Today, in collaboration with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, BlackBerry launched the Cyber. Right. Now. campaign. Joining BlackBerry are 27 entities, including AWS, Cisco, eSentire, General Dynamics Mission Systems Canada, Innovapost, Microsoft, and over a dozen SMEs. The Cyber. Right. Now. campaign will advocate increased investment in Canadian cybersecurity innovation, talent development, and global competitiveness.
Cybersecurity is essential to sustaining innovation and securing trust in a digital and data-driven world. Canada is a world leader in cybersecurity software and services. Two of the Top 20 cybersecurity companies in the world are Canadian. Canada ranks 4th in the number of pureplay cybersecurity companies in the global top 150, behind the U.S., Israel, and the UK. Canada also ranks 4th for the most cybersecurity venture capital deals.
Canada’s cybersecurity expertise is part of a vibrant technology ecosystem that extends from coast, to coast, to coast. Sixty-six of the 2020 Fast 500 technology companies in North America are Canadian. This capacity for innovation extends beyond recognized hubs like Brampton, Montreal, Ottawa or Waterloo, to Boisbriand (QC), St. Johns (NB), Winnipeg (MA), and Edmonton (AB).
Canada boasts important clusters of cybersecurity innovation. Canada’s Digital Charter and National Cyber Security Strategy sets forth a vision for Canada’s security and prosperity in the digital age, which includes the establishment of the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security. These investments helped Canada secure a Top 10 ranking in the United Nations’ Global Cybersecurity Index.
Canada’s cybersecurity companies contribute significantly to GDP and R&D. Canada’s 340 cybersecurity companies contributed $2.3 billion to Canada’s GDP in 2018, sustaining more than 22,000 high paying jobs. Canadian cybersecurity companies consistently rank among the top 100 R&D spenders in Canada, with an R&D intensity three times higher than the ICT industry average. BlackBerry alone invested 24 percent of GAAP revenue in R&D in FY 2021.
Yet, Canada risks falling behind, as other countries’ cybersecurity investments increase. The OECD reports that Canada is one of the few countries where R&D investment is “stagnant,” investing only 1.5 percent of GDP and declining – while Canada’s competitors are investing billions in advanced cybersecurity capabilities.
The market for cybersecurity software and services is already quite large and growing fast. With a projected 67 billion connected endpoints by 2025, the demand for advanced cybersecurity software and services is growing exponentially. Yet, there is a cybersecurity skills gap of more than 4 million experts globally.
Cybersecurity is essential to protect critical infrastructure and sustain innovation in today’s world. It enables the digital economy, which represents 25 percent of global GDP (US $23 trillion) and 70 percent of new value creation. Cybersecurity protects Canadian SMEs and boosts their ability to thrive in a data-driven economy. It also helps governments maintain essential services such as healthcare and education.
For 36+ years, BlackBerry has been a proud driver of Canadian economic growth and technological innovation. We look forward to working with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, our fellow co-sponsors of the Cyber. Right. Now. campaign, and the Canadian government to grow Canada’s cybersecurity competitiveness.
