- Aiming to bolster cybersecurity in Southeast Asia, the Government of Canada, in collaboration with Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), announced a C$3.9 million investment in the Malaysia Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (CCoE)
- The announcement was made during the APEC Leaders’ Summit, where BlackBerry’s (TSX:BB) team expressed gratitude for the support
- Delivered by BlackBerry, the initiative aims to train 3,500 cyber-defenders from Malaysia and other Association of Southeast Asian Nations member countries
- BlackBerry stock (TSX:BB) last traded at C$3.33
Aiming to bolster cybersecurity in Southeast Asia, the Government of Canada, in collaboration with Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), announced a C$3.9 million investment in the Malaysia Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (CCoE). This initiative aims to enhance cybersecurity partnerships and expertise in the region through skills training.
The announcement was made during the APEC Leaders’ Summit, where BlackBerry’s (TSX:BB) team expressed gratitude for the support. The funding will facilitate the development of cybersecurity training programs and threat intelligence initiatives, focusing on capacity building and overall cyber resilience across Southeast Asia.
Delivered by BlackBerry in partnership with TMU’s Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, the initiative aims to train 3,500 cyber-defenders from Malaysia and other ASEAN member countries. This effort aligns with Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, positioning Malaysia as a regional hub for cybersecurity excellence.
The Government of Canada’s support will encompass the design and delivery of a robust cybersecurity curriculum. This expansion will enhance the offerings at the CCoE, which is already recognized as a world-class facility in Cyberjaya. The goal is to empower more individuals to pursue in-demand cybersecurity roles and establish the CCoE as a premier destination for learning and intelligence-sharing.
“Cybersecurity is a pillar of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a news release. “It is also a shared challenge that countries around the world need to tackle together. With our government’s investment in Malaysia’s Cybersecurity Centrr 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.”
Courses funded by the Government of Canada will include role-based education, specialist tracks, and certifications for leadership in cybersecurity, with a particular focus on women in cybersecurity leadership. Scholarships and bursaries will also be available for Malaysians and regional participants to enroll in these courses, enabling them to earn globally recognized industry certifications.
“As the beating heart of the region’s cyber-threat defense capabilities, 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,” BlackBerry CEO, John Giamatteo, added. “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.”
This announcement follows a long-term software and services agreement between BlackBerry and the Malaysian Government, aimed at strengthening the nation’s cybersecurity posture and enhancing the skills of the regional workforce. The Malaysia CCoE, developed in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, officially opened its doors on March 26, 2024.
As digital threats continue to rise, this investment underscores the importance of global public-private sector collaboration in safeguarding cybersecurity and enhancing national security across the region.
BlackBerry provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company secures more than 500 million endpoints including more than 235 million vehicles.
BlackBerry stock (TSX:BB) last traded at C$3.33. Though it has lost 29.15 per cent since the beginning of the year, its stock has risen 4.39 per cent over the past three months.
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(Top image: The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, and to the left, the Hon. Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development. Source: Adam Scotti / BlackBerry.)