Enabling collaboration between government, academia and industry partners
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, 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