FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, March 16, 2022: OTTAWA, ON. The Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity (CIC), based at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, and ADGA Group Consultants Inc. (ADGA), headquartered in Ottawa, have signed an agreement to work collaboratively on enhancing innovation through R&D cybersecurity projects to make Canada’s critical infrastructure safer and more secure.

The focus of this partnership is to develop a security framework for Canadian organizations to manage risks and challenges associated with converged security, and especially service and supply chain security—i.e. infrastructure, cybersecurity, integrated security, personnel security due diligence, processes, and information security.

Marcel Lachance, Executive Vice-President of Security and Professional Services, ADGA Group Consultants Inc., said, “The CIC’s reputation as an innovative, pragmatic, and pioneering academic research leader makes it an ideal partner for ADGA. As Canadians move towards the establishment of smart communities, a co-existence with autonomous technologies, and increasingly complex service and supply chains, these types of partnerships are what governments and our business community need to help them address the unique challenges presented by the confluence of Physical, IT/Cyber, and Personnel security threats and risks.”

According to Lachance, the adoption and integration of Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices has created an interconnected mesh of cyber-physical systems. The resulting security threats include hybrid attacks that target both physical and cyber assets.

“ADGA’s experience with converged security solutions provides a new way of viewing all threats, by combining risks from the Physical, IT/Cyber, and Personnel disciplines within an Enterprise Security Risk Management (ESRM) model. Not only does the ESRM model deliver uniform governance, it also enables organizations to scale security and compliance operations more rapidly. Our R&D engagement with the CIC will enable us to enhance and augment this ESRM model,” added Lachance.

Dr. Ali Ghorbani, UNB professor of computer science, Canada Research Chair in Cybersecurity and director of UNB’s CIC, said, “The CIC values its relationships with forward-thinking companies like ADGA. Cybersecurity innovation happens when researchers and businesses come together to develop, validate and implement ground-breaking solutions. The outcome is greater protection for Canada’s connected environments.”

Founded in Ottawa in 1967, ADGA Group Consultants Inc. is a proudly Canadian-owned and operated company. Our team of professionals assists our clients in solving complex business problems by assessing, designing, building, and operating the systems and processes necessary to meet their requirements. We deliver strategic insight and world-class solutions across government and private sector clients operating in the defence and security markets. ADGA is committed to Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy, which is designed to leverage defence and Canadian coast guard procurement to contribute to jobs, innovation and economic growth across the country. In December 2021, ADGA was acquired by Commissionaires Ottawa Group, converging its capabilities with allied companies to provide a one-stop, full spectrum of cyber, electronic and physical security solutions.

The Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity (CIC) continues to play a key role in the field of cybersecurity research and innovation in Canada. The institute is a multidisciplinary and entrepreneurial training, research, and development organization whose knowledge base draws on the expertise of researchers from the social sciences, business, computer science, engineering, law, and science in general. The CIC is hosted by the University of New Brunswick’s Fredericton campus. It is the first organization of its kind to bring together researchers and practitioners from across the academic spectrum, and professionals who seek to share ideas on cybersecurity challenges.
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Media Contact:

Marcel W Lachance

Executive Vice President – Professional Services, Security and Solutions

ADGA Group Consultants Inc.  

Mobile: 613.851.0930

Email:  mwlachance@adga.ca

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