CISO Forum Canada 2026

CISO Forum Canada is brought to you by siberX, and brings speakers, attendees, & sponsors from all over the world together to discuss the everchanging field of executive information security management. Topics focus on leadership, strategic management, innovation, & cutting-edge solutions to the challenges of leading information security programs.

This event is open to Director level and above security leaders only. The attendee list is reviewed by the advisory. For any vendor/partner registrations, please refer to the sponsorship package.

CISO Forum Canada will mobilize leaders from across Canada as speakers & attendees for keynotes, panel discussions, & round-tables followed by an executive reception.

This event is in-person.

Conference Package

With Hotel

$1,350.00

Full conference access

1 Night Stay at hotel venue

Breakfast & Lunch Included

Full Conference Pass

General

$850.00

All-inclusive conference pass

Cocktail Reception

Breakfast & Lunch Included

Full Conference Pass

Government Staff Rate

$650.00

All-inclusive conference pass

Cocktail Reception

Breakfast & Lunch Included

Abdul Karim

CISO

Halton Healthcare

CISO at Halton Healthcare

Ali Abbas Hirji

Chair of Operation

Operation: Defend the North - siberX

Chair of Operation at Operation: Defend the North - siberX

Ali Shahidi

President and Principal Advisor

InfoTransec Inc.

President and Principal Advisor at InfoTransec Inc.

Amit Chopra

Head of Information Systems / CIO

Lakefield College School

Head of Information Systems / CIO at Lakefield College School

Bil Harmer

Operating Partner & CISO

Craft Ventures

Operating Partner & CISO at Craft Ventures

Bob Gordon

Strategic Advisor

Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange

Strategic Advisor at Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange

Daniel Pinsky

CSO

CDW Canada

CSO at CDW Canada

Emerson Rajaram

CISO

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health

CISO at Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health

Ferris Adi

CISO

Trans Americas Fiber System

CISO at Trans Americas Fiber System

George Al-Koura

CISO

Ruby

CISO at Ruby

Jassi Kaur

CIO & CISO

Toronto Film School & Yorkville University

CIO & CISO at Toronto Film School & Yorkville University

John Pinard

VP, IT Operations, Infrastructure & Cybersecurity

DUCA Financial

VP, IT Operations, Infrastructure & Cybersecurity at DUCA Financial

Kevin Dreyer

I.T. Director & CISO

Maple Reinders Group

I.T. Director & CISO at Maple Reinders Group

Kristi Honey

Chief Administrative Officer

Township of Uxbridge

Chief Administrative Officer at Township of Uxbridge

Lionel Akagah

Director, Cybersecurity

NAC

Director, Cybersecurity at NAC

Mary Konstantinidis

Vice President, Information Security & Risk Management

Moneris

Vice President, Information Security & Risk Management at Moneris

Mayuran Kanthasamy

VP Information Security & CISO

Kepler Communications

VP Information Security & CISO at Kepler Communications

Michael Hartrick

Manager, Information Technology Services

Town of Midland

Manager, Information Technology Services at Town of Midland

Mirza Baig

Director, Cyber Security

Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC)

Director, Cyber Security at MPAC

Mohsen Azari

Director of Cyber Defence

GoEasy Ltd

Director of Cyber Defence at GoEasy Ltd

Neil Beaton

Senior Director, Business Development

DRT Cyber

Senior Director, Business Development at DRT Cyber

Octavia Howell

VP, CISO

Equifax Canada

VP, CISO at Equifax Canada

Priya Mouli

Head of Information Security & Compliance

Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Head of Information Security & Compliance at Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Puroo Maheshwari

Managing Director, Cybersecurity, Portfolio Value Creation

CPP Investments

Managing Director, Cybersecurity, Portfolio Value Creation at CPP Investments

Sherry Rumbolt

Senior Cybersecurity Strategist

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

Senior Cybersecurity Strategist at Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

Shilpa Dahiya

Senior Director Cybersecurity

CAAT Pension Plan

Senior Director Cybersecurity at CAAT Pension Plan

Sumon Acharjee

Chief Information Officer

City of Markham

Chief Information Officer at City of Markham

Taher Afridi

CISO

Marcura

CISO at Marcura

Teodor Pana

Cyber Security Director

SE Health

Cyber Security Director at SE Health

Tommaso Lorenzo

CISO

Niagara Health

CISO at Niagara Health

Vaughn Hazen

CISO

CN Rail

CISO at CN Rail

Vivek Khindria

President and Principal Consultant

Risk Embrace Inc

President and Principal Consultant at Risk Embrace Inc

Schedule

Join us as a sponsor and position your brand at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation—gain exclusive visibility, connect with industry leaders, and make a lasting impact in the cyber community.

About the Venue

The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto

181 Wellington St W, Toronto, ON M5V 3G7

Situated in the heart of downtown Toronto, this luxury hotel offers exceptional amenities, including world-class dining and a state-of-the-art fitness center. The Ritz-Carlton will host the conference venue, and all attendees of CISO Forum Canada 2026 will see signage and notes about additional services and support to ensure a luxurious and seamless stay.

Hotel Reservation

Event Details

What is this event about?

CISO Forum Canada brought to you by siberX brings speakers, attendees, and sponsors from all over the world together to discuss the ever-changing field of executive information security management. Topics focus on leadership, strategic management, innovation, and cutting-edge solutions to the challenges of leading information security programs.

CISO Forum Canada will mobilize leaders from across Canada as speakers and attendees for keynotes, panel discussions, and round-tables followed by an executive reception.

When and where is the conference being held?

The in-person event will take place in Toronto, Canada, on February 4, 2026. Registration starts at 8 AM EST.

Will there be trade show booths/exhibit areas?

Yes! Come network and connect with exhibitors at the conference.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept all major credit cards.

Do you offer Government employee pricing or Student discounts?

Yes we do! Valid identification will be required at check-in. The conference is open to Director level and above.

What is your Code of Conduct?

Our conference is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any conference venue, including talks, workshops, parties, Twitter and other online media. Participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference (without a refund) at the discretion of the conference organizers.

Tickets

How do I get tickets?

You can purchase tickets right through our website at siberx.org.

Can I buy tickets at the door?

Purchasing tickets at the door will be subject to availability.

Do I need a physical ticket/how do I check in?

Simply purchase your ticket on siberx.org, and once you arrive at the event, have your photo ID ready to show the check-in desk.

What if I want to cancel or refund my ticket?

There are no returns, refunds, or exchanges. Should the event you have purchased tickets for be cancelled, you will be refunded the amount you paid for your tickets (minus order processing, service and delivery fees) using the same payment method used for purchase. If the event is postponed, we will contact you with the new date and time. Event personnel have the right to refuse entry to any ticket holder for any reason at their discretion. Venue and talent are subject to change without notice and are not grounds for a refund.

I accidentally bought the wrong ticket. Can I exchange it?

Please email [email protected].

Is there a travel discount?

Yes — VIA Rail is offering a 10% discount (via promo code 15835) for travel to Ottawa for bookings made between September 18–29, 2025. Applies to Economy through Sleeper classes, for up to two passengers per booking; some fare classes excluded. Discounted rates are subject to availability.

Location

What's the venue’s address?

The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, 600 Hwy 7, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 1B2

Is there free parking?

No. Paid and valet parking available.

What's the closest airport to the venue?

Toronto Pearson Airport is the closest major airport.

Which hotel should I stay at for this event and do you offer discounted rates?

Please email [email protected]. Discounted rates are subject to availability.

Is the venue accessible?

Yes.

Can I bring my service animals?

Yes.

Food/Beverage

Will there be food provided, and what if I have a dietary restriction?

Yes, breakfast, lunch, and coffee breaks will be provided and are included with your ticket purchase. Please indicate any dietary restrictions when purchasing your ticket. If you missed including your dietary restrictions at purchase, please send an email with your ticket confirmation number and restrictions to [email protected].

Getting Involved

How can I volunteer for this event?

Apply at siberx.org/volunteer.

How can I become a sponsor/partner for this event?

Please email [email protected].

How can I speak on a panel?

A call for papers will be shared for submissions.

Where can I ask more questions?

Please use our live chat button to connect to support right away, or email [email protected].

CPE Credits

Can I earn CPE Credits at this event?

Absolutely!

How do I earn CPE Credits?

siberX monitors attendance and reports on CPE credits. For in-person sessions: Attendees seeking CPE credits must register at the conference and complete checkout in person.

How are my credits calculated?

In accordance with Standard Number 16 of the Statement on Standards for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Programs, our activities are measured by actual program length, with one 50-minute period equal to one CPE credit. For segments shorter than 50 minutes, the sum of the segments is considered. For example, five 30-minute presentations would equal 150 minutes and be counted as three CPE credits.

How do I claim my credits?

An email will be sent post-conference along with the CPE form. Please complete and submit the form.

CISO of the Year Award ▾

Eligibility: Nominees must be serving as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or equivalent in a public, private, or non-profit organization.

What we’re looking for: Exceptional leadership and a transformative impact on security posture, with evidence of innovative strategies and effective risk management.

Other considerations include:

Measures of demonstrated impact on organizational security and resilience.
Evidence of leadership in driving successful security initiatives and programs.
Examples of collaboration and effective communication with cross-functional teams and senior leadership.
Contributions to the broader cybersecurity community (thought leadership, mentorship, advocacy).
Advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion within cybersecurity.

Emerging Cybersecurity Leader Award ▾

Eligibility: Nominees have been serving in senior cybersecurity role(s) for five years or less.

What we’re looking for: Strong leadership potential, innovative problem-solving, and a proactive approach to challenges, with standout achievements.

Other considerations include:

Evidence of measurable and successful initiatives led within their organization.
Innovative, forward-thinking approaches to complex cybersecurity issues.
Ability to lead, inspire, and adapt in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Commitment to continuous improvement and team/industry advancement.
Efforts to foster an inclusive and diverse security culture.

Community Champion Award ▾

Purpose: Recognizes significant contributions to growth, inclusivity, and collaboration within the cybersecurity community.

What we’re looking for: Leaders advancing cybersecurity through outreach, education, and advocacy—making tangible, positive impact.

Other considerations include:

Championing DEI and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups.
Leadership in initiatives that promote community growth (education, workshops, awareness events).
Evidence of mentorship supporting the next generation of professionals.
Advocacy for public awareness and understanding of cybersecurity issues.
Concrete examples of improved lives/careers, safety online, or access to opportunities.

Lifetime Achievement Award ▾

Eligibility: 10+ years working directly in cybersecurity service delivery and/or programming.

What we’re looking for: A sustained track record of innovation, community engagement, and leadership across Canada.

Other considerations include:

Demonstrated impact on organizations and people.
Innovation and leadership in launching new products or programs.
Change-making initiatives to increase diversity in cybersecurity.
Current engagements through mentorship and community groups.
Efforts to advance equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

Visionary Award ▾

Eligibility: Senior leaders in cybersecurity, technology, or innovation roles.

What we’re looking for: Bold, innovative approaches that push boundaries—pioneering strategies, redefining frameworks, leveraging emerging tech, or advancing research and education.

Other considerations include:

New, groundbreaking initiatives that redefine practices.
Innovative application of AI/ML or predictive analytics to strengthen resilience.
Long-term organizational impact through forward-looking strategies.
Ability to inspire and align teams and executives.
Thought leadership/advocacy on emerging trends and workforce inclusion.

Nominate with Confidence

Read through the categories above and pick the best fit for your nominee. If you’re unsure, choose the closest match—our team will align the submission to the most appropriate category during review.

Tip: Use the form notes to highlight results, metrics, and links that showcase impact (initiatives led, outcomes, community contributions, DEI efforts, etc.).

Photos