UCalgary receives nearly $7 million from National Cybersecurity Consortium

Eight projects at the University of Calgary have received nearly $7 million from the National Cybersecurity Consortium (NCC) as the post-secondary institution emerges as a rising star in the cyber landscape.

The NCC is working to grow a pan-Canadian network with private and public sectors to lead innovation and talent development and increase economic activity.

“Cybersecurity is more than just a shield for our digital assets; it’s a cornerstone for commercial innovation, economic growth and societal trust,” François-Phillippe Champagne, federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, said in a news release last month.

A total of $22.8 million was announced for 37 projects across the country to develop cybersecurity-related training to help varied industries, take innovative projects to market, and support research and development across Canada.

“The National Cybersecurity Consortium’s $22.8-million investment is a critical contribution to the Canadian cybersecurity community that will facilitate cross-sectoral collaborations, drive economic growth, and establish or deepen our knowledge of core technologies that protect Canadians,” says Dr. Ken Barker, BSc'82, MSc'84, PhD, NCC scientific director and a professor in UCalgary's Department of Computer Science.

The eight projects at UCalgary, both in the Faculty of Science and the Schulich School of Engineering, are:  

• CyberGuardian: Bridging the Cybersecurity Enforcement Training Gap – $1 million

  This project addresses the escalating challenge of cybercrimes by enhancing the proficiency of law enforcement officers.

• IntruderInsight: Elevating Cyber Attribution with AI Insights – $2 million

  This project addresses the challenge of attribution due to increasing threats in digital systems. It will benefit government, law enforcement and private organizations involved in cybersecurity.

• Authentication for Quantum-Enabled Secure Communication – $940,000

  Given the rapid progress in quantum technologies, there is an urgent need to develop cryptographic solutions that remain secure against quantum-enabled attackers.

• Toward a Secure User-Centric Green Credit Management System – $561,000

  Climate change presents an unprecedented global challenge that demands immediate action. This project will incentivize individuals and corporations through credit systems.

• Ostrich Accounting: Dotting I’s and Crossing T’s with your Head in the Sand – $500,000

  Digital privacy and legal compliance pose increasing challenges, so this project proposes a groundbreaking solution: leveraging secure multiparty computation (MPC) technology to empower organizations to address intricate legal obligations.

• Protecting Democracy from Cyber Threats – $500,000

  This project provides a comprehensive and current understanding of the role, influence and impact of human factors on the cybersecurity of democratic elections in Canada.

• Adaptive Decision Defense System: A Proactive Approach to Detecting and Mitigating Dual Denial of Decision Attacks in Critical Infrastructure – $496,800

  This project develops an Adaptive Decision Defense System (ADDS) to bolster the cybersecurity of Critical Infrastructures (CI) against sophisticated and evolving threats.

• IncidentSync: Bridging IT and Law Enforcement – $1 million

  This project facilitates collaboration between private organizations and law enforcement agencies for cyber-incident investigations.

Three of the seven UCalgary projects are connected to the Cyber Assessment, Training and Experimentation (CATE) Centre.

The centre is honoured to receive $4 million, says Herbert Fensury, CEO of ENFOCOM Cyber.

“The funding will propel us forward in these key projects addressing urgent cybersecurity needs nationwide,” he says.

Fensury says there’s a total of 25 partners involved in that work.

“The University of Calgary will be involved in all three projects, positioning Calgary as a hub of cybersecurity advancement and innovation in Canada,” he adds. “Together, we are creating a launch pad for learning, discovery and entrepreneurial success that fuels cybersecurity progress across sectors.”

UCalgary joined forces with ENFOCOM and Raytheon Canada to open the CATE Centre last fall. 

It features a scalable cyber range, the only one of its kind in Alberta, that can simulate digital environments, systems, threats and defences.

Led and managed by industry experts, it’s a critical institution for cyber security and research.

The Faculty of Science is also the first ISC2 Global Academic Partner, the world’s leading cybersecurity credentialling organization. Through that partnership, students will be able to complete the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) credential alongside their academic career.

Last year, UCalgary’s Faculty of Law also received more than $900,000 in funding from NCC for a project to train future lawyers, legal academics and policy experts to advise on law and policy issues related to cybersecurity concerns.