
The countdown to Elevate Festival 2023 is underway and the Catalyst is excited to have curated the programming for the festival’s Secure & Protect stage.
Taking place on Wednesday, September 27 from 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM at St. Lawrence Centre in Toronto, come hear a diverse program of engaging discussions, fireside chats, panels and talks featuring experts from across the Canadian cybersecurity ecosystem.
Use our exclusive code ELEVATEFESTCATALYST20 to enjoy a 20% discount.
1:30 PM
ST. LAWRENCE CENTRE FOR THE ARTS - JANE MALLETT THEATRE
Secure & Protect Stage Kickoff
Join us as we kickoff the Secure & Protect stage with the Catalyst’s own Rushmi Hasham.

RUSHMI HASHAM
Director, Cybersecurity Training Programs & Cyberstart Canada
Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst
1:35 PM
ST. LAWRENCE CENTRE FOR THE ARTS - JANE MALLETT THEATRE
Cybersecurity Threats with Emerging Technologies: Bots, Malware, Disinformation, AI
The nexus between cybersecurity and emerging technologies is at the forefront of global concerns. Join us for an enlightening exploration of the shifting landscape where traditional threats meet cutting-edge innovations. From the proliferation of malicious bots to the relentless evolution of malware, and the insidious spread of disinformation campaigns to the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), this session delves deep into the heart of modern cybersecurity challenges.

SUMIT BHATIA
Director, Innovation and Policy
Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst

MATHIEU LAVOIE
CTO
Flare

AVIVA KLEIN
Vice President, Product Management
Mastercard

ALPHA CHAN
Chief Information Security Officer
Toronto Police Service
2:00 PM
ST. LAWRENCE CENTRE FOR THE ARTS - JANE MALLETT THEATRE
Banding Together to Bring an Industry Approach to Combatting Financial Crime
To proactively thwart financial crime as a nation, we need a concerted effort. In this discussion, we explore an industry-wide approach to tackling cyber crime. Join us as we share strategies and technologies to strengthen Canada’s cyber security.

ANNIE YAN
VP, Fraud Product
TD

SEAN JOYCE
Global Cybersecurity & Privacy Leader, Us Cyber, Risk & Regulatory Leader
PwC

SOPHIA LEUNG
Senior Vice President, Protect Platform, Enterprise Protect
TD Bank Group

MICHAEL BOOLE
Manager - Anti-money Laundering
FINTRAC
2:20 PM
ST. LAWRENCE CENTRE FOR THE ARTS - JANE MALLETT THEATRE
Challenges in Cybersecurity Tech Adoption: Resources, Procurement Hurdles, Understanding of Technology
In an increasingly digital world, the importance of cybersecurity has never been more critical. Yet, the adoption of cutting-edge cybersecurity technology comes with its own set of challenges. Join us for a comprehensive panel discussion that addresses the complexities organizations face when integrating cybersecurity solutions into their operations.

IRA GOLDSTEIN
Founder & CEO
Kernel Advisory

ALEXANDER RAU
Partner, Advisory Services - Cybersecurity
KPMG
2:40 PM
ST. LAWRENCE CENTRE FOR THE ARTS - JANE MALLETT THEATRE
Navigating Algorithmic Integrity in the World of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
The concept of algorithmic integrity has emerged as a critical compass to ensure that the promises of these transformative technologies align with ethical principles and societal values. This talk gets to the heart of algorithmic integrity in the world of machine learning and artificial intelligence.

JAMES STEWART
CEO
TrojAI
2:50 PM
ST. LAWRENCE CENTRE FOR THE ARTS - JANE MALLETT THEATRE
Gaps in Public Cyber Policy: Are We Keeping Up?
Everyone can relate to the impact of cyber crime, and the daunting question of “how do we combat the threats?” This fireside chat gets to the heart of the matter as we unravel the changing nature of cyber threats in Canada. Charles and Carole explore where Canada stands in keeping up with the ever-imposing threats and call for a unified approach to cybersecurity across every governmental level.

CAROLE PIOVESAN
Managing Partner
INQ Law / INQ Consulting

CHARLES FINLAY
Founding Executive Director
Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst
3:10 PM
ST. LAWRENCE CENTRE FOR THE ARTS - JANE MALLETT THEATRE
Forging a Stronger Future: Inclusivity in Cybersecurity Talent Recruitment & Retention
Discover the significance of diverse viewpoints in the Canadian Cyber Tech Industry as we uncover the factors driving talent shortages and the challenges HR and leadership encounter when it comes to securing and retaining top-tier talent. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn how these vital elements shape product innovation, contribute to a robust cybersecurity landscape, and lead the way toward a stronger, more inclusive future for Canadian Tech.

MOLLY REYNOLDS
Partner
Torys LLP

ATTY MASHATAN
Canada Research Chair & Associate Professor
Toronto Metropolitan University

FADWA MOHANNA
Founder & CEO
One37
3:35 PM
ST. LAWRENCE CENTRE FOR THE ARTS - JANE MALLETT THEATRE
Social Media: The Path Forward
Over just two decades, social media has evolved into the primary channel for personal connections and content consumption, yet it presents a challenging landscape for enterprises and governments. In this keynote, Neil highlights the significant risks it poses, from eroding credibility due to missteps to enabling widespread disinformation and becoming a common channel for cybercrime. Join Neil’s talk calling for a path forward that combines better technology and robust public policy to secure and protect individuals and organizations.

NEIL DESAI
Executive Vice-president, Technology
Viral Nation
3:50 PM
ST. LAWRENCE CENTRE FOR THE ARTS - JANE MALLETT THEATRE
Anatomy of an Attack: Decoding Cyber Threats for Enhanced Defense
It was 10:04pm when Toronto businessman Bill Daniels received a text on his personal phone. The text had one statement: All your files are encrypted and stolen by Ragnarok. If you asked Bill to describe the rest of his year, he sums it up in two words: defeated and devasted. Over 50% of the 5 billion internet users have already been compromised. Join this intriguing conversation to discover what happens when a company gets hacked and learn 5 key actions you can take to protect your systems and people.

CLAUDETTE MCGOWAN
CEO
PROTEXXA
Co-Founder
Firehood Inc.
4:10 PM
ST. LAWRENCE CENTRE FOR THE ARTS - JANE MALLETT THEATRE
Cyber Resilience: Fueling a New Era of Security Leadership and Well-Being
In the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats, resilience is your competitive advantage. Beyond the intricate technical solutions lies a profound truth: it’s all about the people. It’s imperative to safeguard our cybersecurity defenders from relentless burnout, foster strategic alliance that fortify our defences & ignite a transformation where business leaders emerge as the vanguards of security.

RUSHMI HASHAM
Director, Cybersecurity Training Programs & Cyberstart Canada
Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst
