As the world continues to become more digital, businesses and consumers are facing more challenges than ever.
To address the growing volume of cyber threats, Canadian telecommunications giant Telus and cybersecurity solution provider Trend Micro are teaming up to establish a Cybersecurity Research Centre in Toronto. The goal of the centre is to expand both companies’ global threat research footprint, enable collaboration, and drive Canadian-specific cyber research.
Telus has transferred all 23 staff from its Security Lab to Trend Micro as part of deal. It will also run Trend Micro products across its network to collect insights for the centre’s cyber research.
The centre is the second Trend Micro has in this country. The first was established in 2009 when it bought Ottawa’s Third Brigade, which made a suite of products that included intrusion detection and prevention, a Web application firewall, and application control, for an undisclosed sum.
“We are proud to add Toronto to our list of world-leading cybersecurity research centres that already includes Austin, Manila, Munich, Ottawa, Prague, Taipei and Tokyo,” Eva Chen, CEO of Trend Micro, says in a Feb. 1 press release. “We chose Toronto because of the strength of the talent, as well as our overall increased investment in Canada. As a truly global security leader, proximity to our customer base allows us to best address their local threat needs while sharing insights globally. Working with a strong, dependable industry leader like Telus will help us to further strengthen our North American presence.”
Centre staff will work on identifying critical vulnerabilities in machines, networks, and communication infrastructures, analyze malware and other malicious exploits, and custom research into cyber intrusions for enterprise customers. While no official launch date has been released, Telus and Trend Micro are hoping that this research will help predict the types of threats that could impact critical infrastructure and assets in the future and develop better security controls that can be deployed in these areas.
“Companies must co-innovate to solve tough problems for their customers, as they are directly faced with constant cybersecurity and privacy threats,” Ibrahim Gedeon, CTO for Telus, adds in the release. “This is why we are working with Trend Micro to increase the existing protection of our customers. Our new partnership represents the steadfast belief that future data protection requires a highly integrated approach.”
Telus will run Trend Micro products across its network and in return, Trend Micro will collaborate with the telecom company on key incident response needs for its customers.
Ontario’s minister of research, innovation, and science Reza Moridi says the decision to establish this centre in Toronto is “further evidence that our government’s focus on advanced technology and STEM education is attracting investment and jobs to Ontario” while also offering his congratulations to the two companies.
Minister of economic development and growth Brad Duguid echoes these thoughts, adding that the announcement is “a vote of confidence” in Ontario and will bring new jobs and improve cybersecurity at home.
