VENUS Cybersecurity president Tony Bailetti is joined by Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and city councillors Bob Monette and Stephen Blais for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new centre. Fred Sherwin/Photo

Orleans is officially on the economic development map with the opening of a leading edge cyber security incubation centre on Thursday.

VENUS Cybersecurity will act as a start up incubator for innovations companies in the process of developing programs aimed at protecting businesses, institutions and even individuals from Internet threats.

Four such venture projects were on display at Thursday's VENUS Cybersecurity grand opening including Strike, which is developing security software that will allow companies to continue to operate while under a cyber attack; Crack Semiconductors, which is developing embedded security software for computers; and WAW Technologies which is developing a hardware device that monitors monitor traffic and points of origin on system networks.

VENUS president Tony Bailetti says the goal of the corporation is to make Canada a global leader in cyber security by bringing Canada's leading innovators under one roof.

"This is about leadership. We used to lead in telecommunications and we didn't do very well, so we're back," said Bailetti, who also happens to be the director of the technology and innovation management program at Carleton University. "The goal is to be a global leader once again."

The hope is that the Centre, which is located on the ground floor of the former Cumberland town hall building on Centrum Boulevard, will become a magnet in attracting other cyber security companies to Orléans and the jobs that come with that growth.

Orleans Ward Coun. Bob Monette has been at the forefront in trying to attract companies to Orléans, along with his east end colleagues. He sees the VENUS centre as the beginning of great things to come.

"We always say we need a niche in our community. We need something that the others don't have and this could be the start of something big for our community," said Monette.

The Centre will employ 62 people in its startup phase with more jobs to come in future phases.

VENUS Cybersecurity is seen to be a feather in the cap of local politicians who have made economic development their key priority. It would not have been made possible without the cooperation of all three levels of government.

Ottawa-Orléans MP Royal Galipeau was Bailetti's first point of contact when he was trying to decide on a location for the company, and while he wasn't at Thursday's official opening, he did provide a statement marking the occasion.

"The opening of VENUS Cybersecurity along with the new Communications Security Establishment Canada at Blair and Ogilvie roads positions Orléans as a destination of choice for businesses involved directly or indirectly in telecommunications security and cybersecurity research," Galipeau's statement reads.

While the Centre's opening is an important milestone in Orléans ' economic development, it is not the only project on the books. Orléans Ward Coun. Bob Monette played a key role in convincing Brigil to invest $300 million in a commercial development near Petrie Island.

“Working hand-in-hand with local elected representatives and the Orléans Chamber of Commerce, we are continuing to show that economic development and employment is a priority for the community of Orléans,” said Monette.

(This story was made possible thanks to their generous support of our local business partners.)

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