Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical necessity — it’s a leadership imperative. As governments embrace digital transformation, strong cyber leadership sits at the core of maintaining public confidence, operational resilience, and national security. This session explores how the Government of Canada is shaping a trusted, secure digital state through strategic vision, governance, and collaboration.

Key Discussion Points:

• Strengthening cyber leadership as a foundation for digital trust and resilience
  
• Balancing innovation, risk, and compliance in a rapidly evolving threat landscape
  
• Building a culture of security across departments and public service teams
  
• Embedding AI and automation into detection, response, and recovery frameworks

AI is transforming how cybersecurity teams detect, predict, and respond to threats across complex federal networks. But as automation expands, leaders must ensure these tools enhance—not replace—human judgment. This session explores how public sector organizations are integrating AI into their security operations to build faster, smarter, and more adaptive defense models.

This session will help you apply new approaches on how you can:

• Leverage AI and analytics for real-time threat monitoring and anomaly detection
  
• Automate incident response while preserving human oversight
  
• Reduce alert fatigue and accelerate decision-making through intelligent triage
  
• Build trust in AI-driven security operations across teams and leadership

Saul Bartoli

Senior Technical Advisor, Cybersecurity, Chief Digital Officer Sector, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Kush Gidda

Director, Cyber and IT Security, Ontario Power Generation

Daniel Ladouceur

Chief Integrated Risk Management - DIM Secure, The Department of National Defence

Representative

TBC, Recorded Future

Quantum computing is redefining what’s possible in data processing—and what’s at risk. As the public sector prepares for the next wave of technological disruption, governments must act now to protect sensitive systems from quantum-enabled threats.

This session explores how agencies are re-evaluating encryption, infrastructure, and policy frameworks to ensure long-term security resilience. From quantum-safe cryptography to AI-driven threat modeling, learn how forward-thinking leaders are modernizing cybersecurity to stay ahead of the curve.

This session will help you apply new approaches on how you can:

• Assess the impact of quantum technologies on today’s security systems
  
• Implement quantum-resilient encryption and key management strategies
  
• Strengthen readiness through cross-agency coordination and simulation exercises
  
• Balance innovation and security in planning for post-quantum transformation

Split into specialized conversation areas and join engaging discussions to dive deeper into your innovation priorities.

Roundtable 1 - Zero Trust in Practice: What It Really Takes to Secure a Modern Government Workforce

Roundtable 2 - From Alerts to Action: Using Threat Intelligence to Drive Faster, Smarter Decisions

Roundtable 3 - Identity as the New Perimeter: Strengthening Access, Trust, and Accountability Across Government Facilitated by Ping Identity.

Roundtable 4 - Protecting Sensitive Data Without Slowing Government Work

Roundtable 5 - Cyber Risk Through a Leadership Lens: Translating Technical Risk into Executive Decisions

Roundtable 6 - Securing the Supply Chain and Third Parties in a Connected Government Ecosystem

Artificial Intelligence is transforming cybersecurity—unlocking new tools to predict, detect, and defend against threats faster than ever before. But alongside the promise comes hesitation, with public sector leaders grappling with questions of trust, ethics, and responsible adoption. This panel explores how governments can lean into AI’s opportunities while addressing the risks head-on.

This session will help you apply new approaches on how you can:

• Harness AI-driven analytics to strengthen real-time threat detection and response
  
• Build transparency and governance frameworks that ensure AI use is responsible and trusted
  
• Overcome cultural and organizational resistance by building confidence in AI adoption
  
• Balance human expertise and machine intelligence to achieve stronger security outcomes

Nisrine Slaymane

Director General, Cyber Security, Operations and Platforms Support, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Meagan Collins

Manager, Analytics and Data Science, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

Michael Kalin

Director, Client Experience, Service Canada

Technology is only as strong as the people behind it. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, the greatest defense lies not just in systems, but in awareness, culture, and collaboration. This session explores how federal organizations are investing in their people—building the knowledge, confidence, and shared responsibility needed to defend against evolving digital risks.

From leadership strategy to frontline readiness, discover how the public sector is reframing cybersecurity as a human challenge—one that blends technology with trust, empathy, and empowerment.

This session will help you apply new approaches on how you can:

• Foster a culture of cyber awareness and accountability across your workforce
  
• Equip teams with the tools and training to identify and respond to threats
  
• Strengthen leadership engagement in cybersecurity strategy and planning
  
• Balance human judgment with AI-enabled automation for smarter defense

Cyber threats are evolving faster than ever, and traditional defense models can’t keep pace. Artificial intelligence is transforming how governments detect, analyze, and respond to cyber incidents—enabling real-time visibility, adaptive defenses, and smarter decision-making at scale.

This session explores how public sector organizations are operationalizing AI to strengthen security resilience, reduce response times, and anticipate risks before they strike. From automation to predictive analytics, discover how AI is redefining cyber defense for a faster, safer, and more connected government.

This session will help you apply new approaches on how you can:

• Leverage AI and machine learning to detect anomalies and predict attacks
  
• Integrate automated response tools to reduce incident dwell time
  
• Combine human expertise with AI intelligence for faster, smarter decisions
  
• Build trusted frameworks to ensure ethical, transparent use of AI in cybersecurity