National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0
2 - Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
This broad category comprises occupations in natural sciences (including basic and applied sciences and experimental development), engineering, architecture and information technology. These occupations cover specialized middle management occupations in engineering, architecture, science and information systems; professional occupations in natural sciences (basic and applied sciences and experimental development); and technical occupations related to natural sciences (including basic and applied sciences and experimental development).
21 - Professional occupations in natural and applied sciences
This major group comprises professional occupations in natural sciences; professional occupations in applied sciences and professional occupations in engineering. These occupations come with Training, Education, Experience and Responsibility (TEER) identified as TEER 1. Occupations classified in TEER 1, as those in this group with a 1 as the second digit of their code, typically require a university degree (bachelor's, master's or doctorate) or the accumulation of several years of experience and expertise in the subject matter knowledge in a related occupation found in TEER 2, when applicable (which includes occupations with a 2 as a second digit in their code).
212 - Professional occupations in applied sciences (except engineering)
This sub-major group comprises professional occupations in applied sciences, other than engineering, including architects, urban planners and land surveyors; mathematicians, statisticians, actuaries and data scientists; computer and information systems professionals; and computer, software and Web designers and developers.
2122 - Computer and information systems professionals
This minor group comprises computer and information systems professionals, including cybersecurity specialists, business systems specialists, information systems specialists, and database analysts and data administrators. They are employed by computer software development and information technology consulting, research and development companies; advertising agencies; and in information technology units throughout the public and private sectors; or they may be self-employed.
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. They are employed in information technology consulting firms and in information technology units throughout the public and private sectors.
Illustrative example(s)
- cybersecurity analyst
- informatics security analyst
- informatics security consultant
- information technology (IT) security specialist
- systems security analyst
Exclusion(s)
- Business systems specialists (See 21221 Business systems specialists)
- Computer and information systems managers (See 20012 Computer and information systems managers)
- Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (See 21311 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers))
- Computer systems developers and programmers (See 21230 Computer systems developers and programmers)
- Database analysts and data administrators (See 21223 Database analysts and data administrators)
- Information systems specialists (See 21222 Information systems specialists)
- Software developers and programmers (See 21232 Software developers and programmers)
- Software engineers and designers (See 21231 Software engineers and designers)
- Web designers (See 21233 Web designers)
- Web developers and programmers (See 21234 Web developers and programmers)
Main duties
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.
21221 - Business systems specialists
Business systems specialists perform detailed system tests, produce reports and develop new system architectures. They must also identify the strategic objectives of a company and translate these objectives into achievable tasks for an organization's information technology department. They are employed in information technology consulting firms and in information technology units throughout the public and private sectors.
Illustrative example(s)
- business systems analyst
- business systems consultant
- business systems specialist - computer systems
- information systems business analyst
- information technology (IT) business analyst
Exclusion(s)
- Computer and information systems managers (See 20012 Computer and information systems managers)
- Cybersecurity specialists (See 21220 Cybersecurity specialists)
- Database analysts and data administrators (See 21223 Database analysts and data administrators)
- Information systems specialists (See 21222 Information systems specialists)
- Professional occupations in business management consulting (See 11201 Professional occupations in business management consulting)
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Confer with clients to identify and document requirements
- Analyze information systems processes, and propose customized solutions to improve performance and efficiency
- Design, develop, integrate, test and implement information systems business solutions
- Provide advice on information systems strategy, policy, management, security and service delivery
- Act as a liaison between the business units, technology teams and support teams
- Conduct tests to ensure the reliability, accuracy, and functionality of system changes and enhancements
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in computer science, business administration, information systems or a related discipline or completion of a college program in computer science is usually required.
- Certification or training may be required by some employers.
21222 - Information systems specialists
Information systems specialists analyze, test and assess systems requirements, develop and implement information systems development plans, policies and procedures, and provide advice on a wide range of information systems issues. They are employed in information technology consulting firms and in information technology units throughout the public and private sectors, or they may be self-employed.
Illustrative example(s)
- computer systems analyst
- informatics consultant
- information systems quality assurance (QA) analyst
- information technology (IT) consultant
- management information systems (MIS) analyst
- systems auditor
- systems consultant
Exclusion(s)
- Computer and information systems managers (See 20012 Computer and information systems managers)
- Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (See 21311 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers))
- Computer systems developers and programmers (See 21230 Computer systems developers and programmers)
- Data scientists (See 21211 Data scientists)
- Database analysts and data administrators (See 21223 Database analysts and data administrators)
- Financial auditors and accountants (See 11100 Financial auditors and accountants)
- Professional occupations in business management consulting (See 11201 Professional occupations in business management consulting)
- Software developers and programmers (See 21232 Software developers and programmers)
- Software engineers and designers (See 21231 Software engineers and designers)
- Web designers (See 21233 Web designers)
- Web developers and programmers (See 21234 Web developers and programmers)
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Design, develop, test, implement and oversee IT systems
- Collect and analyze data to identify areas for improvement within an organization's IT infrastructure
- Review existing IT systems and internal processes
- Develop, implement and apply policies and procedures throughout the software development life cycle to maximize the efficiency, effectiveness and overall quality of software products and information systems, and to ensure that all systems and processes meet organization standards and user requirements
- Develop quality assurance procedures and tests for the development and improvement of new and existing systems
- Identify, analyze and document discrepancies and ensure that appropriate adjustments are made
- Perform preventive maintenance tasks on computer systems.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in computer science, computer systems engineering, software engineering, business administration or a related discipline or completion of a college program in computer science is usually required.
- Experience as a computer programmer is usually required.
- Certification or training provided by software vendors may be required by some employers.
- A professional certification such as Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or another related information technology (IT) designation.
21223 - Database analysts and data administrators
Database analysts design, develop and administer data management solutions. Data administrators develop and implement data administration policy, standards and models. They are employed in information technology consulting firms and in information technology units throughout the public and private sectors.
Illustrative example(s)
- data administrator
- data custodian
- data dictionary administrator
- data warehouse analyst
- database administrator (DBA)
- database analyst
- database architect
- technical architect - database
Exclusion(s)
- Computer and information systems managers (See 20012 Computer and information systems managers)
- Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (See 21311 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers))
- Computer systems developers and programmers (See 21230 Computer systems developers and programmers)
- Information systems specialists (See 21222 Information systems specialists)
- Software developers and programmers (See 21232 Software developers and programmers)
- Software engineers and designers (See 21231 Software engineers and designers)
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Database analysts
- Collect and document user requirements
- Design and develop database architecture for information systems projects
- Design, construct, modify, integrate, implement and test data models and database management systems
- Conduct research and provide advice to other informatics professionals regarding the selection, application and implementation of database management tools
- Operate database management systems to analyze data and perform data mining analysis
- May lead, coordinate or supervise other workers in this group.
Data administrators
- Develop and implement data administration policy, standards and models
- Research and document data requirements, data collection and administration policy, data access rules and security
- Develop policies and procedures for network and/or Internet database access and usage and for the backup and recovery of data
- Conduct research and provide advice to other information systems professionals regarding the collection, availability, security and suitability of data
- Write scripts related to stored procedures and triggers
- May lead and coordinate teams of data administrators in the development and implementation of data policies, standards and models.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree or college program, usually in computer science, computer engineering, or in mathematics is usually required.
- Computer programming and related experience is usually required.
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