BlackBerry Welcomes Canadian Support to Boost Cyber Resilience in Southeast Asia Via Investing.com
In partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University, the Government of Canada will invest $3.9M CAD in the Malaysia Cybersecurity Center of Excellence to strengthen cybersecurity partnerships and expertise in the region through skills training opportunities, including for women.
WATERLOO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 17, 2024 / At the APEC Leaders’ Summit, BlackBerry Limited (NYSE:)(TSX:BB), expressed appreciation for the Canadian Government’s announcement to invest $3.9 million (CAD) in Malaysia. The grant will support cybersecurity training programs and threat intelligence programs aimed at strengthening capacity building and improving cybersecurity sustainability in Southeast Asia.
Canadian support will be provided by BlackBerry in partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University’s (™U’s) Rogers (NYSE: ) Cybersecure Catalyst (“Catalyst”), with the aim of training 3,500 cyber security guards from Malaysia and other ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries they are members. The initiative advances global private sector cooperation in combating emerging digital threats, aligns with Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, and establishes Malaysia as a regional cybersecurity hub in Southeast Asia.
Support from the Government of Canada will include the design, development, and delivery of a comprehensive cyber security curriculum, including dedicated programs for women, to expand what is already offered at Malaysia’s Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (CCoE) in Cyberjaya. The aim is to help more men and women take advantage of the region’s much-needed role in cyber security and establish the CCoE as a regional hub for learning and sharing intelligence, enabling government and industry to better prevent, deter and respond to emerging cyber threats and coordinate responses to incidents that may impact operational resilience and national security.
Courses supported by the Government of Canada in Malaysia CCoE will include role-based education and professional tracks as well as Leadership Certificates in Cybersecurity and Cybersecurity Leadership courses. In line with Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, which aims to invest and connect people, Government funding will also support scholarships and bursaries for Malaysians and regional participants to enroll in CCoE courses and obtain internationally recognized industry certifications in cyber security.
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim during the opening of the center on March 26 said, “Being more than a center to help train and develop our national cyber workforce, the Cyber Security Center of Excellence has the potential to become an international facility to address emerging cyber threats We can bring together Malaysian and Canadian universities, research institutes and skilled workers to share knowledge, threat intelligence and jointly develop ways and strategies to strengthen national and regional resilience.”
The Rt. His Excellency. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada said, “Cybersecurity is a pillar of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. It is also a shared challenge that countries around the world need to solve together. With our government’s investment in Malaysia’s Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in partnership with BlackBerry, Canada will share expertise of computers, train cyber workers across ASEAN countries, increase private sector collaboration, and strengthen our collective ability to combat, deter and respond to cyber threats.”
BlackBerry CEO, John Giamatteo, added, “BlackBerry is honored to partner with the Governments of Malaysia, Canada, and the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst of Toronto Metropolitan University to establish the Malaysia Cybersecurity Center of Excellence. As the beating heart of cyber security capabilities, this world-class center we help train and develop Malaysian and regional workforce, and are an international hub to deal with emerging cyber threats and coordinate response to regional incidents In the growing digital economy, no matter how advanced your cybersecurity weapons are have well-trained cyber personnel to strengthen their lines of self-defense.”
“We are pleased that the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitan University has partnered with the Government of Canada and BlackBerry to bring cybersecurity skills training to this important region for international security, now more than ever to include technological security,” said Dr. Mohamed Lachemi, President of Toronto Metropolitan University and Vice Chancellor. “Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy is an important effort to build democratic resilience and promote Canadian democratic standards around the world. As one of Canada’s leaders in cybersecurity training, Catalyst at ™U is well-positioned to work with the Government of Canada and BlackBerry in advancing this cause.”
The news comes twelve months after BlackBerry and the Government of Malaysia announced a long-term software and services agreement designed to strengthen the country’s cyber security posture and develop the region’s digital workforce with advanced cybersecurity technology and dedicated on-site training. In collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the world-class Malaysia CCoE opened on March 26, 2024.
For more information on the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence and the courses available, please visit here. For current course availability information, please visit here.
The Rt. His Excellency. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, and on the left, the Hon. Mary Ng, Minister for International Trade Development, International Trade and Economic Development.
##
About Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst
Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst is Toronto Metropolitan University’s national center for cybersecurity training, innovation and collaboration. Headquartered in Brampton, Ontario, and offering programs and services across Canada, Catalyst empowers individuals and organizations to seize the opportunities and address the challenges of cyber security. Together with our partners and collaborators, we are working towards a vision of healthy democracies and thriving communities, powered by secure digital technologies. With our basic training and certification programs; unique new implementations and scales; first-of-its-kind cyber range; and extensive public education programs, Catalyst helps advance Canada’s global competitiveness in cybersecurity.
About BlackBerry
BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to businesses and governments around the world. The company’s software powers over 255M vehicles. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company uses AI and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety, and data privacy solutions, and is a leader in the fields of endpoint management, endpoint security, encryption, and embedded systems. BlackBerry’s vision is clear – to secure a connected future you can trust.
For more information, visit BlackBerry.com and follow @BlackBerry.
Trademarks, including but not limited to BLACKBERRY and EMBLEM Design are trademarks or registered trademarks of BlackBerry Limited, and exclusive rights to such trademarks are expressly reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. BlackBerry is not responsible for any third party products or services.
Media Contacts:
BlackBerry Media Relations
+1 (519) 597-7273
mediarelations@BlackBerry.com
SOURCE: BlackBerry
View the original press release at accesswire.com
