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DC’s Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation partners with Cyber Security Canada

In our increasingly connected world, the need for reliable cybersecurity is paramount.

Since its inception in 2020, the Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation at Durham College (DC) has set the standard for providing applied research services and high-quality education in this crucial field.

That is sure to continue with the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Centre and Cyber Security Canada, a non-profit certification body dedicated to helping organizations become more secure online.

“Cyber Security Canada has done a phenomenal job of developing a standard that helps organizations enhance their cybersecurity posture. Through this MOU, we aim to leverage the Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation’s strengths to assist Canadian organizations in improving their security measures and meeting these national standards,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, Associate Vice President, Innovation and Research.

Over the years, the Centre for Cybersecurity at DC has worked with over 40 organizations in a variety of fields, developing solutions to help them be more efficient and secure in the face of growing cyber threats. In one recent example, they conducted security assessments for the Town of Ajax.

Working with Cyber Security Canada will help the Centre reach even more companies that are keen to improve their cybersecurity.

“Everybody is thinking about cybersecurity, but they don’t know how to start and where to start. They don’t have the budget. They don’t have talent who can work on it,” said Sushant Katare, Senior Manager, Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation.

That’s where the talented minds at DC come in. By connecting with the Centre, companies get access to research expertise that will help them identify and address their cybersecurity issues and get them ready to apply for Cyber Security Canada’s certification.

In addition to certified professionals like Katare, the Centre also hires students from a number of DC programs to work on projects and gain real world experience.

“It’s a win-win situation for everyone,” he said.

If a career in this burgeoning field interests you, our Cybersecurity graduate certificate can get you ready!

DC’s AI Hub recognized with Tech-Access Canada’s Tri-Pillar Excellence Award

Durham College’s (DC) AI Hub has been awarded the Tri-Pillar Excellence Award for its ongoing work to help businesses conduct research and development, adopt new technology and education and training.

The award comes from the national non-profit Tech-Access Canada, which supports a network of Technology Access Centres (TAC) across the country, including the AI Hub, which became a TAC in 2023.

Natalie Arthurs, Senior Manager of the AI Hub, says that the award was especially meaningful because it recognizes that her team is meeting multiple needs in an evolving field.

“As a fairly new TAC, this award reflects that we’ve made considerable progress in the three key areas of research, training and technology,” she said. “We have done a really good job of looking systematically across this moment in time in AI at how to put the right tools in the right place to overcome barriers to AI in a holistic way.”

Key initiatives from the AI Hub include the development and launch of the AI Guide ethics training program to help non-technical professionals gain an in-depth knowledge of AI governance and regulations. The Hub also offers a webinar and workshop series to help small- and medium-sized businesses learn about ways they can use AI in their organizations. The Hub’s AI Strategic Roadmap service helps companies to test the feasibility of an AI tool before fully committing to a larger investment.

The AI Hub has also positioned itself as a thought leader in the community, hosting a flagship annual AI in Action event in February, which attracted more than 180 participants in 2024. In addition to partnering with local organizations including the Whitby Chamber of Commerce, Invest Durham and the Spark Centre, and Angel Investors of Durham, the AI Hub also engaged with more than 60 companies in various industries over the last year, including health care, finance and marketing among others.

For Arthurs and her team, the AI Hub’s focus is always on practical solutions and meeting the needs of industry and the community. “When we set out to research something, it’s specifically solving a problem that industry has brought to us,” she said. “We looked across the board and asked: What are key barriers companies are facing? Why are companies struggling to integrate AI into their businesses? And then we developed programming specifically around that.”

She points to the AI Guide as an example to emerge from the realization that a possible barrier to AI adoption was concern over emerging regulations.

Given the ecosystem that the AI Hub has created, Arthurs says she was thrilled to share the news of the win with her team. “The best part was we had an event here at DC the day that we got home from the conference where the award was presented. Being able to share it with the team was the most rewarding part, because this award is really about diversity and diversity of services, and that diversity is reflected in our team and their strengths and their dedication.”

The AI Hub serves as a strategic advisor to help companies assess the value of AI. They currently have more than 30 research and development projects underway, serving partners in every province and in sectors from energy to consulting to health to marketing. Companies are encouraged to reach out to the AI Hub with an AI problem and request a consultation.

 

Office of Research Services, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) hosts impactful event

Durham College’s (DC) Office of Research Services, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) opened its doors for an exciting event last week.

The ORSIE Impact Expo on Friday, October 25 invited industry, business and community partners to explore and celebrate the innovative work they’re doing at DC.

Close to 150 visitors filled the Centre for Innovation and Research to discover DC’s hub for research and development, new products, processes and services, and experiential learning. They also explored its four applied research centres, including the AI Hub, Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation, Mixed Reality Capture Studio and the Social Impact Hub, as well as the Institutional Research Team and the Experiential Learning Hub. The Centre for Craft Brewing Innovation didn’t miss out on the fun, travelling from the Whitby campus to bring samples of their non-alcoholic products.

DC’s Associate Vice President, Innovation and Research, Debbie McKee Demczyk was proud to welcome so many attendees to the event.

“We’re so excited to share all of the cutting-edge ideas, products, and innovations that are being created right here,” she said.

Another big draw for the crowd was world-renowned keynote speaker Hamza Khan. A bestselling author and proven educator, he kept the audience intrigued and entertained with his powerful presentation on leadership.

Hailing from the Greater Toronto Area, and having worked with DC before, he was eager to take part in the special event.

“This was a very meaningful opportunity for me. DC was one of my first clients when I started in the early 2010’s. They’re one of the first companies that said yes to me, that took a chance on me, and so this felt like coming home,” he said. “This is a community of students, staff, faculty, partners and friends, who are all galvanized around the same idea, which is leading the way.”

Though he spoke for an hour, Khan arrived at a simple and powerful conclusion for his listeners.

“Put people first.”

With those words in their ears, visitors spent the rest of the morning exploring, enjoying interactive tradeshow displays, and networking with peers and DC leaders.

It was an event that made DC proud, including President Dr. Elaine Popp.

“We’re fostering an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship, promoting adaptability and agility, and encouraging a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement,” she said. “I’m excited about the future of DC. We are determined to be a future-proof college and spearhead the transformation of education. ORSIE is leading that charge.”