National tech industry association launches cybersecurity Alliance to build talent in Canada

Mississauga, ON (May 15, 2019) – The Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) is pleased to announce the launch of the Cybersecurity Talent Alliance (CTA). Developed in collaboration with Canadian leaders in technology and education, the Alliance will address the growing need for cyber professionals across Canada. The mandate is to bring awareness of Canada’s cyber talent needs, and to encourage students from a young age to incorporate tech-related learning into their studies. This will be accomplished through programs and innovative tools that enhance recruitment, hiring practices and the development and retention of cybersecurity talent.

The formation of the Alliance is part of a larger ITAC initiative, the result of a three-year $1.9M grant through the Government of Canada’s Employment Social Development Canada (ESDC) ministry that will look at the development of a skills framework for cybersecurity, as well as associated certification and program accreditation standards, and workforce development tools and outreach activities to assist both skilled tech-
related professionals and employers. ITAC will also conduct research to review the state of artificial intelligence (AI)-related education in Canada, with a view to developing a growth strategy for the undergraduate type talent pipeline, through the over-arching initiative and grant.

Partners in the Alliance include:

• Canadian Centre for Cyber Security – Angela McAllister, Supervisor, Academic Outreach and Engagement
• Canadian Chamber of Commerce - Leah Nord, Director, Skills and Immigration Policy
• Canadian Nuclear Laboratories – Dave Trask, Principal Engineer
• CyberNB, a special operating agency of Opportunities NB – Tyson Johnson, Chief Operating Officer
• Cybersecure Catalyst at Ryerson University – Charles Finlay, Executive Director
• Cybersecurity Technology Transfer Center, Cyber Quebec - François Perron, Directeur du CCTT en cybersécurité
• Digital Nova Scotia - Ulrike Bahr-Gedalia, former President and CEO
• Economic and Social Development Canada – Dan Heard, Senior Policy Analyst
• Information Technology Association of Canada – Angela Mondou, President and CEO
• Information Technology Association of Canada – Randy Purse, Director, Cybersecurity Standards, ITAC Talent
• Public Safety Canada - Emmanuel St-Aubin, Director, Policy and Issues Management National Cyber Security Directorate
• Quantum-Safe Canada – Bill Munson, Director, Research and Policy Analysis
• Smart Cybersecurity Network (SERENE-RISC) - Nafi Niang, Executive Director
• University of Waterloo, Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) – Michele Mosca, Professor

For more information visit the ITAC Talent website.

Quotes

In collaboration with industry, academic and government leaders, this Alliance will focus on developing and promoting a partner ecosystem for cybersecurity education, training and workforce development. Canada’s need for qualified cybersecurity workers is growing exponentially, and our schools are struggling to keep up with the rapidly evolving field. There’s stiff competition for talent, and businesses need to adapt and broaden their recruitment efforts. This Alliance will help to address both talent development and employer needs, establishing a Canadian talent pipeline that will help drive a successful economy. Angela Mondou, President and CEO, ITAC

We are pleased to partner with ITAC to increase Canada’s digital literacy rate through the initiatives of the Cybersecurity Talent Alliance. There is a growing need for cybersecurity professionals in Canada; the benefit of youth digital literacy is the awakening of young talented Canadians to future career opportunities in cybersecurity. As the size of the digital economy grows and more devices become connected, the number of new positions to be created to support digital security increases as well. Stephen Lund, CEO Opportunities NB /CyberNB