Government of Canada Expands Investment in Advanced Cybersecurity Training for ASEAN Members

Rhea-AI Summary

BlackBerry (NYSE:BB) and Malaysia's MCMC welcomed a CAD $226,000 investment from Global Affairs Canada announced October 28, 2025 to expand cybersecurity training at the MCMC and BlackBerry Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (CCoE) in Cyberjaya.

The two-year program will train 100 government and select civil society professionals, begin courses in November 2025, and fund a specialized ASEAN Week from February 9-13, 2026 plus a dedicated Women's Program for 10 ASEAN candidates. This builds on a prior CAD $3.9 million Canada investment in 2024 and aligns with a broader Canada-Malaysia goal to train ~3,500 participants with a 25% women target across the region.

Insights

Cybersecurity policy and partnerships analyst

Canada's CAD $226,000 grant expands BlackBerry/MCMC training in ASEAN, scaling regional cyber workforce capacity.

The program links Global Affairs Canada, BlackBerry, and MCMC to deliver two years of training at the Malaysia CCoE for 100 government and civil society professionals, beginning in November 2025, and funds a specialized 2026 intensive week from February 9-13, 2026.

Operationally, the funding buys course delivery, a technical SOC Analyst track, a non-technical track, and a 10-person Women’s Program; it complements an earlier CAD $3.9 million commitment and facility upgrades such as labs, a SOC simulator, and hands-on exercises that increase training realism.

Key dependencies and risks include sustained follow-on funding, participant selection quality, and measurable skills transfer to operational roles; the announcement does not disclose metrics for post-training placement or long-term program budget beyond two years.

Watch course start dates in November 2025, the ASEAN Week in February 2026, and any follow-on funding announcements tied to the broader goal of training ~3,500 participants and achieving a 25% women target.

New funding to train ASEAN cyber-defenders at the Malaysia CCoE, expanding Canada's Indo-Pacific commitment to strengthen regional cyber resilience and workforce development

KUALA LUMPUR, MY / ACCESS Newswire / October 28, 2025 / BlackBerry Limited (NYSE:BB)(TSX:BB) and the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) today welcomed an announcement by Canada's Prime Minister, Mark Carney, that Global Affairs Canada is deepening its commitment to regional cybersecurity capacity-building by expanding its investment in advancing cybersecurity capacity building through the MCMC and BlackBerry Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (CCoE) in Cyberjaya. Under this initiative, Global Affairs Canada will provide CAD $226,000 to upskill and train cyber-defenders from across ASEAN delivered at the CCoE by BlackBerry in collaboration with MCMC. Announced during the 47^th ASEAN Leaders Summit in Kuala Lumpur, the two-year investment will cover the training, for 100 government and select civil society professionals at the Malaysia CCoE in Cyberjaya. Hosted within MCMC's Cyberjaya complex, the MCMC and BlackBerry CCoE serves as Malaysia's national hub for cyber-capacity development and ASEAN regional training.

"Our new government is investing in the Canadian ingenuity that powers and secures economies worldwide, while expanding our footprint in the Indo-Pacific. This investment supports BlackBerry - a Canadian success story - in strengthening its global leadership. It reflects our vision: Canadian innovation fueling global markets and building secure, resilient digital infrastructure."- The Right Honourable, Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada

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

This additional funding builds on Canada's $3.9 million CAD investment in cybersecurity training and education, announced in 2024. This funding will strengthen cybersecurity partnerships and expertise in the region through enhanced training opportunities for professionals pursuing careers in cyber resilience. In collaboration with BlackBerry, MCMC and the Toronto Metropolitan University's Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst ("the Catalyst"), the first courses are commencing in November 2025 under this first phase of funding.

The additional funding announced by Prime Minister Carney will support specialized programming scheduled for 2026, including a five-day intensive ASEAN Week from February 9-13. It will feature a non-technical track covering foundational concepts and a technical track delivering advanced training, including the Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst Fundamentals. Another key component of the program is a dedicated Women's Program for 10 candidates from ASEAN Member States, to be delivered in partnership with TMU Rogers 'the Catalyst'. The initiative is part of a broader vision of the Canada-Malaysia agreement, to train approximately 3,500 participants, with a target of 25% women, across the region.

John Giamatteo, CEO of BlackBerry concludes, "The MCMC and BlackBerry Cybersecurity Center of Excellence is a vital hub for developing cyber talent both nationally and across the region, and we are proud to join with the Government of Canada and Malaysia to enhance the curriculum and increase access to cyber training. As we continue to innovate and enhance the facility, participants from Malaysia and ASEAN will also benefit from hands-on experience to better prepare them for the real-world of cybersecurity."

MCMC and BlackBerry Cybersecurity Center of Excellence

Since opening its doors in 2024, the MCMC and BlackBerry CCoE has trained over 5500 people, delivering more than 36,000 hours of training, and offers a range of over 55 courses, together with globally-certified training partners such as SANS, ISC2, CompTIA and EC-Council. BlackBerry and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) also just signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the 47^th ASEAN Summit on October 27, announcing a multi-year education partnership to develop the nation's next generation of cyber-leaders and embedded software engineers.

Class at MCMC and BlackBerry Cybersecurity Center of Excellence

In addition to the ASEAN curriculum expansion, the facility is also undergoing a transformative upgrade, featuring high-performance labs, a cyber "war room," a Security Operations Centre (SOC) simulator, and interactive kiosks. These enhancements will provide cyber defenders with immersive, real-world training opportunities, in addition to its wide range of in-person and online courses - which cater for flexible, self-paced learning.

For more information about the Malaysia CCoE and register for upcoming programs, visit the website, follow us on Linkedin or contact us at ccoemalaysia@blackberry.com.

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 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.

About Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst

Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst is Toronto Metropolitan University's national centre for training, innovation and collaboration in cybersecurity. A not-for-profit corporation, the Catalyst collaborates with governments, industry, and academic institutions to deliver high-impact programs and advance innovative solutions to critical cybersecurity challenges. Headquartered in Brampton, Ontario, the Catalyst is dedicated to building a skilled cyber workforce and strengthening Canada's role as a global leader in cybersecurity.

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

How much funding did Global Affairs Canada commit to BlackBerry CCoE training (BB) on October 28, 2025?

Global Affairs Canada committed CAD $226,000 to expand training at the MCMC and BlackBerry CCoE.

How many participants will the two-year BlackBerry (BB) program train and when do courses start?

The two-year initiative will train 100 government and select civil society professionals, with courses starting in November 2025.

What is ASEAN Week 2026 at the BlackBerry CCoE and when will it occur?

ASEAN Week is a five-day intensive training program at the CCoE scheduled for February 9-13, 2026, with technical and non-technical tracks.

Does the BlackBerry (BB) program include a women's initiative and how many will it support?

Yes — the program includes a dedicated Women's Program to support 10 candidates from ASEAN member states.

How does the October 28, 2025 funding relate to prior Canadian cybersecurity investments with BlackBerry?

The CAD $226,000 builds on a prior CAD $3.9 million Canadian investment announced in 2024 to expand regional cyber training and education.