Catalyst Cyber Clinic
Free, actionable cybersecurity support for non-profits and other community organizations, delivered by trained cybersecurity consultants
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What is the Catalyst Cyber Clinic?
One of the first of its kind in Canada, the Catalyst Cyber Clinic provides free cybersecurity support for Canadian non-profits and community organizations that may lack access to dedicated security resources. The initiative helps to expand access to non-profit cybersecurity support in Canada.
The Clinic is staffed by trained cybersecurity learners and new professionals. Clinic consultants hold industry-recognized certifications, and the Clinic is an opportunity to build their careers through hands-on cybersecurity consulting for charities and mission-driven organizations.
Non-profits, in turn, get actionable support to improve their security, including a documented Cybersecurity Action Plan outlining recommended security improvements and next steps.
Program Benefits
- Hands-On Expertise: Practical, real-world experience for trained cybersecurity learners and new professionals
- Nationwide Access: Empowering under-resourced organizations across Canada
- No-Cost Support: FREE action plan and next steps for eligible organizations
Why Cybersecurity Support Matters for Non-profits
Non-profits face many of the same cyber threats as other organizations, including phishing, fraud, and ransomware, with AI making some attacks more convincing and easier to scale. But they often have fewer resources to address these risks.
Common constraints:
- Dedicated cybersecurity resources — Small teams may not have security staff or regular access to specialized expertise.
- Funding — Security investments compete with program delivery and other organizational priorities.
- Technology — Organizations may rely on older systems or software that can be more difficult to maintain and secure.
The Catalyst Cyber Clinic helps non-profits assess their cybersecurity, prioritize risks, and develop practical recommendations suited to their needs and resources.
How the Catalyst Cyber Clinic works
Trained cybersecurity learners and new professionals are specially trained to support non-profits in various roles over a 4–6 week period.
Clinic clients receive free cybersecurity help for non-profits from a team of consultants for 4–6 weeks, including a needs assessment and a tailored Cybersecurity Action Plan.
Cybersecurity industry experts supervise Consultant teams to ensure a high-quality experience and actionable recommendations.
Our Impact
The Catalyst Cyber Clinic is designed to create a measurable impact for both participating organizations and cybersecurity professionals.
Consultant voices
The Catalyst Cyber Clinic is a truly unparalleled experience for those seeking to gain exposure to the cybersecurity industry and dipping their toes in a real-world experience while making an impact at the same time.
This was a game changer for me. I truly feel like I can now say “I’m a cybersecurity practitioner.”
I want to be clear about this: I got [my] job because of the Clinic. The experience I built here made it happen.
The Catalyst Cyber Clinic didn’t just sharpen my technical skills – it expanded my mindset. I’m walking away more confident, more capable, and ready to make an impact.
This program was incredibly impactful, giving me the chance to apply my cybersecurity skills in a real-world setting while contributing to meaningful work for an organization.
Client voices
For anyone not trained in cybersecurity, it can be overwhelming knowing where to start. The program gave us the tools and a place to start where we are most vulnerable.
Working with the Cyber Catalyst Clinic to complete a Cybersecurity Action Plan helped save our agency countless hours of work on a complex issue by guiding us through a relatively easy and streamlined process to identify areas of improvement and provide clear and concrete action steps for us to work on next.
It gave our team the confidence and tools to protect client information, improve internal systems, and respond to digital threats with clarity.
The Cyber Clinic helped reaffirm and validate my understanding of the strengths of our IT Systems, and also provided excellent feedback on areas to improve and grow from. The team was communicative and engaging.
Who can participate in the Catalyst Cyber Clinic?
To participate in the Catalyst Cyber Clinic, you must be one of the following:
- A non-profit Canadian organization in need of cybersecurity help, identified by one of the Clinic’s referral partners
- A trained cybersecurity learner from an approved program
- An industry expert who is a member of the Catalyst community and looking to mentor current consultants
FAQs
Is the Catalyst Cyber Clinic accepting applications?
Eligible applicants will be contacted directly by the Catalyst Cyber Clinic and/or our referral partners. Application is by invitation at this moment. Regrettably, we are unable to consider unsolicited applications.
Who is eligible to participate in the Cyber Clinic?
The Cyber Clinic is designed for under-resourced non-profit and community organizations across Canada that may not have access to dedicated cybersecurity expertise. Eligible organizations are those seeking practical, structured support to improve their cybersecurity posture and reduce digital risk.
What are the benefits for trained cybersecurity learners and new professionals serving as Clinic Consultants?
The Cyber Clinic provides trained cybersecurity learners and new professionals with hands-on experience addressing real-world cybersecurity challenges. This practical exposure strengthens their professional development and supports workforce readiness in a rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.
What outcomes can organizations expect from participating?
Organizations can expect a clearer understanding of their cybersecurity risks, practical recommendations tailored to their operational environment, and a structured Cybersecurity Action Plan.
Does the Cyber Clinic provide support after a cyberattack?
The Clinic offers guidance on incident preparedness and response planning. While it is not a replacement for emergency response services, it equips organizations with the knowledge to respond effectively to a cyber incident and understand next steps, including reporting and recovery considerations.
Is there a cost to participate in the Cyber Clinic?
The Cyber Clinic provides eligible organizations with cybersecurity support and a documented Cybersecurity Action Plan at no cost.
How long will it take to prepare and submit an application?
If you have the key information about your organization available, you should be able to complete the application in 30 minutes or less.
Get involved in the Catalyst Cyber Clinic
Eligible applicants will be contacted directly by the Catalyst Cyber Clinic and/or our referral partners. Application is by invitation at this moment. Regrettably, we are unable to consider unsolicited applications.
Register your interest or contact The Catalyst to learn more about upcoming opportunities.