Vancouver Chapter: Canadian Cybersecurity Trends: Bridging Strategy, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and Human Expertise from a CIO Perspective

Description

CDW’s 2025 Canadian Cybersecurity Study explores the evolving cybersecurity landscape in Canada, focusing on key trends, challenges and strategies that organizations are adopting to strengthen their defenses. Drawing on extensive survey data, including 700+ Canadian firms, the report examines critical areas such as operationalizing zero trust, the impact of security testing, the slow adoption of AI, the rise of advanced threat detection technologies and the role of MDR services in bridging skills gaps.

Ivo Wiens, Field CTO Cybersecurity, and David Izzard, Senior Manager of Cybersecurity Services Research and Development, will provide expert insights into these findings. They will discuss how Canadian organizations are navigating complex security environments, leveraging emerging technologies, and overcoming operational challenges to mitigate risks. Despite widespread interest, and significant opportunity in areas like GenAI, many Canadian organizations remain stuck in the proof-of-concept (PoC) stage due to concerns around privacy, technical challenges, a lack of skills, and increasing regulatory and economic pressures.

At this session you will learn:

• What’s stopping Canadian Organizations from moving beyond AI proof-of-concept - Understand privacy, technical, and skills challenges to make real progress.
• How mature Canadian organizations are adapting to shifting regulations and staying ahead of evolving privacy laws, governance changes, and economic pressures, while also navigating the distinct differences between Canadian and US privacy laws and regulatory governance.
• What are some of the technologies and controls that organizations are looking to use to overcome these challenges.

David Izzard is a well-seasoned information technology professional with over 24 years of IT experience, the last 18 of which have been spent in Cyber Security. David has a wealth of knowledge and experience in cybersecurity strategy development, program planning, and program management, coupled with deep technical expertise.

As the Senior Manager, Cybersecurity Services Strategy and Development for CDW, David is responsible for developing and executing a multi-year strategic roadmap for bringing new professional and managed cyber security services to market for CDW’s customers.

Ivo Wiens is the field Chief Technology Officer, Cybersecurity at CDW Canada, in this role, Ivo helps set the strategy for the CDW organization, including partnership with vendors, and the development of services to best protect the Canadian market.

Ivo believes that organizations are best served when information security goals are aligned to the goals of the business, and that at CDW we are constantly striving to bridge the gap between these two areas.

Ivo has worked in the security industry across Canada for the last 17 years; with experience in professional services (technical/risk/compliance), managed security services and technical solutions.

Ivo is a SABSA certified architect and has held a CISSP for over 12 years.

Agenda

6:00 - 7:00pm – Arrival & Networking Reception

7:00 - 8:00pm – Presentation – Q & A

8:00 - 8:30pm – Networking

Hors d’oeuvres & Beverages to be served

Open to CIOCAN Members

Thank you to our sponsor