In our ongoing effort to foster collaboration and innovation, ORION hosted the fifth annual ON-CHEC Day on November 22, 2024. Over the past six years, the Ontario Cybersecurity Higher Education Consortium (ON-CHEC) has been dedicated to protecting the higher education sector from ever-evolving digital threats. Today, ON-CHEC proudly includes 45 institutions with 35 in Ontario and 10 in Nova Scotia, demonstrating significant growth and an increasing need for security.
To further support the community and ensure stakeholders are well-informed, ORION hosts ON-CHEC weekly touchpoint calls and monthly webinars. These sessions are opportunities to share the latest insights, explore strategies, and stay ahead of the latest digital threats, ensuring that organizations remain resilient in an ever-changing cybersecurity landscape.
ON-CHEC Day continues to be a cornerstone of this effort, offering another valuable opportunity for our community to connect, share knowledge, and collaborate on cybersecurity initiatives that strengthen our sector together. This year’s theme “Cybersecurity Readiness” underscored the importance of proactivity and resilience, emphasizing the significance of staying one step ahead of threat actors. In fact, this was our most well-attended ON-CHEC Day with over 100 participants.
As higher education remains a target for ransomware attacks, with Canada ranking as the third most targeted country globally after the United States and the United Kingdom, it’s critical to recognize that cybersecurity is not merely an IT concern, but a shared responsibility across an entire organization. Regardless of their role, every individual has a part to play in safeguarding information and data. For that reason, ON-CHEC Day 2024 focused on cultivating security awareness and collaboration across all levels.
By leveraging the collective wisdom and expertise of our diverse community, we can better prepare for and overcome the challenges of a constantly evolving digital landscape. Together, we can create a safer and more secure digital environment for higher education.
Spotlight on ON-CHEC Day 2024 Sessions
Read on for the highlights from ON-CHEC Day 2024, featuring the impactful sessions, showcasing expert insights and actionable strategies for the ON-CHEC community.
Women in Cybersecurity Part 4: Building a Resilient Cybersecurity Future
Back by popular demand, the Women in Cybersecurity panel highlighted the contributions of women leaders in cybersecurity by exploring the skills, tools, and strategies necessary for a secure future. Victoria Distrito (Security Analyst, ORION), Allison Boutilier (CIO, Cape Breton University), Priya Mouli (Head of Information Security & Compliance, Sheridan College), and Lindsay MacDonald (Manager of Cybersecurity Partnerships, Canadian Centre for Cyber Security) shared their experiences, underscoring the importance of diversity in fostering cyber resilience.
How to Establish Governance, Security, and Adoption in the Era of Generative AI
Pirabu Pathmasenan (Senior Security Technical Sales Manager, IBM) and Amna Jamal (Data and AI Market Leader, IBM) provided insights into managing the balance between AI innovation and security, outlining best practices for governance frameworks and the risks and opportunities of generative AI in cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity Trends and the Power of Cyber Insurance
Patrick Bourk (Cyber & Professional Lines Practice Leader, Navacord) discussed the critical role of cyber insurance in mitigating risks associated with data breaches and ransomware. This session offered actionable advice for organizations developing incident response plans.
The Human Experience @ Work – A New Model for Wellness, Psychological Safety, and Engagement
John Moore (CEO, Mental Fitness IQ Inc.) introduced a holistic approach to integrating wellness, psychological safety, and employee engagement, emphasizing the ROI of investing in employee well-being and its impact on productivity, compliance, and risk management.
We are stronger together.
ON-CHEC Day 2024 was a celebration of collaboration and collective action. When it comes to cybersecurity, our strength lies in unity, and together, we are better prepared to tackle the challenges ahead.
Thank you to everyone for making this event a meaningful experience.
If you have any questions about ON-CHEC or are interested in joining, please contact onchec@orion.on.ca.
Let’s stay connected, share knowledge, and build on the foundation we’ve created. We look forward to continuing this journey with you.