Women in Cybersecurity | Beyond Borders 2022: Bridging the Gender Gap in Cyber Leadership
The Women in Cybersecurity | Beyond Borders 2022 event successfully brought together a powerful collective of female leaders and allies to address the challenges and opportunities within the cybersecurity industry. Held at the siberXchange venue, the forum emphasized diversity, professional development, and collaborative strategies for strengthening the global cyber workforce.
Overall Highlights and Themes
The central theme of “Beyond Borders” focused on expanding the roles of women in technical and leadership positions and building a more inclusive industry globally. Discussions likely centered on career path navigation, mentorship, breaking down systemic barriers, and the critical importance of diverse perspectives in solving complex security problems. The presence of legal, GRC, and technical experts indicated a multi-faceted approach to security, including privacy, resilience, and executive management.
Venue, Sponsors, and Speakers
Venue: The event took place at siberXchange, a venue known for hosting dynamic and interactive cybersecurity programs.
Sponsors:
The forum was proudly supported by key industry leaders committed to cybersecurity and diversity, including MNP, ARCTIC WOLF, and siberXchange itself, highlighting a commitment to fostering a strong, inclusive community.
Speakers:
The event showcased an exceptional roster of industry veterans and emerging leaders, primarily focusing on female executives. Notable speakers included:
Ireen Birungi (VP, Information Security & CISO at Interac) and Maggie Calle (VP & CISO at Varicent), offering C-suite perspectives on strategic defense.
Dr. Eman Hammad (PwC) and Helen Oakley (SAP), providing deep dives into technical resilience and product security architecture.
Sherry Rumbolt (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat) and Julia Le (Ontario’s Cyber Security Centre of Excellence), offering insights from government and public sector security.
Vanessa Henri (Henri & Wolf Law) and Cat Coode (Binary Tattoo), addressing the intersection of cybersecurity with legal and privacy frameworks.
Male allies and leaders like Kevin Magee (Microsoft Canada) and Daniel Pinsky (CDW Canada) also contributed, reinforcing the message of shared responsibility in promoting diversity across the cyber defense landscape.
YouTube Playlist
While the recap article provides an overview, session recordings and highlights related to the event can be found on the organizer’s YouTube channel. You can view the relevant content by checking the playlists available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-muJVhHka3I&list=PLmPGnrZ2SYxbqdTN6y_4XcK09gmGFQnSi
