IBM Canada teaming up with uOttawa to launch cybersecurity hub

By Mike Vlasveld

IBM Canada and the University of Ottawa are looking to address critical government, public, and private sector needs for advanced cybersecurity.

A new partnership, announced this week, will be specializing in research, solutions, skills, and services. IBM is expected to provide research support and substantial access to special data sets, software, and resources for the school.

Based at uOttawa, a new cybersecurity hub will look to deliver critical security innovation, training, and expertise, in both official languages, to help grow Canada’s skilled cybersecurity workforce and to develop and apply new and improved approaches to protect the public from cyber threats and attacks.

With further focus on collaborative research and security innovation, the university said the hub will pair IBM’s technology expertise in data analytics, deep learning, software, and systems with uOttawa’s research, training, and teaching strengths in disciplines that underpin cybersecurity and cyber safety, ranging from engineering to ethics and law. 

There are also plans to develop a space where students, researchers, and professionals can gain experience with the latest techniques for detecting and defending against cyber attacks.

“The University of Ottawa is delighted to partner with IBM on cybersecurity and cyber safety, a national strategic priority,” said Sylvain Charbonneau, Vice-President, Research. “Joining the expertise of our researchers with that of industry will enhance Canada’s ability to successfully prevent and counter cyber breaches.”

The hub will host and exchange senior technical and research staff with the nearby IBM Ottawa Lab site and will work in close collaboration with IBM Security experts located elsewhere in Canada (Fredericton, Toronto) and around the world (Germany, Ireland, Israel, United States).

“Concern over threats to cybersecurity is escalating, especially when it comes to keeping the information of Canadians secure,” said Steve Astorino, Vice President of Development, Data and AI, Hybrid Data Management and Canada Lab Director. “The work IBM and uOttawa are undertaking will enable both public and private organizations to develop and apply new and improved approaches to protect the public from cyber threats and attacks. Most importantly, this cybersecurity hub will create a nucleus of both skilled and reskilled government and industry professionals essential for the digital safety and security of Canadians.”

The uOttawa hub for cybersecurity and cyber safety will build on the foundation of 11 years of successful collaboration between IBM and the school, related to software security testing, advanced forensics, cybercrime prevention, counter-cybercrime, and scam prevention.

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