The Paradigm Shift in Cybersecurity: Ukrainian Perspective

Opening Session

9:00-9:45

Salon 5

Human Factor – The Weakest Link or First Line of Defence?

Speakers:Ioanis Nikolaidis, PhD (Professor, Faculty of Science - Computing Science, University of Alberta)Caleb Walker (Director, 1 2 3 Cyber)Andrea Oh (CEO at Savvy Knowledge) Denys Yarmosh (Co-Founder, Social Drone, Ukraine)
Moderator: Kassie Burkholder (Executive Director, Corporate and Continuing Education, NAIT)

10:00-10:45

Salon 5

Speaker Series: Information Warfare & Narrative Resilience

Speakers: Illia Bozhko (Maj. Ret’d Armed Forces of Ukraine, Information security, Strategic communications)
Moderator: Anton Sestritsyn (Principal, Vosavis)
This panel is sponsored by the Peterson Literary Fund's Journey for Truth Project at BCU Foundation

11:00-11:45

Salon 5

Integrated Architecture for the Protection of Critical and Defence Infrastructure

Speakers: Amanda Lockhart, Founder & CEO at Canada Security CollectiveSteve Porter, CEO/Founder at Secured Net Solutions Inc.Michael Spaling, CISO at MacEwan University
Moderator: Sehrish Ali, Sr. Management Consultant (Enterprise GRC) at Edmonton Police Services

13:00-14:00

Salon 5

Cybersecurity in Energy & Critical Infrastructure

Speakers:Hadis Karimipour, Ph.D., P.Eng., SMIEEE (Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Secure and Resilient Cyber-physical Systems, Associate Professor, University of Calgary)Martin Higgins (Associate Professor at Concordia University)Cara Wolf (CEO, Ammolite Security)
Moderator: Yuliia Marcinkoski (CEO at UCan Brave Tech)

14:45-15:30

Salon 5

From Platforms to Networks: Drones, EW, and Cyber Resilience in Modern Conflict

Speakers: Denys Yarmosh (Co-Founder, Social Drone, Ukraine)Yurii Tkachuk (Software Engineer, Social Drone, Ukraine)
Moderator: John Hryniw (Managing Director at Foxhound Strategies)

Modern conflict is no longer defined by standalone platforms but by the strength of interconnected systems. The integration of drones, unmanned ground vehicles, electronic warfare, and cyber capabilities has shifted advantage toward forces that can operate as adaptive, resilient networks. In this environment, success depends on real-time data exchange, interoperability, and the ability to sustain operations under constant disruption. The battlefield is now a dynamic ecosystem—where trusted partnerships, decentralized capabilities, and system-level resilience determine operational effectiveness.

9:00-9:45

Salon 5

Speaker Series: Cloud & Data Protection for Alberta Industries

Presenter: Sergii Karpenchuk (Managing Parter, NordAlign)
Moderator: Mykola Holovetskyi (Head of Government Special Delivery at the Ministry of Technology and Innovation)

Operational resilience now hinges on secure, distributed ERP systems and robust data protection—not just infrastructure. Ukrainian energy and natural resource leaders have demonstrated how resilient ERP environments enable continuity under extreme disruption. This Speaker Series session will showcase real-world examples from Ukraine’s major industry players, highlighting how these systems performed under live operational stress.

10:00-10:45

Salon 5

Decision Superiority in the Age of Adaptive AI

Speakers:Cory Janssen (Co-Founder and CEO at Alta ML)Martin Dinel (Chief Information Security Officer at CyberAlberta and Assistant Deputy Minister, Cybersecurity Division at the Ministry of Technology and Innovation of Alberta)Oleksandr Lazarchuk (Cyber Security Consultant)Taras Bublyk (Head of International Strategy, Unwave)
Moderator: Medaline Hann, Senior Manager at KPMG

In 2026, artificial intelligence is evolving from analytical support tools into systems that sense, fuse, prioritize, and act at operational speed. In aviation, aerospace, and defence environments, this shift directly impacts mission assurance, targeting cycles, cyber resilience, and human–machine command structures.
This discussion explores how organizations can maintain decision dominance while integrating adaptive AI, balancing autonomy with control, speed with oversight, and innovation with operational accountability.

13:00-13:45

Main Stage 

Speaker Series: Getting Defence Ready: Security & Compliance

Presenter: Caleb Walker (Director, 1 2 3 Cyber)

This speaker series session is designed as a practical, workshop-style discussion that walks organizations through Canada’s Cyber Security Certification Program (CSCP), with a focus on the transition from Level 1 to Level 2 requirements. It will unpack what the shift means in operational terms—covering governance, documentation, technical controls, and audit readiness—while clarifying how cybersecurity certification is becoming a prerequisite for participation in defence supply chains. Through expert insights and real-world considerations, the session will provide a clear, actionable understanding of the process, common gaps, and how companies can effectively prepare for Level 2 compliance.

14:00-15:00

Salon 5