modernizing legacy platforms, cloud security, and building AI-ready systems for startups and large enterprises while advising leadership on using strategic technology to drive business growth.
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