Securing Canada’s Digital Future: The Role of Cybersecurity
In-Person Conference in Partnership with the University of Waterloo Cybersecurity & Privacy Institute
Sponsored by:
As threats grow in complexity, Canada faces critical cybersecurity policy challenges, from the prevention of cyberattacks to the balancing of innovation with privacy and security. With AI and machine learning playing an ever greater role, what policies and strategies are needed to ensure the safe development and deployment of digital technologies that drive growth while also protecting Canadians?
On Thursday, September 26th, the C.D. Howe Institute and the University of Waterloo Cybersecurity & Privacy Institute will host a policy conference on “Securing Canada’s Digital Future: The Role of Cybersecurity”.
This conference brings together leading policy, industry, and academic experts to address the intersection of cybersecurity and public policy, offering insights into the strategies essential to secure Canada’s digital future.
To register - please click here.
Individual Price $199
This conference is open to members and non-members and their guests.
Session I: Preparing for Future Cyberattacks on Our Public Assets
Key discussion questions:
- What factors have contributed to the recent increase in cyberattacks on public assets?
- What are the most significant lessons that governments and industry must learn from previous cyberattacks on public institutions?
- What best practices should be adopted to secure critical systems against catastrophic failures?
- What strategies are most effective in dealing with dynamic and evolving phishing attacks?
Speakers:
Florian Kerschbaum, Professor in the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo
Sebastian Fischmeister, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and NSERC/Magna Industrial Research Chair in Automotive Software for Connected and Automated Vehicles
Daniela Spagnolo, Chief Information Security Officer for Government Information Technology Ontario
Session II: How Do we Ensure AI Innovation while Maintaining Privacy and Public Trust?
Key discussion questions:
- How can companies mitigate privacy risks associated with using AI that have access to sensitive and critical data?
- How has AI been used in different sectors and industries to promote cybersecurity, innovation and growth?
- How can we create an ecosystem that fuels economic growth through AI innovation without compromising public trust?
Speakers:
Christopher Parsons, Acting Director of Technology Policy, Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
Anindya Sen, Professor of Economics & Acting Executive Director, Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute, University of Waterloo
Helen Chen, Professor of Practice at School of Public Health Science, cross appointed with the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, and the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science
Keynote Lunch: Nation-States and the Weaponization of Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities
Speaker:
Charles Eagan, Co-Chair National Strategy Council, AIoT Canada
Session III: How Can Good Policy and Information Sharing Prevent Future Cyberattacks?
Key discussion questions:
- What are the key considerations that should guide our information sharing policies?
- How can we do information sharing effectively, efficiently, and safely?
- What are the tangible benefits of improved information sharing?
Speakers:
Jennifer Quaid, Executive Director, Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange
Masoumeh Shafieinejad, Applied ML scientist, Vector Institute
Karen McGuinness, Senior Vice-President, Office of the Investor, Member Intake, and Innovation, Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization
Session IV: Generative AI and Privacy
Key discussion questions:
- How will the rapid growth of Gen AI reshape our discussions and debates around cybersecurity and privacy?
- What policies, regulations, and work practices are required to respond to this?
- What opportunities exist, and how can Canada lead the way towards seizing them?
Speakers:
Meng Xu, Assistant Professor in the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science
Gary Edwards, PhD, Principal and Founder, Golfdale Consulting
to ET