Thales, a global technology leader, has announced plans to establish a National Digital Excellence Centre (NDEC) in the Cyber Centre at Fredericton’s Knowledge Park in Canada.
The new facility will focus on strengthening Thales’ cybersecurity capabilities in industrial systems and is the second digital hub of the group, in addition to the NDEC located in Ebbw Vale, Wales.
NDECs are research and development facilities that enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro-enterprises to test and develop digital transformation projects alongside large corporations. The NDECs foster innovation and are instrumental in developing major technological breakthroughs.
The NDEC in Fredericton is being established in partnership with the University of New Brunswick’s McKenna Institute and local economic development agency Ignite, with support from Opportunities New Brunswick (ONB) and the Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
The project will include the National Digital Excellence Centre Canada (NDEC Canada), as well as Thales’ Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC) for North America. The facility will be a hub of digital excellence, development and education, connecting New Brunswick to technology centres everywhere, stimulating growth in Atlantic Canada’s technology sector, and boosting economic benefits in the region.
“New Brunswick is an ideal place for Thales to invest and grow in Canada, where we are among the Top 100 corporate R&D investors. I want to thank ACOA, ONB as well UNB’s McKenna Institute and Ignite, for their partnership and commitment to our vision for the National Digital Excellence Centre”, said Chris Pogue, CEO, Thales Canada.
“Together, we will collaborate across a talent-rich innovation value chain – educational institutions, academia, start-ups, small- and medium-sized businesses, industry and governments – to develop the cyber technologies, capabilities and resilience Canada needs to build a future we can all trust.”
The Canadian government is supporting NDEC Canada through two projects. A contribution of over $1.8 million will help the University of New Brunswick’s McKenna Institute develop new cybersecurity and digital resilience programs to benefit and strengthen the region’s small and medium-sized businesses and educational programming.
Additionally, a contribution of more than $1.2 million will support Ignite in the design and establishment of the NDEC Canada facility, which will be a place for small business, academia, and the regional ecosystem at large to collaborate and develop cyber skills and partnerships.