CISO Forum Canada 2020: Navigating the Digital Acceleration
The CISO Forum Canada 2020 was an exclusive, high-level gathering of security executives, reimagined for the digital age at the siberXchange virtual venue. The forum provided an essential platform for CISOs to collaborate, share strategic insights, and address the massive cybersecurity shift brought on by rapid digital transformation and the new remote work environment.
Core Themes and Highlights
The central themes of the 2020 forum were defined by the urgency of the moment: cloud security, operational resilience, and the human factor in security.
Cyber Resilience and Risk Management:
Discussions centered on maintaining security posture during accelerated digital migration. Experts like Olivera Zatezalo (OPG), Andrew Vezina (Equitable Bank), and Taha Iqbal (Manulife) explored enterprise risk, compliance, and the future of GRC.
The Evolving Threat Landscape:
Sessions focused on advanced threat detection and response, with insights from technology leaders such as Jason Keirstead (IBM Security) and Jared Phipps (SentinelOne). The battle of “Man vs. Machine” was a key focus, with solutions engineers like Matthew Balcer (SentinelOne) showcasing cutting-edge defensive strategies.
Privacy and Governance:
The event maintained a strong focus on data privacy and legal frameworks, featuring specialists like Cat Coode (Binary Tattoo) and John Roberts (Province of Ontario), ensuring the technical conversation was grounded in robust governance.
Venue, Speakers, and Sponsors
The forum featured an extraordinary convergence of industry leaders, underscoring the collaborative effort required to secure Canada’s digital future.
Venue and Format:
The event was hosted virtually at the siberXchange platform, demonstrating a commitment to continuity and collaboration despite global restrictions.
Speakers:
The vast roster of speakers included CISOs and VPs from major Canadian organizations, such as Nicole Brouillard (Aviva Canada), Maggie Calle (Varicent), and Kashif Parvaiz (UHN). They were joined by strategic thinkers like former FBI counterintelligence operator Eric O’Neill (VMware Carbon Black) and legal expert Vanessa Henri. Academic and public sector representation from Durham College and Sherry Rumbolt (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat) also ensured a well-rounded perspective on skill development and national strategy.
Sponsors:
The forum was heavily supported by a comprehensive ecosystem of sponsors, demonstrating strong industry commitment. Major global technology partners included AWS, BELL, IBM, JUNIPER NETWORK, and VMWare. Specialized security and threat intelligence firms like Darktrace, SentinelOne, PROOFPOINT, and RECORDED FUTURE also provided critical backing. Furthermore, the strong participation of regional partners like the Town of Ajax, Durham REGION, and the City of Oshawa highlighted the public sector’s dedication to improving municipal and regional cyber defenses.
YouTube Playlist
For video content, including session recordings and executive interviews from the 2020 CISO Forum and related siberX events, please refer to the organizer’s YouTube channel playlists at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IJu7Yiu2M4&list=PLmPGnrZ2SYxag4U1SrjOIMhRgYeQSXSsN
