Orillia could be an ideal place for a cyber-security hub, council committee heard this week.
Councillors heard from Orillia native David Potter, professor emeritus with McMaster University, and Amir Ameli, assistant professor with Lakehead University in Orillia, who specializes in cyber-security.
City staff have been working with the two to determine the feasibility of creating a cyber-security “cluster” in Orillia.
The city seems like a good spot for such an operation, Potter said, as it is home to OPP General Headquarters, which has a cyber-security department. He also noted Hydro One is building its grid control centre in Orillia.
”Certainly, cyber-security is of concern there,” he said.
With Bell’s fibre infrastructure in town, Georgian College offering a certificate in information systems security and Lakehead having a computer science program, it seems like a good fit, Potter said.
He also spoke about the potential economic benefits of a cluster in Orillia.
The Canadian cyber-security industry contributed more than $2.3 billion in GDP and 22,500 jobs in 2018. Each job in Ontario contributes $102,222 to the GDP.
Based on that information, if 50 cyber-security jobs were to be added to Orillia’s economy in the coming years, “the long-term potential of the development of a cyber-security cluster might be on the order of $5 million 2018 dollars to local GDP.”
“Cyber-security is an emerging industry,” Potter explained. “I’m sure you’re all familiar with the headlines. Every second day, you hear about another major cyber-security attack.”
Coun. David Campbell has a keen interest in cyber-security because he is an IT professional.
“Cyber-security threats have made all my hair fall out,” he joked.
“I think there’s a huge opportunity here when you look at the job potential,” he added, suggesting the projections provided are “modest.”
Coun. Ralph Cipolla asked if an operation in Orillia would include a building.
Potter said it’s too soon to say, as the work underway is simply to undertake a research project and determine the feasibility of a cyber-security cluster in Orillia.
Coun. Tim Lauer asked if any thought had been given to setting aside a portion of the Horne Business Park in west-Orillia in case a building is needed.
“The location couldn’t be any more perfect. It’s dead centre between Lakehead University, Hydro One and the new OPP building,” he said. “It would seem very regretful if that did happen and that land was not available.”
Every councillor who spoke about the proposal seemed excited about the possibilities.
Coun. Rob Kloostra said it would be “almost like an insurance policy” for Orillia and other communities.
Coun. Pat Hehn saw it as a rare opportunity.
“It’s very occasionally that we actually get an opportunity to be on the cutting edge of something that’s truly, truly exciting and can spell change for our community,” she said.
Council committee voted in favour of putting $25,000 toward the project. With that contribution, Lakehead will apply for matching funds by way of a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada grant.
“The city would also contribute significant business development staff time (between 30 per cent to 40 per cent of one full-time equivalent) to work on the project over the next six to eight months,” staff wrote in a report.
“Overall, the value of the city’s contribution would be in the order of $50,000 to $100,000, consisting of a combination of $25,000 grant to Lakehead University for the research and an allocation of staff time equivalent to approximately $25,000 to $75,000.”
Council committee also directed staff to work with Lakehead on the research project and named Campbell as the council representative.
Gloss