(Posted
6:30 a.m., May 30)
Cyber
security incubator officially opens its doors in Orléans
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online
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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
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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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