Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange and Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst partner in $10M program to fuel cybersecurity innovation in Ontario

The Ontario Cybersecurity Excellence Initiative (OCEI) (CNW Group/Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitan University)

OTTAWA and BRAMPTON — Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange (CCTX) and Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitan University (the Catalyst) announced the Ontario Cybersecurity Excellence Initiative (OCEI).

This initiative is funded by $5 million from the Government of Ontario’s Critical Technology Initiatives (CTI) program, which drives the use of critical technologies by Ontario companies and enables the development and adoption of innovative made-in-Ontario solutions. The government’s contribution was announced by Honourable Victor Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, in Ottawa today.

The funding from the Government of Ontario will combine with $3.8 million provided to Brampton-based Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst by Rogers Communications, to enable the implementation and delivery of OCEI. Other in-kind contributions will bring the program total to $10 million over three years.

OCEI will activate new streams of programming at the Catalyst that will:

• Provide technology startups to solve key cybersecurity-related challenges in Ontario’s critical sectors, driving new made-in-Ontario security solutions;
• Train small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ontario – in particular those SMEs that are working in critical sectors – to adopt and integrate cybersecurity technologies into their products and processes, driving their competitiveness and ability to access international supply chains.

The programs will be free to participating companies and individuals. Additionally, they will leverage membership within CCTX to give participants exposure to the Canadian cybersecurity threat landscape.

“Ontario is one of the largest tech hubs in North America and critical technologies like cybersecurity fuel and drive made-in-Ontario innovation as companies include new technologies in their products,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Our government is proud to support CCTX’s work to help businesses across the province develop and adopt new-generation cybersecurity technology so they can become more competitive, grow and create more good-paying jobs.”