Wed 25 Feb 2026
View event detailsExhibition & Catering Hall
Registration & Breakfast
7:30 AM - 8:50 AM (80 mins)
Welcome from the Public Sector Network
8:50 AM - 9:00 AM (10 mins)
Welcome from the Chair
9:00 AM - 9:20 AM (20 mins)
Securing Public Trust: Cyber Leadership at the Heart of Government
9:20 AM - 9:40 AM (20 mins)
Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical necessity — it’s a leadership imperative. As governments embrace digital transformation, strong cyber leadership sits at the core of maintaining public confidence, operational resilience, and national security. This session explores how the Government of Canada is shaping a trusted, secure digital state through strategic vision, governance, and collaboration.
Key Discussion Points:
- Strengthening cyber leadership as a foundation for digital trust and resilience
- Balancing innovation, risk, and compliance in a rapidly evolving threat landscape
- Building a culture of security across departments and public service teams
- Embedding AI and automation into detection, response, and recovery frameworks
Partner Perspective
9:40 AM - 10:00 AM (20 mins)
Cyber Optimism: Embracing the Benefits of AI and Overcoming Fear
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM (30 mins)
Artificial Intelligence is transforming cybersecurity—unlocking new tools to predict, detect, and defend against threats faster than ever before. But alongside the promise comes hesitation, with public sector leaders grappling with questions of trust, ethics, and responsible adoption. This panel explores how governments can lean into AI’s opportunities while addressing the risks head-on.
This session will help you apply new approaches on how you can:
- Harness AI-driven analytics to strengthen real-time threat detection and response
- Build transparency and governance frameworks that ensure AI use is responsible and trusted
- Overcome cultural and organizational resistance by building confidence in AI adoption
- Balance human expertise and machine intelligence to achieve stronger security outcomes
Refreshment Break
10:30 AM - 11:10 AM (40 mins)
Welcome from the Track Chair
11:10 AM - 11:20 AM (10 mins)
Welcome from the Track Chair
11:10 AM - 11:20 AM (10 mins)
Future-Proofing Cybersecurity in the Age of Quantum Computing
11:20 AM - 11:40 AM (20 mins)
Quantum computing is redefining what’s possible in data processing—and what’s at risk. As the public sector prepares for the next wave of technological disruption, governments must act now to protect sensitive systems from quantum-enabled threats.
This session explores how agencies are re-evaluating encryption, infrastructure, and policy frameworks to ensure long-term security resilience. From quantum-safe cryptography to AI-driven threat modeling, learn how forward-thinking leaders are modernizing cybersecurity to stay ahead of the curve.
This session will help you apply new approaches on how you can:
- Assess the impact of quantum technologies on today’s security systems
- Implement quantum-resilient encryption and key management strategies
- Strengthen readiness through cross-agency coordination and simulation exercises
- Balance innovation and security in planning for post-quantum transformation
AI at the Frontline: Accelerating Cyber Threat Detection and Response in Government
11:20 AM - 11:40 AM (20 mins)
Cyber threats are evolving faster than ever, and traditional defense models can’t keep pace. Artificial intelligence is transforming how governments detect, analyze, and respond to cyber incidents—enabling real-time visibility, adaptive defenses, and smarter decision-making at scale.
This session explores how public sector organizations are operationalizing AI to strengthen security resilience, reduce response times, and anticipate risks before they strike. From automation to predictive analytics, discover how AI is redefining cyber defense for a faster, safer, and more connected government.
This session will help you apply new approaches on how you can:
- Leverage AI and machine learning to detect anomalies and predict attacks
- Integrate automated response tools to reduce incident dwell time
- Combine human expertise with AI intelligence for faster, smarter decisions
- Build trusted frameworks to ensure ethical, transparent use of AI in cybersecurity
Partner Perspective
11:40 AM - 12:00 PM (20 mins)
Partner Perspective
11:40 AM - 12:00 PM (20 mins)
Beyond the Firewall: The Human Element in Cybersecurity
12:00 PM - 12:20 PM (20 mins)
Technology is only as strong as the people behind it. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, the greatest defense lies not just in systems, but in awareness, culture, and collaboration. This session explores how federal organizations are investing in their people—building the knowledge, confidence, and shared responsibility needed to defend against evolving digital risks.
