Cybersecurity has become a strategic priority for Quebec companies. Between Law 25 on the protection of personal information (fully in force since September 2024, with fines ranging from $15,000 to $25M or 4% of global revenue), the multiplication of ransomware attacks, and the launch of the CMMC Level 1 program in April 2026 for defence contracts, recruiting IT security professionals is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity. In 2023, 60% of Quebec SMBs were targeted by a cyberattack (source: Investissement Quebec). Here is what employers need to know to recruit effectively in this field.

The State of the Cybersecurity Market in Quebec and Canada

The picture is unambiguous: there are far more open positions than available candidates. In Canada, there are 25,000 unfilled cybersecurity positions, and 1 in 6 job postings in the field remains without a candidate (source: ICTC, 2024). Globally, the shortage reaches 4.8 million unfilled positions, up 19% year over year (source: ISC2, 2025 Workforce Study).

Despite this shortage, the Canadian ecosystem is growing: the country now has 138,726 cybersecurity workers, a 12.2% increase since 2021 (source: ISC2). Greater Montreal alone is home to 17,000 cybersecurity specialists (source: Montreal International), making it a major hub in the country. Yet 75% of employers confirm a critical shortage of qualified talent in the field (source: ICTC).

Several factors explain this tension:

Demand has exploded with cloud adoption, hybrid work, and the digital transformation of companies across all sectors.
Cybersecurity training remains insufficient: university programs struggle to keep pace with the rapid evolution of threats.
US companies attract Quebec talent with USD salaries and remote work.
Quebec's Cybersecurity Strategy 2024-2028 plans for over $5B per year in IT resources, further fuelling demand.

The outlook is clear: cybersecurity employment in Canada is expected to grow by 33% between 2023 and 2033 (source: Government of Canada, COPS), and the Canadian cybersecurity market is growing by 8.2% annually through 2029 (source: Statista). In this context, companies looking to recruit must adjust their expectations and approach.

The Most In-Demand Profiles and Actual Salaries in Montreal

Here are the most sought-after profiles with verified salary ranges for the Montreal area.

Security Analyst

The first line of defence, the analyst monitors systems, detects incidents, and coordinates responses. This is often the entry point into a cybersecurity career.

Salary: $85,400 to $130,100 CAD (source: Robert Half), average of $99,400 in Quebec (source: ZipRecruiter Quebec)

Pentester (Penetration Tester)

The pentester simulates attacks to identify vulnerabilities before real attackers exploit them. This is a highly sought-after technical profile requiring an offensive mindset and deep systems knowledge.

Salary: Certified CEH pentesters in Canada range from $80,000 to $130,000+ (source: Canadian Cyber Watch)

Security Engineer

The security engineer designs and implements protection solutions: firewalls, intrusion detection systems, encryption, and identity management. They often work closely with DevOps teams.

Salary: $93,300 to $137,700 CAD (source: Robert Half), average of $122,200 in Quebec (source: ZipRecruiter Quebec)

SOC Analyst

The Security Operations Centre analyst monitors alerts in real time, triages incidents, and escalates critical threats. SOCs often operate 24/7, which means shift work.

Salary: SOC analysts fall in the same range as security analysts, from $85,400 to $130,100 depending on experience (source: Robert Half)

CISO (Chief Information Security Officer)

The CISO is the strategic leader responsible for the entire organization's security posture. They report to executive leadership and translate technical risks into business language.

Salary: $159,600 to $216,200 CAD in Montreal (source: Robert Half), potentially reaching $140,000 to $250,000+ in large organizations (source: Fed IT)

Worth noting: the CISSP certification adds an average of $8,000 to $15,000 to salary (source: Fed IT), and French-English bilingualism allows a bonus of 10 to 15% on compensation (source: Fed IT). For a complete salary overview, see our Montreal 2026 tech salary guide.

The Most Sought-After Skills

Beyond profiles, certain technical skills are particularly valued by Quebec employers:

Cloud security: AWS Security, Azure Security Center, Google Cloud Security. The migration to the cloud has created a massive need for specialists capable of securing multi-cloud environments.
Zero Trust architecture: The "trust no one" model has become the standard. Professionals who know how to implement it are in high demand.
Compliance and regulation: Law 25 in Quebec (fines up to $25M), CMMC for defence contracts, GDPR for companies operating in Europe, SOC 2 for SaaS. Regulatory knowledge is a major asset.
Incident response: Knowing how to react quickly and effectively during a breach is a critical skill that all companies seek.
SIEM and SOAR: Proficiency with platforms like Splunk, Sentinel, or QRadar is essential for analysts and engineers.

