Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at TMU to provide cybersecurity training in Ukraine
Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melanie Joly (centre), visited Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst in Brampton to learn more about a pilot training program for Ukrainians. She is pictured here with TMU President and Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Lachemi (left of Joly), Brampton South MP Sonia Sidhu (left of president Lachemi), Vice-President, Research and Innovation Steven N. Liss (right of Joly), and Executive Diretor of Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, Charles Finlay (right of Liss). Also pictured are Catalyst staff, alumni and partners.
Last week Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, Toronto Metropolitan University’s national centre for training, innovation and collaboration in cybersecurity, announced the launch of a pilot program that will train up to 100 Ukrainians (residing in Ukraine) to become cybersecurity professionals. The program will build Ukraine's technology sector and contribute to its economic reconstruction.
This important new program is being delivered in collaboration with Ukraine-based Information Systems Security Partners (ISSP) and the Ministry of Digital Transformation of the Government of Ukraine. It will provide foundational cybersecurity training to Ukrainians who have been displaced from previous employment by the war. Program participants will graduate with an internationally recognized cybersecurity certification.
“The Catalyst answered the call to support the economic reconstruction of Ukraine through its expertise and leadership in cybersecurity training,” said Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly, on a visit to Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst’s headquarters in Brampton. “We all have a duty to think of the future of Ukraine and our government looks forward to this pilot program’s success.”
Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst will support the delivery of this program by leveraging its substantial experience in providing leading cybersecurity workforce training programs in Canada. The Catalyst’s workforce training program for Canadian learners has graduated nearly 500 learners to-date, with graduates employed at more than 100 leading private and public sector organizations across Canada.
“We believe this program will have a positive impact on the Ukrainian economy as well as contribute to the long-term development of Ukraine’s cybersecurity sector,” said Charles Finlay, founding executive director of Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst. “We are committed to helping make this project a success and hope we can grow this program in the future.”
Recruitment for the program will open in Ukraine soon and once complete, the pilot will be evaluated for potential expansion to a larger cohort of Ukrainian learners.
For more information visit the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst website (external link) .