Cyber Catalyst @ Durham College

Applied Cybersecurity Learning in Collaboration with Durham College ORSIE

Flexible, hands-on pathways for Veterans, military-connected learners, and underserved communities

Cyber Catalyst is proud to highlight our collaboration with Durham College Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) in exploring innovative applied learning models that expand access to cybersecurity, secure networking, and industrial control systems learning opportunities.

This collaboration is centered on practical, workforce-aligned approaches that help learners build skills through hands-on environments, applied projects, and flexible delivery models designed for real life — especially for including learners in rural and remote communities, working adults, caregivers, and members of the Military-Veteran-Family community.

Why This Collaboration Matters

Canada needs more professionals who can step into operational cyber, secure networking, and critical infrastructure-related roles with confidence.

Many learners face barriers to access:

  • Distance from campus-based labs
  • Scheduling constraints
  • Work or caregiving responsibilities
  • Limited access to applied, hands-on practice

Through collaboration with Durham College ORSIE, Cyber Catalyst is advancing models that aim to make applied cybersecurity learning more accessible, more flexible, and more connected to real workforce outcomes.

Our Collaborator: Durham College ORSIE

The Durham College Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) connects industry and community partners with faculty and students to solve real-world challenges and support economic and social development through collaborative projects. That applied, innovation-oriented approach makes ORSIE a strong collaborator in the development of accessible cyber learning pathways.

On this webpage and in related communications, we want to clearly recognize Durham College ORSIE as Cyber Catalyst’s collaborator in these exploratory and emerging areas of applied learning, innovation, and workforce development. The Appendix also contemplates reciprocal recognition in communications and website presence.

Hands-on learning beyond the traditional campus

One of the key collaboration areas described in the Appendix is the CyberNet HomeLab: a portable, distributed learning environment designed to give learners access to hands-on, lab-based instruction outside of traditional campus facilities while maintaining instructional rigor and assessment integrity.

This model is intended to support learners in:

  • Cybersecurity
  • Secure networking
  • Industrial control systems / OT security contexts

Capabilities you will learn include:

  • Secure networking and cybersecurity lab environments
  • Preconfigured hardware and/or virtualized lab stacks
  • Instructor-guided and self-paced lab exercises
  • Secure remote access and monitoring
  • Scenario-based simulations aligned to operational environments
  • Support for ICS / OT security learning contexts where appropriate

  • Canadian Armed Forces members transitioning to civilian careers
  • Veterans and military family members
  • Learners in rural, remote, or underserved communities
  • Learners needing flexible, asynchronous access because of work or caregiving responsibilities

This focus strongly aligns with Cyber Catalyst’s mission and with the practical realities faced by many of the learners we serve.

This collaboration points toward learning experiences that are:

  • Applied
    • Learners build skills through practical exercises, scenarios, and project-based work.
  • Flexible
    • Delivery models are intended to support remote, asynchronous, and distributed participation where appropriate.
  • Workforce-Aligned
    • The focus is on skills that matter in operational environments, including reporting, analysis, escalation, and infrastructure protection.
  • Inclusive
    • The intended learner populations include veterans, military-connected learners, rural and remote learners, and others who benefit from more flexible access models.

Cyber Catalyst is positioned to support participant recruitment and intake, outreach to priority learners, HomeLab and certification logistics where applicable, sponsorship and partner engagement, and agreed reporting.

Durham College ORSIE is positioned to contribute through quality assurance, facilities and on-campus intensives where mutually agreed, promotion through Durham College channels, and institutional integration of program data and workforce development objectives.

Interested in Learning More?

If you are a:

  • Veteran
  • Serving CAF member
  • Reservist
  • Military spouse or family member
  • Rural or remote learner
  • Career changer seeking practical cyber skills

We invite you to reach out and inquire about current or upcoming opportunities related to these applied learning pathways.

To inquire about registration interest, collaboration opportunities, or future program updates, contact Pat_Shaw@cybercatalyst.io

You can also connect with Cyber Catalyst to learn more about flexible, applied pathways in:

  • Cybersecurity
  • Secure networking
  • ICS / OT security
  • Work-integrated learning models
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