Canada Boosts Regional Cybersecurity Training in Malaysia with Major Investment

29 October 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: BlackBerry Limited and the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) proudly welcomed an historic announcement by Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, signalling a deepening of Canada’s commitment to regional cybersecurity capacity-building. This expansion involves increased investment in advancing cybersecurity expertise through collaboration with the MCMC and the BlackBerry Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (CCoE) in Cyberjaya.

Under this strategic initiative, Global Affairs Canada will allocate CAD$226,000 to upskill and train cyber-defenders from across ASEAN nations at the BlackBerry CCoE, delivered in partnership with MCMC. Unveiled during the 47th ASEAN Leaders Summit in Kuala Lumpur, this two-year programme aims to equip 100 government officials and selected civil society professionals at Malaysia’s premier cyber training hub, situated within MCMC’s Cyberjaya complex. The CCoE stands as Malaysia’s national centre for cyber capacity development and serves as a regional training beacon for ASEAN.

“Our government is investing in Canadian ingenuity that powers and secures global economies, while expanding our influence across the Indo-Pacific. This investment bolsters BlackBerry, a proud Canadian success story, in strengthening its leadership on the world stage. It embodies our vision: Canadian innovation driving global markets and building resilient, secure digital infrastructure,” stated Carney.

The Canadian President Mark Carney

This additional funding builds upon Canada’s earlier CAD $3.9 million investment announced in 2024, aimed at bolstering cybersecurity training and education across the region. The renewed commitment will enhance regional partnerships and expertise through advanced training initiatives for cybersecurity professionals, in collaboration with BlackBerry, MCMC, and the Toronto Metropolitan University’s Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst (“the Catalyst”). The first courses under this expansion are set to commence in November 2025.

Looking ahead, the funding will support specialised programmes scheduled for 2026, including a flagship ASEAN Week from 9th to 13th February. The event will feature both foundational and advanced technical training, including the Security Operations Centre (SOC) Analyst Fundamentals. A notable component is a dedicated Women’s Programme, designed for ten candidates from ASEAN Member States, delivered in partnership with TMU’s Rogers ‘the Catalyst’. This initiative forms part of a broader vision to train approximately 3,500 participants across the region, with a target of 25% women.

John Giamatteo, CEO of BlackBerry, emphasised: “The MCMC and BlackBerry CCoE are vital hubs for cultivating cyber talent both nationally and regionally. We are honoured to collaborate with the Government of Canada and Malaysia to enhance curricula and extend access to world-class cyber training. As we continue to innovate and upgrade our facilities, participants from Malaysia and ASEAN will benefit from immersive, hands-on experiences to better prepare for the complexities of today’s cybersecurity landscape.”

Since opening in 2024, the MCMC and BlackBerry CCoE has trained over 5,500 individuals, delivering more than 36,000 hours of specialised instruction across over 55 courses, in partnership with globally recognised providers such as SANS, ISC2, CompTIA, and EC-Council. Recently, BlackBerry and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding during the 47th ASEAN Summit, announcing a multi-year collaboration to nurture Malaysia’s next generation of cyber leaders and embedded software engineers.

In addition to expanding its ASEAN curriculum, the centre is undergoing a state-of-the-art upgrade, featuring high-performance laboratories, a cyber “war room,” a Security Operations Centre (SOC) simulator, and interactive kiosks. These enhancements will offer immersive, real-world training environments alongside a comprehensive suite of online and in-person courses, designed to provide flexible, self-paced learning for aspiring cyber defenders.