Sky-Deer attending Cybersecurity Conference in NYC

10/17/2023

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that Ohén:ton Í:iente ne Ratitsénhaienhs Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer is in attendance at the BlackBerry Summit 2023 in New York City, today (Tuesday, October 17) and Wednesday, October 18. 

IndigenousTech.ai (led by Chief Clarence Louie, Osoyoos) in conjunction with BlackBerry, is looking to build a national Indigenous partnership to train First Nations youth, build IT skills and contribute to increasing cyber security for their communities.

“This event brings together industry experts in the fields of cybersecurity and communications. Recent attacks on First Nations computer networks and systems not only threaten the privacy of entire communities, but data breaches also come with a hefty price tag to restore these networks,” said Sky-Deer. “We have to look at increasing security of our information, while ensuring we have the capacities to maintain the changes.”

In 2018, Sky-Deer attended a similar Blackberry event. At the time, BlackBerry approached Kahnawà:ke in an effort to advance an initiative to help increase the security of First Nations computer networks. Due to the Pandemic and other extenuating circumstances, the initiative was put on hold until it could be resumed.

If a relationship can be developed, the MCK could potentially enter into a partnership for a pilot project with BlackBerry, IndigenousTech.ai and the Federal Government. The cybersecurity project will help Kahnawà:ke and other First Nations increase security to computer networks and systems.

The cost of the conference, including travel and hotel, is being covered by IndigenousTech.ai.