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Nov. 21, 2024

԰ receives nearly $7 million from National Cybersecurity Consortium

Investment part of national initiative to spur cross-sectoral collaboration, drive economic growth and deepen knowledge of key technologies
A man in a suit stands in front of a class giving a lecture
The CATE Centre consists of labs and classrooms designed to emulate complex, real-world digital scenarios and enterprises. ԰ files

Eight projects at the University of Calgary have received nearly $7 million from the (NCC) as the post-secondary institution emerges as a rising star in the cyber landscape.

The NCC is working to grow a pan-Canadian network with private and public sectors to lead innovation and talent development and increase economic activity.

“Cybersecurity is more than just a shield for our digital assets; it’s a cornerstone for commercial innovation, economic growth and societal trust,” François-Phillippe Champagne, federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, said in a news release last month.

across the country to develop cybersecurity-related training to help varied industries, take innovative projects to market, and support research and development across Canada.

“The National Cybersecurity Consortium’s $22.8-million investment is a critical contribution to the Canadian cybersecurity community that will facilitate cross-sectoral collaborations, drive economic growth, and establish or deepen our knowledge of core technologies that protect Canadians,” says Dr. Ken Barker, BSc'82, MSc'84, PhD, NCC scientific director.

A man in a light suit

Herbert Fensury, CEO of ENFOCOM Cyber.

The eight projects at ԰ were in the Faculty of Science, the Schulich School of Engineering and the Faculty of Law:  

  • CyberGuardian: Bridging the Cybersecurity Enforcement Training Gap – $1 million

    This project addresses the escalating challenge of cybercrimes by enhancing the proficiency of law enforcement officers.

  • IntruderInsight: Elevating Cyber Attribution with AI Insights – $2 million

    This project addresses the challenge of attribution due to increasing threats in digital systems. It will benefit government, law enforcement and private organizations involved in cybersecurity.

  • Authentication for Quantum-Enabled Secure Communication – $940,000

    Given the rapid progress in quantum technologies, there is an urgent need to develop cryptographic solutions that remain secure against quantum-enabled attackers.

  • Toward a Secure User-Centric Green Credit Management System – $561,000

    Climate change presents an unprecedented global challenge that demands immediate action. This project will incentivize individuals and corporations through credit systems.

  • Ostrich Accounting: Dotting I’s and Crossing T’s with your Head in the Sand – $500,000

    Digital privacy and legal compliance pose increasing challenges, so this project proposes a groundbreaking solution: leveraging secure multiparty computation (MPC) technology to empower organizations to address intricate legal obligations.

  • Protecting Democracy from Cyber Threats – $500,000

    This project provides a comprehensive and current understanding of the role, influence and impact of human factors on the cybersecurity of democratic elections in Canada.

  • Adaptive Decision Defense System: A Proactive Approach to Detecting and Mitigating Dual Denial of Decision Attacks in Critical Infrastructure – $496,800

    This project develops an Adaptive Decision Defense System (ADDS) to bolster the cybersecurity of Critical Infrastructures (CI) against sophisticated and evolving threats.

  • IncidentSync: Bridging IT and Law Enforcement – $1 million

    This project facilitates collaboration between private organizations and law enforcement agencies for cyber-incident investigations.

Three of the eight ԰ projects are connected to the .

The centre is honoured to receive $4 million, says Herbert Fensury, CEO of .

“The funding will propel us forward in these key projects addressing urgent cybersecurity needs nationwide,” he says.

Fensury says there’s a total of 25 partners involved in that work.

“԰ will be involved in all three projects, positioning Calgary as a hub of cybersecurity advancement and innovation in Canada,” he adds. “Together, we are creating a launch pad for learning, discovery and entrepreneurial success that fuels cybersecurity progress across sectors.”

԰ joined forces with ENFOCOM and Raytheon Canada 

It features a scalable cyber range, the only one of its kind in Alberta, that can simulate digital environments, systems, threats and defences.

Led and managed by industry experts, it’s a critical institution for cyber security and research.

The is also the first , the world’s leading cybersecurity credentialling organization. Through that partnership, students will be able to complete the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) credential alongside their academic career.

Last year, ԰’s also received more than $900,000 in funding from NCC for a project to train future lawyers, legal academics and policy experts to advise on law and policy issues related to cybersecurity concerns.

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