Fredericton Solidifies Status as Cybersecurity Hub with New Government Investment
Atlantic Canada is quickly becoming a hub of cybersecurity and setting examples for the rest of the country.
Opportunities New Brunswick has announced a $3.1 million investment from the government of Canada to establish critical infrastructure and an innovation and testing centre at Fredericton’s Knowledge Park. This new Cybersecurity Innovation Centre will allow local New Brunswick companies and researchers to keep up with the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape and ensure they are able to scale and grow with a global community.
“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the development of cybersecurity solutions, education, and infrastructure,” said Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. “That is why we’re working closely with provincial partners, industry, and academia to help build a strong and responsive cybersecurity industry in Atlantic Canada and across the country.”
As an organization, Opportunities New Brunswick connects local and worldwide businesses to the advantages the province has to offer. Over the past year, one of those key advantages has been New Brunswick’s increasing dedication to cybersecurity. The Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity is located at the University of New Brunswick’s Fredericton campus, and earlier this year TD Bank announced they would be a founding corporate member. The CIC is a multidisciplinary training, research and development institute that works with researchers in multiple fields, as well as other national and international centres.
In addition, Siemens recently announced they would be opening a cybersecurity lab in the province’s capital, hiring up to 60 experts for the potential global export of locally created internet protocol, methods and technology.
“Fredericton is being recognized internationally as a hub for cybersecurity excellence,” said Stephen Horsman, Deputy Premier for New Brunswick. “Strategic investments and partnerships between the federal and provincial governments in high growth sectors like cybersecurity show the government’s commitment to bringing innovation and growth to our province on behalf of New Brunswick’s working families.”
Cybersecurity has become a massive talking point at all levels of government in the past six months. Earlier in the summer, Canada released its national cybersecurity strategy, outlining ways to prevent hacks and cyber attacks while also placing an emphasis on innovation and preparedness in the field.
“Cyber security is not only a challenge, but an opportunity,” said Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness when the report was released. “Virtually every aspect of our modern lives depends on information technology.”
