Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation awarded bronze in Cyber and Data Security category

Oshawa, ON – Earlier this year, Durham College’s (DC) Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation was recognized at the 2022 World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) World Congress as a finalist in the Cyber and Data Security category. On June 17, after competing against institutions and individuals from countries around the world, the Centre won bronze, signifying the college’s ongoing commitment to showcasing best practices in applied research and cybersecurity at an international level.

“Considering the Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation is only two years old, our success at the 2022 WFCP World Congress speaks volumes to how quickly we’ve grown and how much we’ve accomplished in so little time,” says Debbie McKee Demczyk, dean, Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE). “With the help of our expert faculty and researchers, DC is leading the way in cybersecurity innovation, and it is an honour to have that effort rewarded on a global stage among our esteemed peers.”

Launched in 2020, the Centre was created to address the increasing risks posed by cyber threats. This collaborative effort brings together current and aspiring cybersecurity professionals to develop innovative solutions that protect the business assets of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The work completed there focuses on compliance testing tools, data security and privacy impact assessments, incident response templates, cyber threats, social engineering, and more.

“The Centre is relatively young, but we’ve already built strong relationships with key industry players and are hosting and speaking at cyber forums and conferences at an enterprise level,” says Ali Hirji, manager, Emerging Technologies. “Our success at the WFCP World Congress can be attributed to the team’s proven commitment to and investment in the future of the cyber and data security industry.”

Since opening, the Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation has worked with 15 industry partners to develop prototypes and cyber solutions and hosted 30 events to generate awareness and enhance skills in cybersecurity. Furthermore, the research centre has provided diverse experiential learning opportunities for students by connecting them with real clients to devise effective, efficient and sustainable solutions.

Having received over $3.5 million in funding, the Centre anticipates exponential growth in the next five years, leading to further learning opportunities for students and advanced solutions to counter SME cyber threats.

DC would like to congratulate the Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation on the prestigious win and thank the team for their ongoing display of leadership in the field of cybersecurity.

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About Durham College:
With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, Durham College (DC) offers over 11,400 full-time students access to more than 140 post-secondary programs, including three honours bachelor degrees and nine apprenticeship programs.

DC enables students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing job market by providing an exceptional college education. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads are known for having the skills and knowledge employers need.

At the Oshawa campus, the Centre for Collaborative Education brings together local, Indigenous and global communities, featuring the Durham College Spa, Rotary Global Classroom and interprofessional simulation and anatomy labs. The campus is also home to four of the college’s applied research centres, including the AI Hub, Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation, Mixed Reality Capture Studio and Social Impact Hub. Additionally, the flexible, fully automated, and industrial-grade Integrated Manufacturing Centre serves as a model of the new standards in advanced manufacturing, mechatronics and engineering education.

At DC’s Whitby campus, the new 60,000-square-foot Ontario Power Generation Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology shines a spotlight on industrial skilled trades training, innovation and education, and includes a double-height shop lab, new classrooms and student touchdown spaces, among other features. The campus also features the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which is home to the award-winning full-service restaurant, Bistro ’67; retail store, Pantry, featuring food grown and prepared by students; and the Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture and its community-inspired urban farm.

Media contact:
Elyse Carney
Communications Officer, Communications + Marketing
Durham College
elyse.carney@durhamcollege.ca