This article first appeared in Issue No. 85, December 2025 of Canadian SME magazine.
Connie Tang, Director of Public Sector and Small Business at Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst
Connie Tang is the Director, Public Sector and Small Business at Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, Toronto Metropolitan University’s national centre for training, innovation and collaboration in cybersecurity. In her role at the Catalyst, she is responsible for developing cybersecurity training programs for municipalities, provincial governments, and small and medium-sized businesses, and tech startups. Prior to joining the Catalyst, Connie was the Director of Strategy and Business Development of Research Impact Canada at York University, where she was responsible for the Centre’s partnerships and training for 40+ universities and colleges across Canada. She’s worked in research communications, skills development with SMEs, and government relations. Connie completed her MSc at the University of Toronto in chemistry and serves on the Board of Directors for the Toronto Region Conservation Authority. An empathetic and action-oriented leader, Connie is passionate about testing new ways, rooted in evidence, to create community impact.
Interview by Kripa Anand
In this exclusive interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Connie Tang, Director of Public Sector and Small Business at Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, shares her insights into the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. With over two decades of experience in building impactful programs for SMEs, municipalities, and startups, Connie provides a deep dive into the innovative efforts of the Catalyst to address Canada’s growing cybersecurity challenges.
Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst has become a central force in advancing cybersecurity training and innovation across Canada. How do you see startups and SMEs shaping the future of cybersecurity innovation, especially in protecting Ontario’s critical digital infrastructure?
Startups and small businesses will define the next wave of cybersecurity innovation. In particular, these organizations inform Canada’s approach to protecting Ontario’s critical digital infrastructure. However, the major industries in our province, ranging from advanced manufacturing to smart infrastructure, are often held hostage by legacy systems that weren’t designed to withstand today’s cyber threats. That’s where startups shine. They’re agile, creative, and unafraid to test new ideas in complex environments like operational technology – systems that power everything from hospital equipment to power grids.
At Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, we see this as one of Ontario’s greatest opportunities: we help these innovators turn bold ideas into real-world solutions through programs like our Cyber Challenge – where startups gain access to new markets, client product testing, and the tools to transition their product into a market-ready solution. The results have been inspiring. Companies have raised new investment, created jobs, and developed technologies that directly strengthen Canada’s cyber resilience.
Startups and SMEs aren’t just part of the cybersecurity ecosystem, they’re shaping it. Their energy, curiosity, and collaboration will define how we keep Ontario’s digital and industrial systems secure for years to come.
Collaboration between academia, industry, and government is a recurring theme in your work. What does successful cross-sector collaboration look like in Canada’s cybersecurity landscape, and what outcomes has the Catalyst observed from these partnerships?
True collaboration occurs when academia, industry, and government come together with a shared goal – to strengthen Canada’s digital infrastructure. Each brings something essential: universities contribute research and talent, industry brings real-world challenges and speed, and the government provides the policy and support needed to scale solutions nationally. When these sectors unite around innovation, the outcomes are powerful, and we see that clearly in the Catalyst’s own programs.
In the Cyber Challenge, the first 10 startups to advance through the program raised nearly $3 million in investment, generated $2.45 million in new sales, and filed six new IP applications – all while developing solutions focused on critical areas like operational technology, IoT security, and data privacy. It’s outcomes like these that are only possible when academia, industry, and government work together toward a shared vision.
We’ve seen a growing community of founders, mentors, and experts at the Catalyst who share knowledge openly and work toward common goals. It’s watching founders, mentors, and experts sit at the same table, trading ideas and solving challenging problems together, that affirms our vision as we tackle the next frontier in cybersecurity.
Canada’s cybersecurity talent gap continues to challenge both established firms and emerging players. What unique approaches is the Catalyst taking to equip new professionals and entrepreneurs with the skills and mindset needed to navigate this evolving field?
Canada’s cybersecurity talent gap isn’t just about a shortage of people. It’s really about a shortage of experience. At the Catalyst, we’re focused on bridging that gap by combining hands-on training with impactful mentorship.
We also put an emphasis on building non-technical skills. Our research shows that communication, problem-solving, and attention to detail are among the top qualities employers value, so we design training around real scenarios – incident simulations, stakeholder briefings, and translating technical risks for non-technical teams. Our focus is on supporting learners not just in how to build technology, but also in how to build true digital resilience.
Scaling cybersecurity startups in Canada often requires access to capital, partnerships, and real-world validation. From your vantage point at the Catalyst, what ecosystem supports or initiatives are most crucial to help these innovators grow and make global impact?
The startups that succeed are the ones that have access to three things: capital, mentorship, and real-world validation. Our programs pair founders with experienced mentors in the private sector and go-to-market strategies, and connect them to potential customers. Getting early pilots in critical sectors gives startups the chance to test, learn, and prove their solutions.
Ultimately, the ecosystem itself, comprising all levels from private, public, and academic sectors, is what truly enables scaling. It’s these connections, and the opportunities they create, that give Canadian startups the runway to grow, gain credibility, and make an impact.
Looking ahead, how can small and medium-sized businesses strengthen their cyber resilience while continuing to innovate – and what key advice would you share with SMB leaders striving to embed cybersecurity into their growth strategies from day one?
Looking ahead, I think the key for SMBs is to treat cybersecurity not as a separate security checkbox, but as part of how they innovate and grow. From there, it’s about building simple, practical processes like regular backups, basic hygiene, small steps such as regular employee training, clear incident response plans, and leveraging trusted tools, can make a big difference. At the Catalyst, we see SMBs succeed faster when they build a security-aware culture from day one, rather than retrofitting it later.
My advice to leaders? Make cybersecurity part of the conversation at the same table as business strategy, growth, and finance.