Mr. Han Ther Lee reports

BLACKBERRY PARTNERS WITH ISC2 TO ADVANCE CYBERSECURITY SKILLS IN MALAYSIA

BlackBerry Ltd. has entered a new partnership with the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2), the world's leading non-profit member organization for cybersecurity professionals, to deliver its globally recognized cybersecurity training and certifications in Malaysia. In support of the Malaysian government's continuing efforts to boost digital skills, capacity and cyber resilience, the courses are offered as part of the BlackBerry cybersecurity curriculum at the world-class cybersecurity centre of excellence facility in Cyberjaya. Registration is open for the first ISC2 courses taking place later this month.

As Malaysia's digital transformation continues to accelerate and threat surfaces expand, so too does the demand for highly qualified cybersecurity professionals. BlackBerry's new partnership with ISC2 extends the range of internationally certified courses available to cyber professionals at the Malaysia CCoE to help upskill and enhance capabilities to bolster defences against ever evolving cyber threats. The courses include ISC2's highly sought-after certified information system security professionals, certified cloud security professional and certified in cybersecurity.

Han Ther Lee, director of education and training, cybersecurity centre of excellence, BlackBerry, commented: "As Malaysia prepares for the year of skills in 2025, BlackBerry remains committed to collaborating with government and industry to help educate, upskill and grow the nation's cyber work force. We are proud to partner with another top-tier training institution like ISC2, further enriching the curriculum offered at the cybersecurity centre of excellence and giving cyber professionals in Malaysia and the region wider access to globally recognized certifications."

The first courses offered through the partnership will focus on critical cybersecurity disciplines, including security operations, risk management and cloud security, vital to strengthening national and regional cybersecurity capabilities, especially as the region pushes forward its digital transformation goals. ISC2 will provide comprehensive training materials, course resources, licences and continuing support for all its programs.

Cigdem Bildirici, vice-president, business development, ISC2, added: "With Malaysia advancing towards a more digitally connected future and the accompanying rise in cyber risks, strengthening the cybersecurity work force has become more vital than ever. We're excited to collaborate with BlackBerry at the cybersecurity centre of excellence to bring our training programs to support this growth."

Since opening the CCoE in March, 2024, with the support of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, BlackBerry and its education partners have dedicated over 8,000 hours to train over 1,500 professionals at the facility. Several education partnerships also offer globally certified training courses at the CCoE, including CompTIA, SANS Institute and the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitan University, which runs its CLIC (certifications of leadership in cybersecurity) training program.

Now in its sixth month of operations, the addition of ISC2 training programs at the CCoE is another milestone achievement for the non-profit institution, which aims to provide the most comprehensive set of certifications and training courses available in the Indo Pacific region.

The first wave of ISC2 certification courses, certified in cybersecurity will commence by the end of October, 2024, while the renowned CISSP and CCSP programs will start in November, 2024. Cybersecurity professionals and organizations across Malaysia and the Indo Pacific region can register for the ISC2 courses. Additional programs, such as specialized workshops and advanced training, will be rolled out in the months to follow, providing continuous opportunities for upskilling and certification.

About BlackBerry Ltd.

BlackBerry 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, and is a leader in the areas of end point security management, encryption and embedded systems. BlackBerry's vision is clear: to secure a connected future you can trust.