Canada’s support will be delivered by BlackBerry Ltd, in partnership with the Toronto Metropolitan University’s Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, to train 3,500 cyber defenders from Malaysia and other Asean member countries.

BlackBerry said the initiative furthers global public-private sector collaboration in the battle against rising digital threats, is aligned with Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, and establishes Malaysia as a hub of regional cybersecurity excellence in Southeast Asia.

“Support from the government of Canada will include the design, development and delivery of a comprehensive cybersecurity curriculum, including dedicated programmes for women, expanding what is already on offer at the world-class Malaysia CCOE in Cyberjaya.

“Courses supported will include role-based education and specialist tracks as well as Certification for Leadership in Cybersecurity and Women in Cybersecurity Leadership courses,” Blackberry said in a statement today.

It said funding from Canada will also support scholarships and bursaries for Malaysians and regional participants to enrol in courses at the CCOE and earn globally recognised industry certifications in cybersecurity.

Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau said cybersecurity is a pillar of Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy.

“It is also a shared challenge that countries around the world need to tackle together.

“With our government’s investment in Malaysia’s CCOE in collaboration with BlackBerry, Canada will share cyber expertise, train the cyber workforce across Asean countries, increase public-private sector collaboration, and strengthen our collective capacity to counter, deter and respond to cyber threats,” he added.

BlackBerry CEO John Giamatteo said that in a growing digital economy, no matter how advanced your cybersecurity arsenal is, nations must have a well-trained cyber workforce to bolster their front lines of defence.