BlackBerry Partners with Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitan University To Bolster Cybersecurity Skills in Malaysia

New cybersecurity leadership program to be offered under the BlackBerry Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (CCoE) in Kuala Lumpur, with full-tuition scholarships available for women

BlackBerry Limited and Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst announced a new partnership that, for the first time, will offer the Catalyst's world-class CLIC (Certifications for Leadership in Cybersecurity) program in Malaysia.  To help close the gender gap in the Malaysian cyber industry and support career growth for Malaysian women, the Catalyst is also teaming up with SANS Institute to provide full CLIC scholarships to three qualified Malaysian women candidates. The CLIC Malaysia program will commence in May 2024, with registration now open.

As BlackBerry prepares to officially open its new Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (CCoE) in Kuala Lumpur on March 26, this new partnership with the Catalyst will advance BlackBerry's commitment to support Malaysia and other countries in the Indo-Pacific region and bolster these nations' cybersecurity capacity and resilience.

CLIC is an intensive, six-month cybersecurity training and certification program designed to provide the skills needed to launch or elevate a career in cybersecurity. The program allows graduates to earn two globally recognized SANS GIAC (Global Information Assurance) certifications. Participants will also benefit from access to the Catalyst Cyber Range, (a unique cybersecurity training and testing platform), gain career mentorship from leading cyber experts, and training across wider skill sets including cybersecurity ethics, organizational strategy, regulatory compliance, and translating cyber risk into business risk.

"Toronto Metropolitan University is thrilled to support its national cybersecurity center, the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, as it expands its cutting-edge training programs to Malaysia," said Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice-Chancellor, Toronto Metropolitan University. "As we continue to champion global cyber resilience, this exciting venture reinforces our commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and excellence in cybersecurity. Together with BlackBerry, we are shaping a secure digital future for individuals and organizations worldwide."

This new partnership with the Catalyst is another milestone in BlackBerry's landmark cybersecurity deal with the Government of Malaysia, announced at the APEC Summit in San Francisco in November 2023. BlackBerry also recently partnered with SANS Institute to offer a range of SANS courses at the BlackBerry Malaysia CCoE, which have already commenced. BlackBerry and its partners will showcase the wide range of courses and certifications on offer at the state-of-the-art CCoE facility when it officially opens its doors next week.  

John Dimitropoulos, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, Strategy, and Business Development at BlackBerry concluded, "BlackBerry's new partnership with Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst represents a significant development in our long-term commitment to help Malaysia build cybersecurity capacity and fortify digital defenses. Expanding upon our recent SANS Institute partnership, we are offering Malaysia's cyber workforce unprecedented access to globally certified training courses and networking events through our BlackBerry Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in Kuala Lumpur to expand the cyber talent pool, upskill workforces and support a thriving ecosystem of learning."

Matthias Chia, Director of Strategy & Business Development, Asia Pacific, SANS Institute added, "At the forefront of cybersecurity workforce development, SANS proudly pioneers extensive initiatives that carve out opportunities for women aiming for career advancement within this critically in-demand field. Our partnership with Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst to introduce these scholarships for women through the BlackBerry Cybersecurity Center of Excellence signifies a profound step forward in our unwavering commitment to cultivating gender diversity within the cybersecurity realm. This initiative not only champions the professional development of Malaysia's female cyber-warriors but also sets a benchmark for inclusive excellence in cybersecurity education and career readiness globally."