Operational resilience vs. Cyber resilience: Cybersecurity challenges for SMBs & Growing talent gap

10 Questions to Cyber Resilience – Episode: Future of Cybersecurity & Operational Resilience with François Guay

Welcome to 10 Questions to Cyber Resilience, presented by Assurance IT. In this bi-monthly series, we dive into how IT leaders and cybersecurity experts are strengthening their practices and building cyber resilience. Each episode brings you closer to mastering cybersecurity through engaging interviews with industry leaders.

In this episode, we’re joined by François Guay, Founder of the Canadian Cybersecurity Network (CCN) and a leading expert in cybersecurity talent recruitment. François discusses the future of cybersecurity in Canada, but the conversation extends beyond just cyber threats. He explores operational resilience—how businesses can not only defend against cyber risks but also maintain strong operations amid disruption.

🎧 Episode Highlights

• Cybersecurity Challenges for Canadian SMBs: François outlines the biggest cybersecurity challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses in Canada and how they can address them.
• Key Cybersecurity Trends: Get insights into the emerging trends that are shaping the cybersecurity landscape, both in Canada and globally.
• Bridging the Talent Gap: Discover how businesses and professionals can overcome the growing cybersecurity talent gap.
• Operational Resilience: Learn why operational resilience is just as critical as cyber resilience and how businesses can stay strong in the face of disruption.
• Future-Proofing Against Cyber Threats: François shares practical advice on how businesses can future-proof themselves against both cyber and operational threats.
• Predictions for 2025: François offers his expert predictions for what’s next in the cybersecurity landscape, particularly in Canada.

🎙️ Meet the Expert

François Guay – Founder, Canadian Cybersecurity Network

François Guay is the founder of the Canadian Cybersecurity Network (CCN), Canada’s largest cybersecurity network, connecting over 44,000 members across various sectors. He also founded Canadian Cybersecurity Jobs, Canada’s dedicated cybersecurity job portal, and launched CyberVoices, a platform fostering discussions on key cybersecurity trends in Canada. François has authored pivotal reports, including the State of Cybersecurity in Canada and CyberTowns, which have shaped how organizations approach cybersecurity.

An expert recruiter and consultant, François regularly speaks at global cybersecurity conferences and summits, offering strategic insights to corporations worldwide. He’s passionate about mentorship and developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

🔗 François Guay on LinkedIn

Luigi Tiano – Co-founder & President, Assurance IT

With 25 years of experience in cybersecurity, Luigi is an expert in data protection and endpoint security. As Co-founder of Assurance IT, he helps organizations enhance their cybersecurity postures through the PPR Methodology (Prepare, Protect, Recover).

🔗 Luigi Tiano on LinkedIn

About Assurance IT

Assurance IT specializes in data protection and data privacy for mid-market companies in North America since 2011. Their PPR Methodology (Prepare, Protect, Recover) helps organizations achieve cyber resilience through industry best practices, simplifying cybersecurity and compliance objectives.