March 19, 2026 | Delta Hotels Edmonton Centre Suites

PARTNERS & SPONSORS

ROUNDTABLE OVERVIEW

About the Roundtable

The modern enterprise is no longer static. It is constantly evolving, driven by digital transformation, regulatory pressure, geopolitical uncertainty, and an expanding threat landscape. In this environment, cybersecurity leaders are expected not only to protect the organization, but to enable it to adapt, recover, and reinvent.

 

The NKST Edmonton CISO Roundtable 2026 brings together senior cybersecurity leaders for a focused, closed-door discussion on how enterprises are navigating this shift. This forum is designed for candid conversations among peers who are actively balancing risk, resilience, and reinvention in complex operational environments.

Advisory Board

Penny Longman

President
Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) – Western Canada Affiliate

Curtis L. Blais

Shared Chief Information Security Officer
Cybera

Saif Azwar

Director of Cybersecurity
Triple Five Group

Samuel Aluko

Information Security Consultant
SATACyber

James Cairns

CISO
Bow Valley College

Why Attend?

Today’s Enterprise Reality

Modern enterprises operate in environments that are digitally complex, highly regulated, and constantly targeted,while facing relentless pressure to innovate at unprecedented speed.

The Evolving Role of the CISO

Today’s CISOs are no longer just defenders; they serve as trusted risk advisors to the board, enablers of business transformation, and architects of long-term organisational resilience.

Why This Roundtable Matters

The CISO Roundtable – Edmonton 2026 creates a trusted space where CISOs can openly share lessons without vendor pressure, learn from peers navigating similar constraints, and have candid discussions about what actually works in the field.

NKST CISO Roundtable – Edmonton 2026 Agenda
12:00 PM – 1:05 PM
Session
Lunch & Registration
1:05 PM – 1:10 PM
Ceremony
Land Acknowledgment & National Anthem
Master of Ceremonies: Curtis L. Blais
1:10 PM – 1:15 PM
Opening
Opening Remarks
1:15 PM – 1:45 PM
Keynote
AI Weaponization and Self-Awareness Threat Readiness
Speaker: Martin Dinel
1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
Panel
Strengthening Alberta’s Cyber Resilience Through Cross-Sector Collaboration
Moderator: James Cairns
Panelists: Saif Azwar, Jazmin Salazar, Penny Longman, Priya Mouli
2:30 PM – 2:50 PM
Keynote
Keynote Session
Speaker: Tracey Nyholt
2:50 PM – 2:55 PM
Talk
Bsides
Speaker: James Cairns
2:55 PM – 3:25 PM
Break
Networking Break
3:25 PM – 3:55 PM
Roundtable
Roundtable Discussion
3:55 PM – 4:25 PM
Roundtable
Roundtable Presentation
4:25 PM – 4:45 PM
Presentation
Collaborating for Resilience: What a Higher Education Network Operator Can Teach the Modern Enterprise
Speaker: Barb Carra
4:45 PM – 4:55 PM
Closing
Closing Remarks
Speaker: Saif Azwar
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Session
Prize Draws and Happy Hour

Key Topics for Discussion

Speed vs Security

How organisations can move fast without creating blind spots, and where security must adapt to match business velocity.

Innovation vs Governance

Exploring how to enable experimentation and transformation while maintaining strong oversight, compliance, and accountability.

Cost Optimisation vs Risk Exposure

Balancing budget pressures with informed risk decisions, and understanding where cost-cutting can unintentionally increase exposure.

Centralised Control vs Distributed Teams

Discussing governance models that work in hybrid, cloud-first, and decentralised environments without slowing teams down.

Post Event Value

Deeper Understanding of Cyber Pain Points

Gain a clear view of the real challenges and pressures CISOs face in today’s threat landscape.

Strategic Relationship Follow-Ups

Build meaningful, targeted connections that extend beyond the roundtable.

Insights to Refine Messaging & Offerings

Use peer-driven feedback to sharpen your solutions and communications.

Long-Term Brand Trust with CISOs

Strengthen credibility and position your brand as a trusted partner for security leaders.

Conference Venue

Delta Hotels Edmonton Centre Suites

10222, 102 Street Edmonton, 
Alberta Canada, T5J4C5