CyberNB aims to create jobs through fighting cybercrime

The New Brunswick government plans to promote the cybersecurity field as an opportunity to grow the province's information-technology sector.

Premier Brian Gallant announced Tuesday the launch of a new initiative called CyberNB aimed at making New Brunswick "The best jurisdiction around the world for cybersecurity."

He says the province can capitalize on the growth of cybercrime, which he pegged at being worth $400 to $500 billion a year in violations, by encouraging the growth of companies that fight it.

While Gallant spoke, a large video screen displayed an application tracking global cyber-attacks happening in real time.

It's an emerging challenge which means it's an emerging opportunity.- Brian Gallant, premier

"It's an emerging challenge which means it's an emerging opportunity," Gallant said.

CyberNB, which will be part of Opportunities New Brunswick, will "leverage and align" the cybersecurity work of existing companies such as Bulletproof Solutions and Sentrant Security.

Gallant didn't say how much the province will spend on CyberNB, but he said it will look to federal and municipal governments as well as universities and other players to become "partners."

Earlier this year, Sentrant, based at the University of New Brunswick, busted an online advertising fraud scheme that was making $250,000 a day using advertising apps.

• Fredericton security company uncovers massive online fraud

Sentrant's former CEO, Allen Dillon, has been hired to run CyberNB.

Dillon said an example of New Brunswick's existing strength in the sector is Tuesday's announcement that IBM has chosen UNB as one of eight North American universities to adapt the company's Watson technology for cybersecurity use.

• IBM chooses UNB as a partner in Watson cybersecurity project

One of the goals of the CyberNB initiative is to establish a Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity in the province, but the federal government has yet to sign on to that.

"You'll be hearing more news about it as we progress in the weeks ahead," Dillon said. "I can't pre-announce anything but I'm very positive about the outcomes."