BlackBerry welcomes Canada’s support to enhance cyber resilience in SEA via Malaysian Cybersecurity Center of Excellence

• In collaboration with Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada will invest $3.9M CAD
• International destination to address cyber threats, coordinate regional incident response

At the APEC Leaders’ Summit last week, NYSE-listed BlackBerry Ltd, expressed its gratitude for the Government of Canada’s announcement to invest Canadian $3.9 million (RM12.48 million) in Malaysia. The funding will support cybersecurity training programs and threat intelligence initiatives aimed at strengthening capacity building and enhancing overall cyber resilience in Southeast Asia. 

Canada’s support will be delivered by BlackBerry in partnership with the Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU’s) Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, with a goal to train 3,500 cyber-defenders from Malaysia and other ASEAN members. Aligned with Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, the initiative establishes Malaysia as a hub of regional cybersecurity excellence in Southeast Asia, said BlackBerry in a statement.

Support from the Government of Canada will include the design, development, and delivery of a comprehensive cybersecurity curriculum, including dedicated programs for women, expanding what is already on offer at the world-class Malaysia Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (CCoE) established in Cyberjaya together with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

The aim is to help more men and women take advantage of the region’s most in-demand cybersecurity roles and establish the CCoE as a regional destination for learning and intelligence-sharing, 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 at the Malaysia CCoE will include role-based education and specialist tracks as well as certifications in Cybersecurity and Women in Cybersecurity leadership courses. In line with Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, which aims to invest in and connect people, funding from the Government will also support scholarships and bursaries for Malaysians and regional participants to enroll in courses at the CCoE and earn globally recognized industry certifications in cybersecurity. 

Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim during the opening of the center on March 26 in Cyberjaya, said, “Being more than a facility to help train and upskill our national cyber workforce, the Cyber Security Center of Excellence has the potential to be an international destination to address emerging cyber threats. We can bring together Malaysian and Canadian universities, research institutions and skilled practitioners to share knowledge, threat intelligence and jointly develop methods and strategies to strengthen national and regional cyber-resilience.”

Justin Trudeau (pic), Prime Minister of Canada said, “Cybersecurity is a pillar of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. With our government’s investment in Malaysia’s Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in collaboration with BlackBerry, Canada will share cyber-expertise, train the cyber workforce across ASEAN countries, increase public-private sector collaboration, and strengthen our collective capacity to counter, deter and respond to cyber threats.”

BlackBerry CEO, John Giamatteo, added, “BlackBerry is honored to partner with the Governments of Malaysia, Canada, and Toronto Metropolitan University’s Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst to establish the Malaysia Cybersecurity Center of Excellence. This world-class facility helps train and upskill Malaysian and regional cyber workforces, and is also an international destination to address emerging cyber threats and coordinate regional incident response. In a growing digital economy, no matter how advanced your cybersecurity arsenal is, nations must have a well-trained cyber-workforce to bolster their front lines of defense.”

"We are delighted that Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitan University is partnering with the Government of Canada and BlackBerry to deliver cybersecurity skills training in this vital region for international security, which now more than ever must include technology security," said Dr Mohamed Lachemi, Toronto Metropolitan University's President and Vice Chancellor.

The news comes twelve months after BlackBerry and the Malaysian Government announced a long-term software and services agreement designed to strengthen the nation’s cybersecurity posture and upskill regional digital workforces with advanced cybersecurity technology and training at a dedicated facility. 

For currently available course information at the CCoE, please visit here.