Defending Canada from the Escalating Threat of Cybercrime

GTEC Cyber Security Program Arms Professionals with the Know-how to Abate Cyber Threats Inside and Out

OTTAWA, Ontario, Oct. 4, 2016 /CNW/ -- The challenge of cyber security has escalated from an IT problem into a strategic corporate issue that demands C-suite ownership and action.  And when it comes to cybercrime risk and impact, there is no shortage of data to support cyber security threats as a nation-wide priority and global concern that is approaching crisis levels. Cyber incidents increased by 38 percent from 2014 to 2015[1], with the average cost of a cyber breach exceeding $3.79 million[2]. The estimated cost of global cyberattacks is $400 billion annually, and this figure is expected to catapult to $2 trillion by 2019[3].  Cyber security is not a defensive game. In a rapidly evolving digital world, C-level executives must arm their organization with an offensive strategy that mitigates and addresses cyber risk.  It is a challenge that GTEC aims to help leaders address head-on.

GTEC, Canada's internationally recognized forum for enabling and celebrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) leadership, innovation and impact in Canada's public sector, is joining forces with IBM and TELUS to deliver its annual Cyber Security Program on November 1, 2016. With the compelling theme, All Hands on Deck: Cyber Security is Everyone's Business, this interactive one-day event will launch GTEC's flagship conference at the Shaw Centre.

Leveraging the expertise of many cyber security authorities, this full-day program will bring together more than 150 professionals from the public and private sector to:

• Better understand the source of cyber threats and the impact of a cyberattack;
• Explore proactive 'security by design' strategies that help mitigate internal and external cyber threats; and
• Acquire insight and lessons learned on cyberattack management, and how to reduce the impact of a cyber breach.

The program will offer executive insight, best practices and case studies around the emerging era of cognitive security, security by design, addressing Canada's security skills gap, and the danger of malicious and unintentional incidents within the enterprise.

"Today, executives aim to better anticipate and even predict threats before they happen," said Patrick Vandenberg, World Wide Program Director of IBM Security. "Companies have massive volumes of data to process to determine threats and next course of action, but with very little time to do it, plus deal with new attacks that are constantly emerging. Cyber threats demand new thinking and approaches, such as those enabled by the latest cognitive capabilities. Cognitive computing can provide unprecedented insight into cyber threats, enable a more targeted, timely and impactful response, and ultimately help address the security skills gap."

"In this digital age, cyber security influences every facet of a business from its corporate strategy and technology roadmap to the network and infrastructure that supports it," said Marc Kneppers, Chief Security Architect, TELUS.  "It is critical for all organizations to prioritize cyber security; develop a strategy; and make the investments required to execute successfully.  An action plan underpinned by the right technology and expertise helps to mitigate the many financial, business and social implications of a cyberattack."

"Insider threats can emerge from individuals who exploit legitimate access to the cyber assets of an organization for unauthorized and malicious purposes, or who unwittingly create cyber vulnerabilities," said Adam Hatfield, Senior Director, Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre, Public Safety Canada. "Today, insider cyber security mitigation demands the same commitment as corporate reputation and safety management. Every employee, from the front line to the C-suite, must be engaged."

As Cyber Security Awareness month kicks off, GTEC is ramping-up to its cyber security program and targeted security track with an informative Twitter chat on 'insider' cyber risk on October 13, 2016 with moderator Kelly Jackson Higgins, Executive Editor at Dark Reading.   It will set the stage for the complete roster of GTEC Cyber Security Program speakers just a few weeks later, including:

• Jeff Curtis, Chief Privacy Officer, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Hospital
• Adam Hatfield, Senior Director, Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre, Public Safety Canada
• Scott Jones, Deputy Chief, IT Security, Communications Security Establishment
• Marc Kneppers, Chief Security Architect, TELUS
• Jamie O'Hare, Security Practice Lead, TELUS
• Heather Ricciuto, Transformation and Academic Initiatives Leader, IBM Security
• Sandra Saric, Vice President, Talent Innovation, Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC)
• Patrick Vandenberg, World Wide Program Director, IBM Security

Media interviews with program speakers are available upon request.  For more information about this exclusive opportunity, please contact Sonya Shorey, Communications Strategist at: 613.851.9416 or [email protected]

For more information, visit: gtec.ca/ottawa

Register for GTEC: gtec.ca/ottawa/registration-and-pricing 

• Registrants can save $100 on All Access and One-Day Conference Passes to attend the GTEC Cyber Security Pre-Conference Program with marketing code: CYBERSECURITYMONTH

Apply for a GTEC Media Pass: gtec.ca/ottawa/press-centre-overview

About GTEC

GTEC is Canada's internationally recognized forum for enabling and celebrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) leadership, innovation and impact in Canada's public sector.  Since 1993, GTEC has brought together more than 100,000 public and private sector innovators, leaders and enterprises to explore and drive leading-edge ICT initiatives, application and service delivery.  Building on targeted webinars, summits, and roundtables that stimulate dialogue throughout the year, GTEC's annual flagship Conference and Exhibition attracts more than 4,500 participants, and delivers:

• Education and training opportunities that develop top ICT talent
• A robust conference program with compelling keynote presentations and panels on current strategies, opportunities and trends
• An extensive exhibition showcasing emerging technologies, innovations, and solutions that enhance productivity and performance
• A wealth of collaboration, business development and networking opportunities
• Distinction Awards that celebrate ICT excellence in Canada's public sector

For additional information on GTEC, please visit: www.gtec.ca. 

About UBM Tech

UBM Tech engages technology professionals live and online through its world-class brands, including Black Hat, InformationWeek, Enterprise Connect, Game Developers Conference (GDC), Dark Reading, HDI, GTEC, Network Computing and Interop. We're dedicated to fostering real engagement by creating environments where the technology industry can make connections, share insights, and network effectively. UBM Tech is the only media company that delivers large-scale industry events, leading online brands and content marketing services serving the Enterprise IT, Information Security, Game Development, Enterprise Communications and Technical Services and Support communities. UBM Tech is a part of UBM (UBM.L), a global provider of media and information services with a market capitalization of more than $2.5 billion. For more information, go to http://tech.ubm.com.

¹ http://www.cyberark.com/blog/fast-facts-noteworthy-cyber-security-statistics/
² http://www.businessinsider.com/cyber-attacks-are-costing-companies-millions-of-dollars-heres-how-they-can-mitigate-those-costs-2016-2?utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=webfeeds
³ http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevemorgan/2016/01/17/cyber-crime-costs-projected-to-reach-2-trillion-by-2019/#1d3c2e0a3bb0

SOURCE GTEC

Sonya Shorey, Communications Strategist, Cell: 613.851.9416, [email protected], http://www.gtec.ca