Cyber Challenge
Leading cybersecurity solutions — made in Ontario
In partnership with
Funding provided in part
by the Government of Ontario
What is the Cyber Challenge?
The Cyber Challenge empowers technology startups in Ontario to solve industry-specific challenges in the province’s key sectors: Automotive, Agri-Food, Life Sciences, Smart Infrastructure, Advanced Manufacturing, Law Enforcement, and Mining.
Cyber Challenge startups gain access to new markets, client product testing, and exposure and trust-building opportunities while working with seasoned organizations within each sector. Founders will connect with industry leaders to drive innovation and adoption of cybersecurity technologies.
The program addresses industry-identified cybersecurity challenges, each aligning with validated market needs.
Participation in the Cyber Challenge is free — and no equity is taken from participating companies. Our mission is to support growth and success.
Founders will have access to top industry players, forming partnerships that drive innovation and adoption of cybersecurity technologies.
Each Cyber Challenge will run for three months, preceded by a preparatory phase that begins upon admission and operates on a rolling basis.
Stage One: Prep Phase
On a rolling basis, accepted startups will:
- Receive resources that will help them identify and validate a cybersecurity challenge within a new target sector;
- Evaluate their market opportunity and value proposition for the new sector;
- Gain access to CCTX and Catalyst communities;
- Pitch their startup, demo, and market entry plan for an opportunity to advance to the next stage.
Stage Two: Cyber Challenge
Over three months, 10 accepted startups will:
Focus Sectors
In Ontario, Advanced Manufacturing is a cornerstone of the economy. According to IBM’s 2021 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index, the manufacturing sector was the most attacked industry in Canada in 2021.The sector integrates cutting-edge technologies—such as robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and data analytics—into production processes to enhance efficiency, precision, and flexibility.
This digital evolution exposes the sector to significant cybersecurity challenges:
- Increasing connectivity and IoT/OT security
- Legacy systems and outdated technologies
- Insufficient network segmentation
The Smart Infrastructure sector in Ontario integrates advanced technologies — such as sensors, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT) — into traditional infrastructure systems to enhance efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. The CSE Annual Report 2022-2023 states that the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security handled 2,089 cybersecurity incidents, 1,132 affecting critical infrastructure.
Smart Infrastructure includes critical services like energy distribution, transportation, water management, and public safety. However, this digital integration introduces cybersecurity challenges, including:
- Insecure Communication Protocols
- Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
- Data Integrity and Privacy
- Integration of IT and OT systems
- Prime targets due to economic and operational impacts
Ontario’s Agri-Food sector is a cornerstone of the province’s economy, contributing over $47 billion to the GDP and employing more than 800,000 people. As the sector embraces digital transformation through precision agriculture, automated food processing, and smart supply chain management, it also faces growing cybersecurity risks that could threaten food security, economic stability, and public safety.
Key cybersecurity challenges include:
- Supply chain vulnerabilities
- Operational Technology (OT) Security
- Data privacy and protection
- Threats to critical infrastructure
- Emerging risks from AI and automation
In Ontario, Mining is a vital industry with a substantial economic footprint. The sector is increasingly adopting digital technologies to improve operational efficiency safety and productivity. However, a Statistics Canada survey revealed that 27.5% of Canadian businesses in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sectors were impacted by cybersecurity incidents related to:
- Integration of IT/OT
- High-value data breaches
- Increased risks due to legacy systems
- Third-party risks
Law enforcement agencies increasingly rely on advanced technologies — such as body-worn cameras, surveillance systems, and digital communication tools — to enhance public safety and operational efficiency. While these technologies offer significant benefits, they also introduce cybersecurity vulnerabilities that can compromise sensitive information and impede law enforcement operations. The sector is impacted by cyber risks related to:
- Supply chain security
- Secure communication channels
- Data storage and access controls
- Third-party vendor management
The Automotive cybersecurity sector was valued at $2.76B in 2022, and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22.97% and reach $17.7B by 2031.
The industry in Ontario grapples with unique cybersecurity challenges, such as:
- Security lagging behind innovation;
- Increasing connectivity and IoT applications;
- Use of “system-on-a-chip” leading to increased software complexity;
- Growing consumer concerns for the security of vehicles.
For Life Sciences, the global market size of IoT healthcare is expected to grow to over $185B by 2025, with health data expected to grow in step.
The Life Sciences sector in Ontario grapples with unique cybersecurity challenges, such as:
- High-value research and patient data loss/manipulation;
- Supply chain vulnerabilities;
- Increasing connectivity and use of IoT devices;
- Security lagging behind innovation.
Ecosystem Partners
