BlackBerry Expands Partnership with Global Affairs Canada & Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst for Women in Cyber Program in Malaysia

Rhea-AI Summary

BlackBerry (NYSE:BB), Global Affairs Canada and Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst announced the Women in Cyber Leadership Program in Cyberjaya, Malaysia, running 26–30 January 2026 at the MCMC and BlackBerry Cybersecurity Center of Excellence.

The five-day course is offered at no cost to accepted participants, targets mid-level women cybersecurity professionals across ASEAN, will host ~40 ASEAN nominees, and includes travel bursaries for selected participants outside Malaysia. Successful applicants will be notified in December 2025.

Global Affairs Canada provided CAD $226,000 to upskill 100 government and civil-society professionals in the Indo-Pacific through related capacity-building activities.

Five-Day Program for Women Designed to Address Critical Leadership Gap in Indo-Pacific Cybersecurity Workforce and Offered at No Cost

CYBERJAYA, MALAYSIA / ACCESS Newswire / November 12, 2025 / BlackBerry Limited (NYSE:BB)(TSX:BB), Global Affairs Canada and Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitan University ("the Catalyst") today announced the Women in Cyber Leadership Program, a strategic initiative designed to advance women cybersecurity professionals into leadership roles across Malaysia and ASEAN member states.

Applications are now open, with the course scheduled to take place from 26-30 January, 2026, at the MCMC and BlackBerry Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (CCoE) in Cyberjaya, Malaysia. The intensive five-day course will bring together mid-level women professionals across all sectors to develop strategic capabilities in cyber risk management, governance frameworks, and executive leadership.

(Centre) Jaclyn Sim, Senior Manager of Training together with cyber students at the MCMC and BlackBerry CCoE.

The program aims to help address a critical workforce challenge. Women remain significantly underrepresented in cybersecurity leadership roles, despite the Indo-Pacific region facing an escalating digital threat landscape and shortage in human cyber capital. It also aligns with Malaysia's goals to foster more diverse leadership in cybersecurity and strengthen the region's digital economy.

"It is inspiring to see so many women participating in skills training and globally-certified courses at the MCMC and BlackBerry Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in Malaysia - but there is more work to be done as an industry to grow opportunities for women in cyber leadership roles across the region," said Jaclyn Sim, Senior Manager, Cybersecurity Technical Training, BlackBerry. "As well as boosting regional cyber-resilience, this public-private sector initiative delivered in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada and the Catalyst, can help to open doors for women to lead, influence, and shape the future of cybersecurity."

Cyber-defenders learning in class at the MCMC and BlackBerry CCoE.

The curriculum combines practical application with strategic exploration of regional threat analysis, emerging technologies including AI, cyber governance frameworks, and executive communications. Participants will engage in tabletop simulation exercises, collaborative projects, and networking events led by global experts and regional leaders. The program culminates in a certificate of completion recognizing advanced leadership capabilities.

"Cybersecurity is strongest when the people shaping it reflect the communities it protects, and it is encouraging to see Malaysia taking such proactive action to grow a more diverse and inclusive cybersecurity workforce," added Charles Finlay, Founding Executive Director of the Catalyst. "We are proud to work with Global Affairs Canada and BlackBerry to support this effort, and create pathways for talented women in the Indo-Pacific to pursue leadership roles in one of the world's fastest growing sectors."

Women leaders teaching at the MCMC and BlackBerry CCoE.

The Women in Cyber program is offered at no cost for all accepted participants thanks to funding from the Government of Canada through its Anti-Crime and Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program. Travel bursaries covering transportation, accommodation, and meals are available for selected ASEAN nominees residing outside Malaysia. Approximately 40 women from ASEAN member states will participate in this program.

This news follows a recent announcement during the 47^th ASEAN Summit by the Right Honourable, Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, revealing that Canada is expanding its investment in advancing cybersecurity capacity building in the Indo-Pacific region. Under this initiative, Global Affairs Canada is providing CAD $226,000 to upskill and train 100 government and select civil society professionals in mid-level management roles through the MCMC and BlackBerry CCoE in Cyberjaya, with more details to follow soon.

The Right Honourable, Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada. Photo credit: Nick Meir.

Interested professionals for the 'Women in Cyber' program can apply here. Successful candidates will be notified in December 2025. For more information about the MCMC and BlackBerry CCoE, visit the website, follow us on Linkedin or contact us at ccoemalaysia@blackberry.com.

Fostering a diverse community at the MCMC and BlackBerry CCoE.

About Global Affairs Canada

Global Affairs Canada is responsible for managing Canada's diplomatic and consular relations, promoting international trade, and leading Canada's international development and humanitarian assistance. Under the Indo-Pacific Strategy, the department works to advance Canada's interests and values in the region, including by supporting international norms and legal frameworks.

About Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst

Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst is Toronto Metropolitan University's national centre for training, innovation and collaboration in cybersecurity. Since its founding in 2018, the Catalyst has grown into Canada's most active cybersecurity hub, earning a global reputation for delivering high-impact programs and driving innovative solutions to critical technology security challenges. A not-for-profit corporation, the Catalyst collaborates with governments at all levels, public and private organizations, and academic institutions. Headquartered in Brampton, Ontario's Innovation District, the Catalyst delivers its programs across Canada and around the world. Learn more at cybersecurecatalyst.ca.

About BlackBerry

BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides enterprises and governments the intelligent software and services that power the world around us. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company's high-performance foundational software enables major automakers and industrial giants alike to unlock transformative applications, drive new revenue streams and launch innovative business models, all without sacrificing safety, security, and reliability. With a deep heritage in Secure Communications, BlackBerry delivers operational resiliency with a comprehensive, highly secure, and extensively certified portfolio for mobile fortification, mission-critical communications, and critical events management.

For more information, visit BlackBerry.com and follow @BlackBerry. 

Trademarks, including but not limited to BLACKBERRY and EMBLEM Design, are the trademarks or registered trademarks of BlackBerry Limited, and the exclusive rights to such trademarks are expressly reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. BlackBerry is not responsible for any third-party products or services.

Media Contacts

BlackBerry Media Relations
+1 (519) 597-7273
mediarelations@BlackBerry.com

Catalyst Media Relations
comms@cybersecurecatalyst.ca

SOURCE: BlackBerry

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What is the BlackBerry Women in Cyber Leadership Program (BB) and when is it held?

The program is a five-day leadership course for mid-level women in cybersecurity, held 26–30 January 2026 in Cyberjaya, Malaysia.

How much does the Women in Cyber program cost for participants and when are applicants notified for BB?

The program is offered at no cost to accepted participants; successful candidates will be notified in December 2025.

Who funds the Women in Cyber program and what funding was announced related to the initiative?

Global Affairs Canada funds the program and announced CAD $226,000 to upskill 100 government and select civil-society professionals in the Indo-Pacific.

How many participants will attend the January 2026 Women in Cyber program (BB)?

Approximately 40 women from ASEAN member states are expected to participate in the Cyberjaya session.

Are travel and accommodation covered for ASEAN nominees outside Malaysia for the BB program?

Travel bursaries covering transportation, accommodation, and meals are available for selected nominees residing outside Malaysia.

Where is the Women in Cyber program located and which organizations run it?

The course will take place at the MCMC and BlackBerry Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in Cyberjaya and is run in partnership with Global Affairs Canada and Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst.