Security Operations Analyst Program
This program is currently on pause. Please check back for updates. Want to be the first to know when applications reopen? Click below to be notified of updates.
15-week Program
August 05, 2025
Microsoft Security Operations Analyst Certificate
SUPPORTED BY
everything you need to
Train for the Future of Tech - Starting Now
A tuition-free program for individuals with a background in IT or cybersecurity, looking to build specialized skills and move into mid-level roles.
The Security Operations Analyst Program is tuition-free* for individuals with a background in IT or cybersecurity, looking to build specialized skills and move into mid-level roles*. The Security Operations Analyst (SOA) Program is a 15-week, full-time program that provides hands-on training in cybersecurity tools and principles, while preparing participants for a broad range of careers in IT. Participants gain the skills needed to monitor, detect, and respond to threats across cloud-based systems and earn the industry-recognized Microsoft Security Operations Analyst (SC-200) certification.
While the curriculum is focused on security operations, many graduates go on to secure roles in mid-level IT positions, including system administration, network operations, and technical support in addition to cybersecurity-specific jobs.
*There is never a fee associated with applying to or joining any NPower Canada program. NPower Canada, and our staff will not ask for payment details at any time, before, during, or after the program. Our programs are always provided for free, thanks to our generous funders.
This is a competitive, intermediate program that requires prior education and experience in the IT field. Please see the Program Eligibility details below to ensure you are qualified. If you’re not sure whether this is the right fit, our admissions team will assess your application and recommend a suitable program based on your background.
The SOA program is available in English and tailored for residents of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Ontario.
Throughout the program, participants will acquire an extensive range of technical and project management skills, enabling them to:
- Reduce organizational risk by rapidly remediating active attacks in the environment, advising on improvements to threat protection practices, and referring violations of organizational policies to appropriate stakeholders.
- Performing triage, incident response, vulnerability management, threat hunting, and cyber threat intelligence analysis.
- Monitor, identify, investigate, and respond to threats in multi-cloud environments by using Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Microsoft 365 Defender, and third-party security solutions.
Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest information.
Graduates may pursue roles like:
- Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst
- Security Engineer Junior
- Incident response Analyst
- Information Security Officer
- Threat Intelligence Analyst
- Cybersecurity Specialist
- Security Administrator
- Security Operations Manager
What you'll learn:
- Security monitoring and incident response
- Security Operations Center tools and workflows
- Microsoft 365 and Azure security solutions
- Communication and Collaboration in IT Teams
- Project management fundamentals
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
We are committed to serving those who need us the most. Please click the Full Eligibility button to view additional eligibility criteria and see if you are eligible for our program:
- At least 18 years old
- Must hold a high school diploma or GED
- Must already possess basic computer skills and be comfortable working with a computer: typing, email, internet navigation.
- Mandatory Intermediate to Advanced English Level (minimum CLB level 7 examination score) for non-native English Speakers. Applicants may be required to take an English evaluation exam.
- Must be eligible to work full-time in Canada and maintain legal status (Citizen, Permanent Resident, Open Work Permit) with a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).
- Must have an annual household income below $105,000 and an annual individual income below $50,000.
- Must be facing unemployment, underemployment, or financial barriers to employment or post-secondary education.
- Cannot hold the Microsoft Security Operations Analyst Associate certification (SC-200), or the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect (SC-200) certification, or any equivalent certifications.
- Must have at least 1 year of prior internship or professional experience in Cybersecurity, Information Security, Networking, Computer Science, Computer Engineering.
- Must have a bachelor's degree or post-secondary diploma in a related field such as Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Networking, Computer Engineering or a similar discipline accepted by NPower Canada.
- Must have existing professional experience with networking tasks, technical support tasks, reading and interpreting scripts, cloud principles and networking concepts (protocols).
- Familiar with the Microsoft Azure Environment, Windows and Linux OS.
- Must be able to obtain security clearance and/or pass a background check.
Successful graduates will benefit from:
Personal and professional development
Career search support
Post-hire coaching and support
Corporate mentors and guest speakers
Learn from our graduates
What Participants Say About Us
We're here to help! If for any reason you are not admitted into this program, we can connect you to other great
programs and resources, that can lead to an exciting career in Tech.
