October 24, 2023 (Brampton, ON) – Today, Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitan University (“the Catalyst”) and Municipal Information Systems Association, Ontario (“MISA”) have announced a partnership to provide municipal IT professionals with hands-on cybersecurity training.
Considering the rapidly changing digital landscape and increasing number of municipal cyber attacks, it is critical that municipal IT professionals understand their role in ensuring municipal cyber resilience. The MISA-Catalyst Cyber Range training program brings together MISA’s insights on the needs and challenges faced by municipalities with the Catalyst’s expertise in cybersecurity training. The program will use the Catalyst’s unique Cyber Range platform to illustrate key cybersecurity concepts in the context of municipal security.
A simulated, virtual environment, the Catalyst Cyber Range acts as an interactive representation of an organization’s networks, systems, tools, and applications. Cyber Range participants are able to react and respond to various cyber threats on the ultra-realistic platform. Additional interactive elements will be powered by the Click Armor platform, a Catalyst collaborator, which provides learners with a holistic cyber learning experience.
“Cyberattacks are a significant and growing concern for municipalities. We are thrilled to be partnering with Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst to offer this much needed hands-on technical training to our members and anyone interested in cybersecurity in the municipal context,” said Anne Babej, Executive Director, MISA Ontario.
“This partnership with MISA is an important step in the Catalyst’s efforts to support municipalities in addressing their cybersecurity challenges,” said Charles Finlay, Founding Executive Director of Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst. “We look forward to building on this foundation as we continue to contribute our expertise to strengthening the cyber resilience of municipalities.”
“The decisions and actions of an organization’s IT team play a significant role in the likelihood and impact of a successful cyber incident. This partnership provides an important opportunity for municipal professionals to practice, learn and test highly relevant technical skills,” Trish Dyl, Director of Corporate Training & Cyber Range at Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst.
About MISA Ontario
Municipal Information Systems Association, Ontario (MISA Ontario), a chapter of MISA Canada, is a non-profit organization that provides technology focused online resources, directories, and events targeted to municipalities of all sizes. Our objective is to foster an engaged and active community of municipal professionals, at all levels, to share information, experiences and promote municipal IT practices. in order to provide better and more cost-effective services to municipal taxpayers and clients. We represent 200+ municipalities & organizations representing 1400+ dedicated professionals working towards more effective government.
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 commercial accelerator for cybersecurity start-ups and scale-ups; first-of-its-kind cyber range; wide-ranging public education programs; and influential policy development platform, the Catalyst helps drive Canada’s global competitiveness in cybersecurity.
The program’s online interactive platform is provided by Click Armor, a Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst partner and accelerator alumni. Combining the power of the Click Armor platform with the Catalyst Cyber Range provides learners with a complete learning experience.
Media Contact:
Claire van Nierop
Communications Lead
Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst
416-525-6842
cvannierop@torontomu.ca