Infosec Seminar – November 2024
InfoSec Seminar – November 2024
The Information Systems Security and Assurance Management (ISSAM) Department in Mihalcheon School of Management proudly invites you to the monthly InfoSec Seminar. The seminar series is open to anyone who is interested in security research and technologies, not only to Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) members.
Date and Time: Wednesday November 6th, 2024 @ 12:00 – 1:00 MT (Edmonton, AB time)
Meeting Link: https://meet.google.com/pax-jknz-qpi
Speaker
Calvin Engen – CTO, CISSP, Managing Partner
As the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of F12.net, a leading Managed Security Services Provider, Calvin Engen brings a wealth of experience and insight into the ever-changing landscape of cyber security. With over 18 years at F12, Calvin oversees not only internal security and compliance but also spearheads the company’s research, development, and client-facing Security teams. A holder of the esteemed Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification, Calvin is at the forefront of information security, offering a rich blend of technical and managerial expertise.
Calvin’s commitment to excellence has played an integral role in shaping F12’s comprehensive suite of services, which include boutique private cloud solutions, cyber security measures, and hardware-as-a-service. Having climbed the ranks from his initial role to Director of IT in 2012 and eventually CTO in 2019, Calvin’s innovative thinking and leadership skills have set the standard in the industry.
Passionate about education and advocacy, Calvin is a sought-after speaker at business forums across Canada, addressing critical topics like data privacy, cloud services, and of course, cybersecurity. He serves as the only Canadian member of the WatchGuard Advisory Council and BlackPoint Cyber Advisory Council and collaborates with the Canada Chamber of Commerce on their “Cyber. Right. Now!” initiative, aimed at elevating cyber security measures and advocacy across Canadian businesses. Under Calvin’s stewardship, F12 became an early Tier 1 Microsoft Cloud Partner and was among the first in Canada to achieve both SOC 2 Type 2 and CyberSecure Canada certifications, positioning the company as a leader in secure IT solutions. Outside of his professional life, Calvin is a man of varied interests. He cherishes spending quality time with his wife and four young sons, enjoys traveling across North America, and is a devotee of meditation. An avid researcher at heart, Calvin never stops learning and strives to remain ever youthful in both spirit and practice.
Talk Description
The Seduction of Cyber Tools and AI: Are Your Defenses Armed or Just for Show?
In an era of rapidly evolving cyber threats, businesses—particularly SMEs or Cyber Professionals—are often lured by the allure of cutting-edge cybersecurity tools and AI-powered defenses. But are these tools truly safeguarding their networks, or simply providing a false sense of security?
This talk explores the current threat landscape, where AI plays a pivotal role on both sides of the cyber battlefield. On the defensive front, AI promises to revolutionize threat detection and response, offering automation and predictive analytics. Yet, cybercriminals are equally adept at weaponizing AI, using it offensively to breach defenses in innovative ways.
For SMEs, the stakes are even higher. Resource constraints often lead to security gaps, leaving them vulnerable despite adopting compelling cybersecurity tools. The discussion will highlight the critical challenges SMEs face, the common vulnerabilities in their security posture, and the importance of continuous validation of security controls.
Finally, the session will address the seductive nature of investing in cyber tools, and the risk of complacency when organizations fail to validate whether these tools are truly working. Continuous monitoring, assessment, and validation are essential to ensuring defenses remain armed—rather than just for show.
Contact. If you have any questions regarding the seminar series, please contact Shawn Thompson or Eslam G. AbdAllah, MISSM, Mihalcheon School of Management at shawn.thompson@concordia.ab.ca, eslam.abdallah@concordia.ab.ca