Every day in the news there are stories of hackers finding their way into and disrupting corporate systems. Cyber security is one of the fastest-growing fields in the IT sector. Alexandra Acevedo Arteche says this is one of the reasons she sought out a diploma program that could provide her with a solid foundation in network security, namely the one delivered through Professional, Applied and Continuing Education (PACE) at The University of Winnipeg.

“I was working as a security professional in my home city (Bogotá, Colombia), and I wanted a course of study that would complement my experience,” says Alexandra.

She researched a number of Canadian programs online, but was attracted to PACE’s Network Security Diploma because it was condensed, and allowed her to earn a Management Certificate at the same time. The Network Security Diploma is a joint programming initiative between UWinnipeg and the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT) that includes exposure to CISCO systems. She also feels that Winnipeg offers immigrants more opportunities, such as a one-year employment permit, which allowed her to gain Canadian work experience.

Alexandra began working for Great-West Life in January 2017 as an Information Security Event Monitoring Centre Analyst. “I am learning many things from mentors here and there are ongoing opportunities for training. I am happy.”