Ryerson’s Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst kicks off the year with two announcements

It has been a busy start to the year for the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst (external link)  at Ryerson. 

The Catalyst is the university’s centre for training, innovation and collaboration in cybersecurity. It offers a wide range of services including cybersecurity training and certification programs, a commercial accelerator for cybersecurity scale-ups, public education programs and even a policy development platform. This year, they continue to add to the list. 

Cybersecurity network funded by feds

In February, the National Cybersecurity Consortium (NCC), which the Catalyst is a founding member of, was appointed to lead the Government of Canada's new Cyber Security Innovation Network (CSIN). The NCC was established in 2020 by centres of cybersecurity expertise at five universities (Concordia University, Ryerson University, University of Calgary, University of New Brunswick and University of Waterloo) to harness a network effect that will advance innovation and talent development and increase economic activity in the Canadian cyber industry. 

Canada’s federal government has given the NCC $80 million in funding to lead the CSIN. This funding will enhance research and development, increase commercialization and develop skilled cybersecurity talent through partnerships between the academic, public and private sectors from across Canada. 

“The Cyber Security Innovation Network will not only help drive Canada’s prosperity, security and innovation but also help build a nation of cyber security trailblazers,” said minister François-Philippe Champagne in a statement. 

Under leadership from the NCC, the network is set to become a major national platform to advance Canadian leadership in cybersecurity and prioritize the advancement of diversity in Canadian cybersecurity through its funded programs.

Two new training programs

Since it was founded in 2019, the Catalyst has been a leader in promoting diversity in the cybersecurity sector. Through the Accelerated Cybersecurity Training Program, people from diverse backgrounds are given the training and skills needed to enter and succeed in the sector. 

Last week, the Catalyst and Mastercard announced two new training programs designed to foster inclusivity and diversity in the sector. With a $1.25 million investment from Mastercard, the two programs are:

• The Mastercard Emerging Leaders in Cyber Initiative, a unique leadership program designed to support the development of female-identifying executive leaders in cybersecurity; and

• The Mastercard Cyber Range Capstone Program, an experiential learning program designed to provide learners from demographic groups that are underrepresented in the cybersecurity sector, and who have been or are currently enrolled in the Catalyst’s Accelerated Cybersecurity Training Program, with additional, hands-on cybersecurity training. This will include learners who identify as female, new Canadians and those who are unemployed or underemployed.

The Emerging Leaders course will launch in fall 2022, with applications expected to open this spring. The Capstone Program is open to current and past learners from the Catalyst’s Accelerated Cybersecurity Training Program.

For more information, visit the Catalyst website (external link) .