Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange and Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst invest $10M in Ontario’s cybersecurity innovation

Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange (CCTX) and Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitan University (the Catalyst) launched the Ontario Cybersecurity Excellence Initiative (OCEI) – an effort to drive Ontario’s cyber competitiveness and resilience in six key sectors: advanced manufacturing, automotive, life sciences, mining, law enforcement and smart infrastructure.

The Government of Ontario’s Critical Technology Initiatives (CTI) program is funding this initiative with $5 million. The provincial funding 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.

“CCTX is delighted to join forces with the Catalyst to launch the Ontario Cybersecurity Excellence Initiative,” said Jennifer Quaid, executive director of CCTX. “This partnership is a unique opportunity to pool our expertise, resources and networks within the cybersecurity ecosystem to help foster a technologically advanced economy in Ontario, secured by best-in-class cybersecurity products and processes.”

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

1. Empower technology startups to solve key cybersecurity-related challenges in Ontario’s critical sectors, driving new made-in-Ontario security solutions;
2. 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.