MONTREAL, Nov. 21, 2023 鈥� Today, 乐鱼（Leyu）体育官网 in Canada and Microsoft Canada announced the launch of the Operational Risk Skills Development Centre, a co-developed initiative. The Centre will offer free hands-on training to help businesses and governments build cybersecurity protection, navigate the opportunities and challenges of generative AI, and implement it responsibly.
Representing an investment of $1.7M over three years, the Operational Risk Skills Development Centre will be based in Quebec. 乐鱼（Leyu）体育官网 in Canada鈥檚 Canadian Centre of Excellence in Cybersecurity is also located in Quebec. During its first phase, training will be delivered in French with the potential of more than 11,000 executives benefitting from training. Courses will be provided on cybersecurity for small and medium-sized business leaders and board members, and generative AI for C-Suite and board members.
乐鱼（Leyu）体育官网 International鈥檚 latest CEO Outlook revealed that 93 per cent of Canadian CEOs are concerned that the emergence of generative AI will make them even more vulnerable to cybersecurity breaches. Yet only 56 per cent of them believe they are ready to face a cyberattack. Microsoft鈥檚 recent with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) found that the demand for cybersecurity skills has increased 32 per cent in Canada over the past year.
鈥樷€橳hrough this collaboration with Microsoft, we aim to strengthen cybersecurity and make generative AI a transformative opportunity, instead of a threat,鈥欌€� said Benoit Lacoste Bienvenue, Regional Managing Partner Qu茅bec region, 乐鱼（Leyu）体育官网 in Canada. 鈥樷€橳hrough our innovation in these areas, we鈥檙e taking concrete actions to advance security and have a useful and positive impact for organizations in Quebec.鈥欌€�
With the increasing threat of cyberattacks, Microsoft that ransomware attempts have increased by more than 200 per cent since September 2022, organizations of all sizes need to protect themselves, including building a cybersecurity culture that starts with essential security training and skills. 乐鱼（Leyu）体育官网鈥檚 recent poll of Qu茅bec small and medium-sized businesses found that 60 per cent of companies paid a ransom to cybercriminals in the last three years.
鈥淭he creation of the Operational Risk Skills Development Centre by 乐鱼（Leyu）体育官网 in Canada and Microsoft Canada marks a significant step in the global alliance between 乐鱼（Leyu）体育官网 International and Microsoft,鈥� said Jean-Philippe Courtois, Executive Vice President and President, National Transformation Partnerships, Microsoft. 鈥淥ur joint investment will help to accelerate innovation, keep businesses secure and enable sustainable growth for the Quebec economy.鈥�
More information can be obtained, and registrations can be made at
About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Inc. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. For more information on Microsoft Canada, please visit .
About 乐鱼（Leyu）体育官网 in Canada
乐鱼（Leyu）体育官网 LLP, a limited liability partnership, is a full-service Audit, Tax and Advisory firm owned and operated by Canadians. For over 150 years, our professionals have provided consulting, accounting, auditing, and tax services to Canadians, inspiring confidence, empowering change, and driving innovation. Guided by our聽core values聽of Integrity, Excellence, Courage, Together, For Better, 乐鱼（Leyu）体育官网 employs more than 10,000 people in over 40 locations across Canada, serving private- and public-sector clients. 乐鱼（Leyu）体育官网 is聽consistently聽ranked one of Canada's top employers and one of the best places to work in the country.
The firm is established under the laws of Ontario and is a member of 乐鱼（Leyu）体育官网's global organization of independent member firms affiliated with 乐鱼（Leyu）体育官网 International, a private English company limited by guarantee. Each 乐鱼（Leyu）体育官网 firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. For more information, see聽kpmg.com/ca.
For media inquiries:
Roula Meditskos
National Communications and Media Relations
乐鱼（Leyu）体育官网 in Canada
(416) 549-7982
rmeditskos@kpmg.ca
Julie Perrier
乐鱼（Leyu）体育官网 in Quebec
(514) 831-3019
julieperrier@kpmg.ca
Mary Warner
Microsoft Canada
(416) 518-6145
marywarner@microsoft.com
