August 28, 2017, FREDERICTON (GNB) – Cybersecurity, already a billion-dollar industry, is expected to double in size over the next five years and the provincial government believes New Brunswick is in a strong position to be part of that growth.
“New Brunswick has developed a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy,” said Economic Development Minister Francine Landry, who is also the minister responsible for Opportunities NB. “Our province has a burgeoning technology sector and is home to innovative post-secondary institutions, as well as one of Canada’s largest military bases.”
Landry said these factors will allow the New Brunswick Economic Growth Plan for cybersecurity to focus on consolidating the province’s role as the Canadian epicentre for cybersecurity and aligning educational assets to support cross-sector development of opportunities. To help make that happen, the government created CyberNB.
“CyberNB is a strategic economic development initiative spearheaded by Opportunities NB and headed by cybersecurity expert Allen Dillon,” said Landry. “The initiative encompasses research and post-secondary education, startups and new products, physical infrastructure, digital infrastructure and workforce development.”
Billions of cybersecurity events are monitored every day in more than 130 countries. Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing technology-based industries in the world.
“We look forward to working together to develop a dynamic cybersecurity cluster that attracts investment from around the world and provides good-quality career opportunities for New Brunswickers,” said Landry.
The cybersecurity strategy has been developed with industry leaders, academia and government. It is a growth strategy aimed at creating high-value jobs and is intended to have a positive impact on the province’s GDP over the next five years.
MEDIA CONTACT(S):
Carolyn McCormack, communications, Opportunities NB, 506-453-8168.