National Occupational Classification, TEER 1
NOC 21220: Cybersecurity specialists
Cybersecurity specialists develop, plan, recommend, implement, improve and monitor security measures to protect an organization's computer networks, connected devices and information to prevent unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction of the information or of the systems on which the information resides. Below are the main duties, all 19 job titles it covers, what it means for Express Entry and what it pays in each province.
Updated
- Official NOC 2021 data
- Job Bank wages
What is NOC 21220?
NOC 21220 is the code for cybersecurity specialists in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include cybersecurity analyst, informatics security analyst, informatics security consultant and information technology (IT) security specialist. It is a TEER 1 occupation (usually a university degree), so it counts as skilled work for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, and IRCC lists it for the STEM category draw. The Job Bank median wage across Canada is $49.52 an hour.
- NOC code
- 21220
- TEER
- 1: University degree
- Broad category
- Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
- Express Entry
- Skilled (TEER 0 to 3)
- Category draws
- STEM
- Median wage
- $49.52 an hour
Job titles under NOC 21220
Cybersecurity specialists develop, plan, recommend, implement, improve and monitor security measures to protect an organization's computer networks, connected devices and information to prevent unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction of the information or of the systems on which the information resides. They are employed in information technology consulting firms and in information technology units throughout the public and private sectors.
Main job titles
- cybersecurity analyst
- informatics security analyst
- informatics security consultant
- information technology (IT) security specialist
- systems security analyst
All 19 job titles in the NOC index
application security engineer, communicator research operator - Canadian Armed Forces, cyber operator - Canadian Armed Forces, cybersecurity analyst, cybersecurity consultant, cybersecurity specialist, informatics security analyst, informatics security consultant, information technology (IT) project manager - cybersecurity, information technology (IT) security analyst, Information technology (IT) security architect, information technology (IT) security consultant, information technology (IT) security specialist, Internet security analyst, network security analyst, network security engineer, systems security analyst, systems security engineer, systems security planner.
Main duties of NOC 21220
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Confer with clients to identify and document requirements, assess physical and technical security risks to data, software and hardware
- Apply encryption protocols, and manage keys to ensure security of data is maintained while at rest and in transit
- Monitor access and credentials for information and systems
- Install, test and operate security software and tools such as anti-virus and automated threat detection/prevent systems to ensure security measures are in place and working as intended
- Monitor for cyber attacks, intrusions and unusual, unauthorised or illegal activity
- Plan and carry out security measures in response to cybersecurity events and incidents in accordance with an organization's incident response plan to protect information, data and systems
- Document computer security and emergency measures policies, procedures, and tests.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in computer science, computer security, computer systems engineering, information systems or completion of a college program in information technology, network administration or other computer science related program is usually required.
- Certification or training provided by software vendors may be required by some employers.
Is NOC 21220 eligible for Express Entry?
Yes for the programs that need skilled work: TEER 1 is in the TEER 0 to 3 range IRCC accepts.
| Program or draw | NOC 21220 |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | Counts as skilled work (TEER 0 to 3) |
| Canadian Experience Class | Counts as skilled work (TEER 0 to 3) |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | Not a listed trade |
| Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations (category draw) | On the eligible list |
| French-language proficiency (category draw) | Open to any occupation with NCLC 7 in French |
Read how TEER categories work and the full list of NOC codes in each 2026 category draw. Category draws also need at least 12 months of full-time work (or the same amount part-time) in one listed occupation within the past 3 years.
How much does NOC 21220 pay?
Job Bank wages for this occupation, per hour. Low and high are, in most cases, the 10th and 90th percentiles, so 8 in 10 workers earn somewhere between them.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $30.00 | $49.52 | $72.12 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $35.32 | $47.44 | $63.51 |
| Nova Scotia | $31.25 | $42.05 | $96.15 |
| New Brunswick | $31.25 | $45.19 | $80.00 |
| Quebec | $30.67 | $49.23 | $71.43 |
| Ontario | $30.00 | $51.28 | $72.12 |
| Manitoba | $23.00 | $45.00 | $69.71 |
| Saskatchewan | $35.00 | $45.64 | $76.92 |
| Alberta | $35.40 | $50.51 | $87.09 |
| British Columbia | $32.00 | $47.80 | $108.17 |
Source: Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank 2025 wages, revised November 19, 2025), data from 2023-2024 (Labour Force Survey). Wages for job offers in LMIA and provincial programs are compared with these figures, so check the current numbers on Job Bank before you rely on them.
Using NOC 21220 duties on your resume
Canadian resumes do not list NOC codes. Employers read your job titles, what you did and what came of it. The NOC duties are still a useful checklist: if you did these tasks, say so in your own words and add the numbers that prove it.
For Express Entry, the reference letter from your employer should describe the duties you really performed, in line with this lead statement and most of the main duties, without copying the NOC text word for word. The free reference letter generator checks your duties against NOC 21220 as you write.
- Start each bullet with a strong verb and end it with a result: how many, how often, how fast.
- Use the job title your employer used, even if the NOC title is different.
- Keep immigration details such as your NOC code and permit type off the resume.
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Where this information comes from
Occupation codes, titles and descriptions are adapted from Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.
Wages come from Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank 2025 wages, revised November 19, 2025). Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Express Entry rules come from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): the program pages for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the category-based selection page as modified on June 22, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for a cybersecurity analyst?
NOC 21220, Cybersecurity specialists, a TEER 1 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 21220?
TEER 1. Usually a university degree. The TEER is the second digit of the code. See all TEER categories.
Is NOC 21220 eligible for Express Entry?
Yes. As a TEER 1 occupation it counts as skilled work for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class. You still have to meet every other requirement, and your duties must match the NOC description.
Is NOC 21220 in an Express Entry category-based draw?
Yes. IRCC’s 2026 list puts it in the STEM category. You need at least 12 months of full-time work (or the same part-time) in it within the past 3 years.
How much does NOC 21220 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $49.52 an hour, with most wages between $30.00 and $72.12. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 21220 in NOC 2021 Version 1.0. This page shows the same text, from the open data Statistics Canada publishes.
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More on NOC codes and Canadian resumes
- NOC Code Finder: Describe your duties and get your NOC 2021 code, TEER and Express Entry eligibility. Free.
- NOC Codes Canada: Full List: All 516 NOC 2021 codes with their TEER, duties and wages.
- TEER Categories Explained: What TEER 0 to 5 means, which count for Express Entry, and every job in each one.
- Express Entry Category Draws: NOC Codes: Every NOC code on the 2026 healthcare, STEM, trades, education and other lists.
- Canadian Resume Examples by Job: Real examples for cashiers, caregivers, trades, tech, students and more.
- Newcomer Resume Guide: Turn international experience into a resume Canadian employers understand.