IMC2: Multi-disciplinary forces get to work for an eco-responsible cyberfuture!
PROMPT was delighted to attend the official presentation of the Institute on October 18, an opportunity to share a vision and ambitions for cybersecurity, and to forge links between academic, industrial and government cybersecurity players in Quebec and Canada.
Cybersecurity today represents one of the most pressing and major challenges of our digital age. With the exponential growth in threats, and in particular internal threats – it is estimated that at least half of all risks to businesses come from internal risks – it is imperative to adopt a bold approach to protecting our societies, businesses and infrastructures. It is in this context that the institutional chair was created , as an innovative and collaborative response to strengthen cyber-resilience.
Objective: join forces with the various partners involved in the fight against cybercrime
The creation of IMC2 aims to build strong links between academic research, industry and government. At the heart of this Chair is a collaborative space where ideas circulate freely, develop and talent is nurtured. The collaboration involves three universities – Polytechnique Montréal, initiator of the project, Université de Montréal and HEC Montréal – and brings together 40 teachers and their students, creating a collaborative space with a pool of experts and developing young talent. This space responds to a growing need in cybersecurity through 4 pillars: training, research, innovation and awareness-raising in terms of public policy.
The inauguration highlighted several key cybersecurity themes:
Preventing cybersecurity risks
- Cybercrime: a costly threat
This Chair aims to prevent cybersecurity risks, particularly in the face of unpredictable cyber attacks that can cause enormous damage. It is estimated that the cost of cybercrime will reach 10,500 billion dollars by 2025. This colossal sum underlines the urgency of action and the need to find innovative solutions to counter this growing threat.
- Shortage of manpower in the cybersecurity sector
Another major challenge to which the Chair intends to respond is the shortage of qualified cyber security workers. According to the latest ISC2 report 2023 [ISC2 CYBERSECURITY WORKFORCE STUDY/ How the Economy, Skills Gap and Artificial Intelligence are Challenging the Global Cybersecurity Workforce], there is currently a crying need for almost 4 million qualified professionals in this field. By creating a collaborative space between industry and academia, this initiative aims to train and develop the skills needed to meet this growing demand.
- Cybersecurity, sustainable development and governance
Also discussed were the links between cybersecurity and sustainable development, as well as issues linked to internal threats within companies, amplified by the rise of teleworking in recent years, requiring in-depth reflection on data governance and the protection of sensitive information.
