Blog
2021 Data Science Industry Fellowships help Albertans gain real-world experience and encourage local companies to adopt data science tools
Cybera’s Data Science Industry Fellowship 2021 cohort has commenced, with 19 budding data scientists paired with five Alberta-based organizations to work on an internal data project. Over the next six weeks, the emerging data scientists (Fellows) will develop a proof-of-concept tool that can be used by their industry partner to improve operations or support the […]
Industry Hackathon helps solve “digital divide” while supporting professional development
On June 4, 2021, participants from across Alberta presented unique solutions and tactics to the issue of rural internet access gaps following the month-long Bridging the Connectivity Challenge Hackathon. This event, which was spearheaded by Cybera and ISAIC, brought together more than 100 registrants to address the following objectives: Use available data to assess the […]
Federal committee suggests new ways to improve telecoms competition (and offers slight rebuke of CRTC)
On June 22, 2021, the federal Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology released its study Affordability and Accessibility of Telecommunications Services in Canada: Encouraging Competition to (Finally) Bridge the Digital Divide. The study offered recommendations for improving competition in Canada’s telecommunications industry, and also provided a rebuke for recent CRTC decisions that have caused […]
New website shines a light on Alberta’s rural connectivity gaps
Responding to the ongoing struggles faced by rural Albertans to access high-speed, affordable internet, the Alberta Rural Connectivity Coalition has unveiled a new website to offer resources and learning events for those wanting to find local solutions. The website will allow communities and networking experts to collaborate on local projects to provide internet to residents, […]
Second national procurement for web conference tool now available
Partners in the NREN award the second of two collaborative procurements to streamline web conferencing for Canadian higher ed and research institutions. Cybera, working with its National Research & Education Network (NREN) partners, is pleased to announce the second of two awards for a national web conferencing solution. This agreement with BlueJeans will see its […]
Cybera doubles network capacity on SuperNet, just in time
When Alberta’s K-12 schools resumed in-person classes last week, Cybera’s network team really noticed the difference! On Tuesday, May 25, the amount of traffic running over Cybera’s link to the SuperNet more than doubled, from an average of 8.75 Gbps (while at-home learning was going on), to just over 20 Gbps. Fortunately, Cybera had just […]
How CRTC flip-flop on wholesale internet will hurt consumers
Last week, in a move that has already negatively impacted consumer internet costs in Canada, the CRTC reversed it’s 2019 decision to lower the rates charged by large ISPs to wholesale service providers for access to their networks. Wholesale internet providers, such as TekSavvy and Distributel, will now have to pay the higher, pre-2019 rates […]
ShareIT Year in Review
ShareIT capped off its 2020-21 fiscal year with one of the strongest quarters to date, generating savings of over $3 million between January and March 2021! It was also a record-setting year for the team in terms of catalogue additions and PD&T. The ShareIT program added seven new contracts and hosted 29 information and knowledge […]
Advice for Alberta institutions looking to make use of a Shared CISO
For the last two years, Cybera has facilitated a Shared Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) program for its members. The origin of this program dates back to 2017, when Norquest College and Lakeland College teamed up to share a single CISO: security expert Curtis Blais, who remains the Shared CISO today. Having a Shared CISO […]
Cybera is excited to announce the signing of a partnership agreement with Platform Calgary
This month, Cybera joined with the research and business incubation community in signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Platform Calgary, with the purpose of fostering growth within Calgary’s technology ecosystem. As part of this agreement, the organizations will work collaboratively to ensure Calgary achieves its goal of tripling the city’s existing tech sector in the […]
Registration for 2021 Data Science for Albertans Fellowships is now open!
Budding data scientists and industry partners have until June 13 to apply Cybera is happy to announce the return of the Data Science for Albertans Fellowship program. From July 19 – August 27, emerging data scientists (Fellows) will be paired with industry partners, including entrepreneurs, startups, or small to medium-sized companies who are interested in adopting data science […]
Cybera’s take on Canada signing the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement
On May 3, 2021, Cybera submitted its response to Global Affairs Canada’s consultation on Canada’s possible accession to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA). The Digital Economy Partnership Agreement is a new international trade policy instrument that aims to address the transborder governance of a number of emerging digital economy issues. Initiated by Chile, New […]
Twitter Slackbot: Combining the potential of Twitter and Slack
The article below describes the work of Team DataMasters during a recent month-long Professional Development competition at Cybera. With the COVID-19 situation rapidly evolving, it’s important to adhere to the public health guidelines and stay up-to-date with the latest information from the government and public health officers. At times, it can be overwhelming to keep […]
Federal Budget 2021 invests in research, connectivity and data governance
On April 19, the federal government tabled its 2021 budget: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth and Resilience. The first federal budget tabled since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it contained a number of economic measures to address Canada’s path to recovery over the next year and onwards, including expansions to the federal wage […]
Web conferencing procurement now available
Partners in the NREN award the first of two collaborative procurements to streamline web conferencing for Canadian education and research institutions. Cybera, working with its National Research & Education Network (NREN) partners, is pleased to announce the first of two awards for a national web conferencing solution. The first agreement is awarded to Kaltura’s virtual […]