May 7, 2018, FREDERICTON (GNB) – CyberNB, a special operating agency of Opportunities NB, will host its second international cybersecurity skills and workforce development summit, CyberSmart, May 15-16 in Fredericton.

“Being the only event of its kind in North America, we are bringing together people who want to find solutions and find them by working together,” said Economic Development Minister Francine Landry, who is also the minister responsible for Opportunities NB. “With New Brunswick’s burgeoning cybersecurity cluster, we have a comprehensive strategy for both long-term and short-term talent development. This is a key value to operating in New Brunswick.”

CyberSmart brings together representatives of industry, academia and government to discuss the global shortage of cybersecurity professionals and how to collaborate to develop more talent in this field. The summit attracts more than 300 delegates from Australia, the Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom and across Canada and the United States. Speakers represent the United States Department of Homeland Security, Cyber Australia, Serene-Risc, Burning Glass, the Information and Communications Technology Council, the Secretariat of the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise and other organizations.

Topics will include:

  • international cyber readiness and lessons for Canada
  • international collaboration in cybersecurity skills standards
  • cybercrime and the future
  • trends in workforce development
  • building cyber and digital literacy in our youth

“According to Cybersecurity Ventures, cybercrime is expected to reach $6 trillion by 2020,” said Landry. “Our entire economy is now online, and it is imperative that we work together to develop more people with the right skills and experience.”

The keynote speaker for the summit is Melissa Hathaway, who served as the cybersecurity advisor for United States presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

The summit will also feature the inaugural CyberTitan National Championship on May 16. Ten teams from across Canada, including three from New Brunswick, will participate in a 12-hour competition to test their critical thinking and their level of cybersecurity comprehension.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Eric Lewis, communications, Opportunities NB, 506-866-6938, Eric.Lewis@onbcanada.ca.