February 20, 2024 (Brampton, ON) – Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitan University (“the Catalyst”) and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (“AMO”) are thrilled to announce a new partnership providing targeted cybersecurity training for municipal leaders and staff across Ontario.
The municipal sector is among the most vulnerable targets for cyberattacks due to the sensitive data it holds and the critical infrastructure it maintains. In the face of these challenges, it is vital that municipal leaders and staff understand their roles in ensuring the cyber resilience of their organizations, and in navigating potential security incidents. This partnership between AMO and the Catalyst will help elected officials and municipal staff better understand the cybersecurity landscape and make crucial decisions related to preventing, preparing for and responding to cyber threats.
A number of workshops designed for elected officials and municipal staff (such as Chief Administration Officers and Risk Managers) will be offered by AMO in the coming months. These training sessions, designed by AMO and Catalyst, will provide municipal leaders and staff with the knowledge that will help them better engage in cybersecurity preparedness and resilience, improve their own personal cybersecurity, and advance their efforts to keep their constituents cybersafe.
“Cyberattacks are a rapidly growing concern for municipalities in Ontario. We are proud to partner with the Catalyst to offer our members practical and relevant cybersecurity training that will support them in protecting their communities in the face of this pressing issue,” said AMO President Colin Best.
“We are excited to partner with AMO to support municipalities in dealing with this serious and growing threat,” said Charles Finlay, Founding Executive Director of Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst. “Together we will work to ensure that municipal leaders and staff have the right training to defend themselves from cyber attacks, and recover from breaches.”
“Having lived through a cyber attack during my time as Mayor of Stratford, I know first-hand how important it is for municipal leaders to have access to relevant cyber training and support,” said Dan Mathieson, Special Advisor, Office of the President of Toronto Metropolitan University. “Together, TMU and the Catalyst are committed to crucial partnerships like these that support municipalities.”
Register now for the AMO-Catalyst Cybersecurity for Municipal Councillors Training Session.
About AMO
The Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) works to make municipal governments stronger and more effective. AMO brings together Ontario’s 444 municipalities to achieve shared goals and meet common challenges. Through policy development, cost-saving programs, conferences and training opportunities, AMO provides municipal officials with tools to succeed, and programs to help maximize taxpayer dollars.
AMO is governed by a 43-member Board of Directors who are elected every two years at the annual AMO meeting. These elected and non-elected municipal representatives hail from across Ontario, from communities of all different shapes and sizes – urban, small urban, rural and northern.
About Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst
Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst is Toronto Metropolitan University’s national centre for training, innovation and collaboration in cybersecurity. Headquartered in Brampton, Ontario, and offering programs and services across Canada, the Catalyst empowers individuals and organizations to seize the opportunities and tackle the challenges of cybersecurity. Together with our partners and collaborators, we work to realize a vision of healthy democracies and thriving societies, powered by secure digital technologies.
Through our groundbreaking training and certification programs; unique innovation programming for start-ups and scale-ups; first-of-its-kind cyber range; and wide-ranging public education programs, the Catalyst helps drive Canada’s global competitiveness in cybersecurity.
Media Contact:
Claire van Nierop
Manager, Communications
Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst
416-525-6842
cvannierop@torontomu.ca