Mr. John Dimitropoulos reports

BLACKBERRY PARTNERS WITH ROGERS CYBERSECURE CATALYST AT TORONTO METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY TO BOLSTER CYBERSECURITY SKILLS IN MALAYSIA

BlackBerry Ltd. and Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, Toronto Metropolitan University's national centre for training, research and innovation, have entered a new partnership that, for the first time, will offer Catalyst's world-class CLIC (certifications for leadership in cybersecurity) program in Malaysia. To help close the gender gap in the Malaysian cyber industry and support career growth for Malaysian women, Catalyst is also teaming up with Sans Institute to provide full CLIC scholarships to three qualified Malaysian woman candidates. The CLIC Malaysian program will commence in May, 2024, with registration now open.

As BlackBerry prepares to officially open its new cybersecurity centre of excellence in Kuala Lumpur on March 26, this new partnership with Catalyst will advance BlackBerry's commitment to support Malaysia and other countries in the Indo-Pacific region and bolster these nations' cybersecurity capacity and resilience.

CLIC is an intensive, six-month cybersecurity training and certification program designed to provide the skills needed to launch or elevate a career in cybersecurity. The program allows graduates to earn two globally recognized Sans GIAC (global information assurance) certifications. Participants will also benefit from access to the Catalyst Cyber Range (a unique cybersecurity training and testing platform), and gain career mentorship from leading cyber experts and training across wider skill sets including cybersecurity ethics, organizational strategy, regulatory compliance and translating cyber risk into business risk.

"Toronto Metropolitan University is thrilled to support its national cybersecurity centre, the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, as it expands its cutting-edge training programs to Malaysia," said Mohamed Lachemi, president and vice-chancellor, Toronto Metropolitan University. "As we continue to champion global cyber resilience, this exciting venture reinforces our commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration and excellence in cybersecurity. Together with BlackBerry, we are shaping a secure digital future for individuals and organizations worldwide."

This new partnership with Catalyst is another milestone in BlackBerry's landmark cybersecurity deal with the government of Malaysia, announced at the APEC Summit in San Francisco in November, 2023 . BlackBerry also recently partnered with Sans Institute to offer a range of Sans courses at the BlackBerry Malaysia CCoE, which have already commenced. BlackBerry and its partners will showcase the wide range of courses and certifications on offer at the state-of-the-art CCoE facility when it officially opens its doors next week.

John Dimitropoulos, senior vice-president of corporate development, strategy and business development at BlackBerry, concluded: "BlackBerry's new partnership with Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst represents a significant development in our long-term commitment to help Malaysia build cybersecurity capacity and fortify digital defences. Expanding upon our recent Sans Institute partnership, we are offering Malaysia's cyber work force unprecedented access to globally certified training courses and networking events through our BlackBerry cybersecurity centre of excellence in Kuala Lumpur to expand the cyber talent pool, upskill work forces and support a thriving ecosystem of learning."

Matthias Chia, director of strategy and business development, Asia Pacific, Sans Institute, added: "At the forefront of cybersecurity work force development, Sans proudly pioneers extensive initiatives that carve out opportunities for women aiming for career advancement within this critically in-demand field. Our partnership with Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst to introduce these scholarships for women through the BlackBerry cybersecurity centre of excellence signifies a profound step forward in our unwavering commitment to cultivating gender diversity within the cybersecurity realm. This initiative not only champions the professional development of Malaysia's female cyberwarriors but also sets a benchmark for inclusive excellence in cybersecurity education and career readiness globally."

About BlackBerry Ltd.

BlackBerry (New York Stock Exchange: BB and Toronto Stock Exchange: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company's software powers over 235 million vehicles. Based in Waterloo, Ont., the company leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety and data privacy solutions, and is a leader in the areas of end point security, end point management, encryption and embedded systems. BlackBerry's vision is clear: to secure a connected future you can trust.