November 10, 2025 As Remembrance Week begins, a Canadian initiative helping military veterans move into the tech sector is approaching a major milestone. Coding for Veterans, a national program that retrains members of the Canadian Armed Forces for technology careers, is about to enroll its 1,000th student.
The timing coincides with a sharp rise in cyber incidents across Canada. Federal agencies have reported more frequent and sophisticated attacks targeting critical infrastructure and essential services. The average ransom paid by Canadian organizations in 2023 exceeded $1.1 million, up nearly 150 per cent from two years earlier.
“Cybersecurity is about more than just protecting devices; it’s about safeguarding the everyday lives of people across Canada,” said Defence Minister David McGuinty in a recent statement.
Delivered online through the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute, Coding for Veterans provides training in cybersecurity, software development, and emerging fields such as generative artificial intelligence. The program is designed to help former military personnel transfer their discipline and problem-solving skills to new roles defending Canada’s digital infrastructure.
“Veterans have the teamwork and focus the tech industry needs,” said Jeff Musson, executive director of Coding for Veterans. “Reaching our 1,000th enrolment shows how these skills are making a difference across the country.”
With cyberattacks increasing in both number and impact, the initiative aims to strengthen Canada’s digital defences by turning military experience into technical expertise—helping veterans move, as the program says, “from deployment to employment.”
