Catherine Middleton is a Professor at the Ted Rogers School of Information Technology Management. Her project aims to fill gaps in cybersecurity research by focusing on how older Canadians navigate digital risks and security measures. Using a mixed-methods approach, she plans to analyze Statistics Canada’s Canadian Internet Use Survey data to understand older adults’ cybersecurity practices and supplement this with qualitative interviews to explore their attitudes and behaviours in depth. Collaborating with experts from Concordia University, Catherine intends to co-design educational materials aimed at enhancing older adults.

Richard Wang is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Toronto Metropolitan University. His project focuses on integrating cybersecurity measures into computer vision technologies, which are increasingly critical in sectors such as healthcare, transportation, and personal devices. The project aims to ensure the robustness and resilience of computer vision systems against security threats, safeguarding sensitive visual data and maintaining ethical usage standards. Specifically, Richard will develop techniques for privacy preservation and protection, alongside enhancing the security and reliability of vision systems. This research addresses the pressing need for secure and trustworthy computer vision applications, crucial for their widespread adoption and safe operation in various domains.

Pamela Robinson MCIP RPP is a Professor at the School of Urban and Regional Planning, Toronto Metropolitan University. Her project’s goal is to integrate cybersecurity into urban planning discussions, which often overlook this critical aspect. Pamela plans to assess and enhance cybersecurity awareness among urban planners and city builders, fostering collaboration through partnerships with organizations like MISA Ontario and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute. By developing practical tools and fostering dialogue within the Catalyst community, she aims to ensure more secure and resilient urban technologies. Her extensive experience in urban planning and engagement with emerging technologies uniquely qualifies her to lead this interdisciplinary effort within the Catalyst Fellowship.

Jordan Shaw-Young is the Chief of Staff for Security Services at BlueVoyant. Building on his Master of Science in Management dissertation from the London School of Economics, Jordan’s project aims to refine the analytical framework and produce practical tools to help founders and management teams make informed cybersecurity decisions. His research focuses on investment decision-making in early-stage technology startups, seeking to guide managers without cybersecurity expertise in effectively directing limited resources. This project aligns with Catalyst’s mission to enhance cybersecurity capabilities in the digital sector.

Jordan Melzer is a Senior Engineer at TELUS Communications. His project aims to develop a framework to protect Internet of Things (IoT) devices from compromise and enhance network resilience. Jordan plans to expand the application of IoT behaviour fencing through the IETF’s Manufacturer Usage Description (MUD) modelling, incorporating new scenarios like ISP-assisted IoT deployment in 5G private networks and physical behaviour profiling. The project will also involve proof of concept implementations, leveraging and improving existing open implementations and standards. With a focus on 5G private networks for industrial applications and advancements in machine learning techniques for cybersecurity, Jordan’s work aligns with Catalyst’s mission to enhance digital security.

Jasbir Kooner is the Director of Cybersecurity at Englobe Corp. Her project addresses the underrepresentation of women in the field, who make up just 25% of the cybersecurity workforce. Jasbir’s research will leverage AI to develop practical recommendations to assess current participation levels, identify effective recruitment and retention strategies, and evaluate their impact across North American organizations. Jasbir’s background in Computer Science and her experiences in the tech industry provide valuable insights for this project, aligning well with Catalyst’s mission to advance diversity and inclusion in cybersecurity.