Upcoming Programs
Cloud System Administrator Focus HTC
Brief Program Description
The technology industry has been evolving rapidly and has become one of the fastest-growing industries in Canada. This rapid growth requires professionals who can monitor and manage various areas of technology including computer software and hardware, networks, Internet servers, and security, to name but a few. Furthermore, as more and more business solutions and services have been moving to the Cloud, it has become crucial for individuals to gain knowledge of and experience in managing these services on platforms such as Microsoft Azure. This significant rise in Cloud computing and automation has paved the way for new avenues for a successful career in IT infrastructure management. This is where the skills of system administrators come into play. System administrators can play a key role in the maintenance of and seamless and secure running of various IT services within an IT infrastructure.
The Cloud System Administrator program is intended for individuals who are seeking the working knowledge of and certification in computer and systems-related administration. Through this program, students will have the opportunity to work on modern popular operating systems including Microsoft Windows Server and Linux. As a graduate of this program, students will be equipped with the essential skills and knowledge to install, configure, and upgrade both software and hardware, troubleshoot computer networks, operate Windows PowerShell for task automation and configuration management, create and manage system permissions and user accounts, and perform regular security tests and security monitoring. Through the lab-oriented courses and hands-on learning approach alongside practical assignments and projects, students will quickly gain the practical skills and competence required for making a successful career as a system administrator in an IT industry. The program will also help students prepare for certification examinations including CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, and CCNA. The completion of the in-class courses is followed by a six-week practicum to gain real-world hands-on experience in the field of managing and maintaining an IT infrastructure.
Career Occupation
This industry-leading cybersecurity program will qualify graduates for careers including:
- System Administrator
- System Engineer
- System Architect
- Network Administrator
- IT infrastructure Specialist
- PC Support Technician
Admission Requirements
The students must meet the following criteria to be accepted into the Cybersecurity Analyst program:
- Minimum Grade 12 or Equivalent qualification from an English language institution
- If English is not the student’s first language, they are required to have an IELTS level 6.0 OR equivalent (in the case of other testing standards) score to be admitted to the program. If upon starting the program, their language proficiency proves to be significantly lower than the criteria mentioned, they will be required to take the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course at Focus College before being able to continue with their program studies.
OR
- Mature student status*
*(19 years of age upon starting the program and qualify the college’s admission test)
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the program, the successful students will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Understand the fundamental concepts and working knowledge of a Cloud-based IT infrastructure including computer systems, operating systems, networks, and application software
- Configure, install, and upgrade computer hardware, operating systems, and application software
- Create, monitor, and maintain system permissions, user accounts, and other users’ privileges
- Provide troubleshooting and technical support to end-users experiencing problems related to hardware, software, networks, and other privileges
- Configure and interconnect the components of a wired and wireless Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN) to establish the network infrastructure
- Develop and implement shell scripts and use tools to automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks for increased efficiency and rapid response to changing requirements
- Perform regular testing and security monitoring to ensure seamless and secure functioning of IT services
- Implement security design principles and apply security policies used in modern operating systems to protect the privacy and security of computer systems, software, hardware, and computer networks
- Design and implement best practices and policies to govern the acceptable use of computer systems, the management and retention of data, and other areas of regulatory interest
- Evaluate the performance and efficiency of and troubleshoot computer networks, operating systems, hardware, and application software
Method(s) of Evaluation
In the Cloud System Administrator program, learners will be assessed through both formative and summative methods and a blend of continuous Unit assessment and Graded Unit assessments. Each course (unit) has an assessment that the candidate is required to pass. The allocation of grades awarded are as follows:
- Grade A – Student has achieved 70% or above marks
- Grade B – Student has achieved marks between 60% and 69%
- Grade C – Student has achieved marks between 50% and 59%
- F (Fail) – Student has achieved less than 50% marks
Completion Requirements
To graduate, a student must meet the following requirements:
- Successful completion of all courses with a minimum 50% (C grade) in each course
- Successful completion of the Practicum
- Successful completion of all assignments and tasks required in the Career and Professional Skills course
Program Duration
The duration of the program is 92 weeks (full-time), and the total hours are 1840.
Homework Hours
Approximately 10-15 hours/week of homework is required from students to be successful in this fast-paced and intensive program.
Delivery Method(s)
The program is delivered through the following delivery models:
- In-class instruction
- Distance education
- Combined delivery (both in-class and distance)
Required course materials
Various textbooks/reference books and other online educational materials will be provided. Please see the course outline forms for individual course books/materials.
Program Organization
The following table shows the titles of the courses in this program in the order they are provided, and the hours of instruction allotted to each course.
| Title of Course/Work Experience Component * | Number of Hours* |
| Computer Systems Fundamentals | 80 |
| PC Maintenance: Hardware | 80 |
| PC Maintenance: Software | 80 |
| Introduction to Computer Network | 80 |
| Essentials of Cloud Computing | 80 |
| Windows Client OS Configuration | 80 |
| Windows Devices Configuration | 80 |
| Windows Server Configuration | 80 |
| Linux Essentials and Shell Scripting | 80 |
| Windows PowerShell | 80 |
| Internet Protocols Fundamentals | 80 |
| Cisco Networking: Routing and Switching | 80 |
| Networking with Windows Server | 80 |
| Securing Windows Server | 80 |
| Cybersecurity Fundamentals | 80 |
| Identity Management with Windows Server | 80 |
| Virtualization and Cloud Technology | 80 |
| Microsoft Azure Fundamentals | 80 |
| Communication Skills | 80 |
| Career Development Planning | 80 |
| Practicum: Full-time (Six Weeks) | 240 |
Speak with an Admission Representative today!
Get in touch with us at 250-861-5808 or 778-624-2010
Get Info
