January 16, 2017, FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government is investing $1.9 million in the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity, an innovative hub for research, training and industry collaboration, which officially opened today at the University of New Brunswick (UNB).
“The need for more cybersecurity support and services around the world is a huge opportunity to create jobs here in our province,” said Premier Brian Gallant. “New Brunswick is already a world leader in cybersecurity. Enhancing training and research opportunities through this institute is another step in seizing this significant economic opportunity.”
To help shift towards a knowledge-based economy, the provincial government is focusing on innovation in cybersecurity. The worldwide cybersecurity market is growing, with size estimates from analysts ranging from US$75 billion in 2015 to US$170 billion by 2020. This is in response to the rising cost of cyberattacks, which is expected to grow to US$2.1 trillion globally by 2020.
In addition to the provincial government investment, the federal government’s Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is investing $2.27 million and the university is contributing more than $330,000.
“The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is pleased to support the establishment of the institute,” said Fredericton MP Matt DeCourcey. “As this generation moves quickly to adopt the most modern of digital applications like next-generation and mobile technologies, cybersecurity is an important strategic sector, representing huge opportunities and potential for economic growth that will benefit this region for years to come.”
DeCourcey attended for federal Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains, who is also the minister responsible for ACOA.
IBM Security will be the institute’s first partner in research and development.
“IBM is proud to be the institute’s first R&D partner and to help New Brunswick build towards a knowledge-based economy,” said Sandy Bird, chief technology officer of IBM Security. “The demand for highly skilled cybersecurity professionals is one of the biggest challenges to overcome in the industry today, and it is only expected to grow. Together, we are taking an active role in solving the existing skills gap in the province’s cybersecurity space, driving awareness to attract new talent and partnering with educators to provide next-generation training tools.”
Ali Ghorbani, Canada Research Chair in Cybersecurity at UNB and dean of the university’s computer science faculty, will serve as the institute’s founding director.
The institute, housed at existing campus facilities, will operate in close collaboration with researchers in the social sciences, business, computer science, engineering, law, and science, as well as other research centres.
MEDIA CONTACT(S):
Mary-Anne Hurley-Corbyn, communications, Opportunities NB, 506-476-7596, mary-anne.hurley-corbyn@onbcanada.ca.
Ann Kenney, communications, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, 506-452-3687, ann.kenney@canada.ca.
David Stonehouse, communications, University of New Brunswick, 506-458-7925, david.stonehouse@unb.ca.
Jinna Kim, communications, IBM, 905-316-2179, jinnak@ca.ibm.com.