May 10, 2016, FREDERICTON (GNB) – New Brunswick became the first province in Canada to develop a comprehensive strategy on cybersecurity and cyber innovation as Premier Brian Gallant announced the official launch of CyberNB today.
“Our province already has a world-class cybersecurity cluster with leading researchers, academics and global businesses like IBM all contributing, which is exciting as there is a lot of room for growth as cybersecurity violations around the world cost about $500 billion annually,” said Gallant. “By collaborating even more, the cybersecurity ecosystem in New Brunswick will be strengthened and will be able to provide solutions to this global threat.”
CyberNB is a strategic economic development initiative spearheaded by Opportunities NB and headed by cybersecurity expert Allen Dillon. The strategy was developed with industry leaders, academia and the government. It is a deliberate growth strategy aimed at creating high-value jobs and having a positive impact on New Brunswick’s GDP over the next five years.
The CyberNB strategy is made up of five key areas: CyberSparkNB, CyberSmartNB, CyberInnovateNB, Cybersecurity; and CyberSecureNB. Each segment is essential for establishing New Brunswick as the epicentre for cybersecurity in Canada, and for promoting further collaboration with international partners.
These key areas include:
- CyberSparkNB, which will support the creation and accelerated growth of cybersecurity technologies, industry cluster and jobs in New Brunswick;
- CyberSmartNB, which will represent the focused development of a cybersecurity educational pipeline to train new information security experts and accelerate workforce development;
- CyberInnovateNB, which will represent the establishment of a new incubator dedicated to start-ups and new tech development in cybersecurity;
- CyberSecureNB, which is dedicated to being a model for securing New Brunswick digital services and infrastructure, while raising public and industry awareness to cybersecurity threats; and
- The Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity, which is a dedicated cyber research facility with laboratory and equipment for national and international collaboration.
“In New Brunswick we have a thriving technology sector, incredible innovative universities, a private sector-focused college system, one of the largest military bases in the country, and an entrepreneurial spirit embodied in our people,” said Gallant. “We can and will be world leaders in cybersecurity.”
From left: Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Stephen Horsman; Allen Dillon, director of CyberNB; Premier Brian Gallant; and Stephen Lund, CEO of Opportunities NB.
MEDIA CONTACT(S):
Valerie Kilfoil, communications, Opportunities NB, 506-453-8168.