Certifications That Make the Difference

In cybersecurity more than any other tech field, certifications carry enormous weight. Here are the ones we see most often in our mandates' requirements, with verified market data (the official list of recognized certifications is maintained by the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security):

CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional): The most in-demand certification globally with 82,494 job postings mentioning it. The average salary for holders is $168,060 USD (source: CyberSeek). It is the reference for senior profiles and CISOs.
CompTIA Security+: Present in 70,019 job postings (source: CyberSeek), it is the essential baseline certification, particularly valued in the government sector and by SMBs.
CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker): A must for pentesters and offensive profiles. In Canada, holders earn between $80,000 and $130,000+ (source: Canadian Cyber Watch).
CISM (Certified Information Security Manager): Particularly valued for roles in security management and governance. It is the certification that opens doors to leadership positions.
OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional): The most respected certification in penetration testing. It is 100% hands-on and highly demanding.
CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional): Increasingly in demand with the migration to the cloud.

Regulations Accelerating Hiring

Several regulatory frameworks are pushing Quebec companies to strengthen their cybersecurity teams:

Law 25 (Quebec): Fully in force since September 2024, it imposes strict obligations regarding the protection of personal information. Fines range from $15,000 to $25M (or 4% of global revenue). Every company must now appoint a privacy officer.
CMMC Level 1: Launched in April 2026, this cybersecurity certification program is mandatory for companies seeking defence contracts in Canada.
Quebec Cybersecurity Strategy 2024-2028: A massive investment of over $5B per year in IT resources, led by the Ministry of Cybersecurity and Digital (MCN).

The Cybersecurity Ecosystem in Montreal

Greater Montreal is a leading cybersecurity hub in Canada. Among the major employers are GoSecure, Desjardins, Genetec, Hitachi Systems Security, I-TRACING, and RHEA Group. These companies are actively recruiting and helping structure the local ecosystem.

On the training and talent development side, several initiatives deserve mention:

Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst: An accelerated training program that helps career changers quickly acquire the necessary skills.
Cybereco: An organization bringing together over 100 member organizations to develop the cybersecurity workforce in Quebec.
IN-SEC-M: Canada's cybersecurity industry cluster supporting innovation and growth of companies in the sector.
Ministry of Cybersecurity and Digital (MCN): The government pillar of Quebec's cybersecurity strategy.

Strategies for Cybersecurity Recruitment

Where to Find Candidates

Cybersecurity experts do not hang out on traditional job boards. Here are the channels that work:

Specialized communities: NorthSec, Hackfest, BSides Montreal, OWASP Quebec
CTF (Capture The Flag) competitions: an excellent pipeline for emerging talent
LinkedIn with a personalized and technical approach
Internal referrals: cybersecurity professionals know each other
Specialized recruitment agencies like VALO, which maintain an active network of cybersecurity candidates

How to Write an Attractive Job Posting

Generic job postings do not work in cybersecurity. Be specific about the technical environment, tools used, and the concrete challenges the candidate will face. Mention certifications as preferred rather than required, and display the salary range. In a market where 1 in 6 postings remains unfilled, your listing needs to stand out.

The Technical Interview

Cybersecurity assessment must be practical. Incident scenarios, vulnerability detection exercises, and architecture discussions are far more revealing than a theoretical questionnaire. Involve your internal experts in the process.

Think Retention from the Start of Recruitment

In a market with projected 33% growth over 10 years and a global shortage of 4.8 million professionals, retention starts with the job offer. Continuous training budgets, certification sponsorship (a CISSP represents a significant investment), and work flexibility are decisive assets. For more on this topic, read our article on 7 proven tech talent retention strategies.

Why Work with VALO for Your Cybersecurity Recruitment

Cybersecurity is one of our specialties at VALO. Our recruiters understand the difference between a SOC analyst and a pentester, between a CISSP and an OSCP certification. This technical expertise allows us to pre-qualify candidates effectively and present only relevant profiles.

Our 18% fee is transparent and competitive. Our 3-month replacement guarantee protects your investment. And our network of cybersecurity professionals in Quebec allows us to present the first qualified candidates within 2 weeks.

View our cybersecurity positions

The State of the Cybersecurity Market in Quebec and Canada

Several factors explain this tension:

Demand has exploded with cloud adoption, hybrid work, and the digital transformation of companies across all sectors.
Cybersecurity training remains insufficient: university programs struggle to keep pace with the rapid evolution of threats.
US companies attract Quebec talent with USD salaries and remote work.
Quebec's Cybersecurity Strategy 2024-2028 plans for over $5B per year in IT resources, further fuelling demand.