Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), IBM Canada and uOttawa Announce a Strategic Partnership to pioneer innovation for Ontario small businesses

October 31, 2024

Toronto, ON (October 29) – The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) announces a strategic partnership with the University of Ottawa and IBM under Ontario’s Critical Industrial Technologies Program.

“As an internationally recognized tech hub, academic-industry partnerships play a key role in driving the growth and development of Ontario’s innovation ecosystem,” said Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Our government is proud to support this new partnership between OCI, uOttawa and IBM as they continue to adopt, expand and commercialize innovative critical cybersecurity technologies.”

This partnership establishes the uOttawa-IBM Cyber Range as a Technology Development Site (TDS) to support Ontario based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt, test, integrate and demonstrate cybersecurity capabilities into their technologies across four key sectors.

“This ground-breaking partnership between IBM, OCI and the University of Ottawa represents a major step forward in supporting Ontario’s SMEs as they navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of critical technologies,” said Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation. “By providing access to the uOttawa-IBM Cyber Range, we are empowering small and medium-sized enterprises to accelerate the development and commercialization of cyber-secure solutions in sectors like advanced manufacturing, agri-food, mining and construction. This initiative underscores our commitment to fostering innovation that will drive Ontario’s economy and position us as a global leader in technology adoption.”

Set to transform the landscape of critical technology adoption and commercialization, the uOttawa-IBM Cyber Range offers SMEs an opportunity to respond to real-world cyber-threats and test and build their cyber resiliency. Open to all SMEs involved in OCI’s Critical Industrial Technologies Development and Commercialization Program and Technology Access Program, this initiative will support SMEs in the growth and cyber secureness.

“This partnership between IBM Canada, OCI, and the University of Ottawa is a testament to the power of public-private collaboration in driving technological innovation and cyber resiliency. By investing in the uOttawa-IBM Cyber Range, we are not only supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in Ontario but also fostering a culture of innovation and security that will further position our province as a global leader in technology adoption,” said Deb Pimentel, IBM Canada President. “At IBM, we are committed to fostering a safer and more secure digital world. Our investment in the uOttawa-IBM Cyber Range is a testament to this commitment, as it provides a unique platform for businesses and government organizations to better prepare for and strengthen defences against real-world cyber threats. Through initiatives like this, we aim to empower organizations to accelerate the development and commercialization of transformative solutions in critical sectors, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and secure global digital landscape.”

The uOttawa-IBM Cyber Range was launched last fall and is IBM’s first Cyber Range partnership on a Canadian university campus.  IBM operates three other Cyber Ranges located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Washington DC, and Bangalore, India. 

“The uOttawa-IBM Cyber Range is the first of its kind in Canada and the only one in the world with an academic-industry partnership,” said Julie St Pierre, Interim VP, Research and Innovation. “Thanks to the unique combination of IBM’s technical expertise and uOttawa’s research excellence, we are providing real-world, immersive training that will help Ontario’s business community better address cybersecurity threats.”

The uOttawa-IBM Cyber Range offers highly realistic cyber response training exercises to help businesses and government organizations across the country better prepare for and strengthen defences against real-world cyber threats, including how to plan, respond, manage, contain, and remediate cyberattacks.

“The uOttawa-IBM Cyber Range offers SMEs a unique opportunity to understand their cybersecurity gaps, learn how to protect themselves and respond to real world cyber threats,” said Philippa King, Assistant Vice President, Strategic Programs. “The partnership also supports SMEs in adopting, integrating and testing cybersecurity solutions.  Through this partnership CIT is supporting Ontario’s companies to invest in their cyber modernization today setting the foundation for sustainable growth and success in the future and keeping Ontario open for business.”

This initiative underscores the unique positioning of the University of Ottawa as a leader in cybersecurity. As Canada’s sole facility of its kind, the uOttawa-IBM Cyber Range is set to redefine SME engagement with critical technologies, reinforcing Ontario’s commitment to fostering innovation.

“This funding from OCI marks a significant milestone in our mission to bolster SMEs in Ontario, equipping them with the tools and expertise necessary to thrive in the rapidly evolving landscape of critical technologies,” stated Professor Guy-Vincent Jourdan, uOttawa-IBM Cyber Range Co-Director. “The uOttawa-IBM Cyber Range is a testament to our commitment to supporting local businesses and fostering innovation, and cybersecurity awareness and training.”

Media Contact
Alicia Pereira
apereira@oc-innovation.ca

About the Ontario Centre of Innovation
The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) brings industry, academic, and government partners together to invest in collaborative R&D, technology development, and commercialization opportunities that generate the highest return on innovation for Ontarians.

As an ecosystem connector, OCI initiates unparalleled partnership opportunities, develops, and manages successful industry-academic collaborations, supports high-potential SMEs in commercializing ground-breaking research, and provides hands-on training and skills development opportunities for the next generation of highly skilled talent.

OCI drives economic growth and job creation through investments in the development, commercialization, and adoption of advanced technologies.

For more information: https://www.oc-innovation.ca