The University of New Brunswick’s National Cybersecurity Consortium, or NCC, will head up the newly created Cyber Security Innovation Network in a deal worth at least $160 million.

The NCC has already secured commitments of $80 million from the private sector — including cash and in-kind contributions from UNB itself worth $19.4 million — and the federal government will match the private funding with another $80 million over four years. The money is slated to be used for research and development, as well as commercialization of cybersecurity technology.

Created two years ago, the NCC is an amalgamation of cybersecurity research centres at UNB, Concordia University, Ryerson University, University of Calgary and the University of Waterloo. 

“Like the NCC, our vision for UNB’s future includes a renewed emphasis on the digital realm, including AI, big data and cybersecurity, achieved through research impact, collaborative public and private partnerships and the development of a highly skilled workforce,” said UNB President Paul Mazerolle in a press release.

Fredericton, home to UNB’s computer science faculty, has been a regional hub for cybersecurity since the 2011 exit of Q1 Labs for a reported price of more than $600 million. Q1 buyer IBM subsequently located its global cybersecurity operations in the city, which now also plays host to fast-growing security startups like Beauceron Security and Gray Wolf Analytics.

Serving on the executive group for the Cyber Security Innovation Network, of CSIN, will be Ali Ghorbani, Canada Research Chair in Cybersecurity and director of UNB’s Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity.

CSIN is planned to be a “highly collaborative national network” with a mandate to fund R&D and commercialization activities, as well as participating in initiatives to expand Canada’s cybersecurity workforce. It will fund collaborations between post-secondary institutions, private companies and government.