From leadership strategy to frontline readiness, discover how the public sector is reframing cybersecurity as a human challenge—one that blends technology with trust, empathy, and empowerment.
This session will help you apply new approaches on how you can:
- Foster a culture of cyber awareness and accountability across your workforce
- Equip teams with the tools and training to identify and respond to threats
- Strengthen leadership engagement in cybersecurity strategy and planning
- Balance human judgment with AI-enabled automation for smarter defense
Predict, Prevent, Protect — Harnessing AI for Smarter and Faster Cyber Operations
12:00 PM - 12:20 PM (20 mins)
he future of cybersecurity lies in anticipation. Governments are moving from reactive response to predictive protection—using AI to forecast attacks, identify weak points, and automate recovery. This keynote explores how predictive intelligence and automation are driving efficiency, accuracy, and resilience across federal systems.
This session will help you apply new approaches on how you can:
- Deploy AI to predict and preempt emerging cyber threats
- Automate routine security operations to enhance human focus
- Improve decision speed through continuous learning and adaptive AI models
- Build future-ready teams equipped for AI-powered cybersecurity environments
Partner Perspective
12:20 PM - 12:40 PM (20 mins)
Partner Perspective
12:20 PM - 12:40 PM (20 mins)
Scaling Innovation: The Vulnerability of our Legacy Applications and Systems
12:40 PM - 1:10 PM (30 mins)
As governments accelerate innovation, legacy systems often remain the weakest link in cybersecurity resilience. Outdated applications, fragmented infrastructure, and technical debt not only slow transformation but expose critical vulnerabilities that can compromise entire networks.
This session explores how leaders are tackling modernization from both a risk and innovation perspective—balancing the urgency to scale new digital solutions with the discipline required to secure existing systems.
This session will help you apply new approaches on how you can:
- Identify and prioritize high-risk legacy systems for modernization
- Integrate AI and automation into vulnerability management and patching
- Strengthen cyber governance through clear accountability and lifecycle planning
- Balance innovation speed with sustainable, secure modernization strategies
Intelligent Defense: How AI is Redefining Threat Detection and Response in Government
12:40 PM - 1:10 PM (30 mins)
AI is transforming how cybersecurity teams detect, predict, and respond to threats across complex federal networks. But as automation expands, leaders must ensure these tools enhance—not replace—human judgment. This session explores how public sector organizations are integrating AI into their security operations to build faster, smarter, and more adaptive defense models.
This session will help you apply new approaches on how you can:
- Leverage AI and analytics for real-time threat monitoring and anomaly detection
- Automate incident response while preserving human oversight
- Reduce alert fatigue and accelerate decision-making through intelligent triage
- Build trust in AI-driven security operations across teams and leadership
Networking Lunch
1:10 PM - 2:10 PM (60 mins)
Interactive Roundtables
2:10 PM - 3:10 PM (60 mins)
Welcome Back from the Chair
3:10 PM - 3:20 PM (10 mins)
Human-Centered Security: Embedding Client Experience into Cyber Resilience
3:20 PM - 3:40 PM (20 mins)
Cybersecurity is not just a technical issue—it’s a human one. To build true resilience, governments must design security practices that work with people, not against them. This session explores how behavioral insights, client experience research, and human-centered design can strengthen cyber resilience by making secure practices intuitive, accessible, and trustworthy.
This session will help you apply new approaches on how you can align cybersecurity with citizen expectations while empowering employees to adopt secure behaviors with confidence.
- Embed client experience principles into cybersecurity strategies
- Use behavioral insights and research to reduce risk and build trust
- Design secure systems that are easy to navigate for citizens and employees
- Balance protection with accessibility to strengthen resilience at scale
Partner Perspective
3:40 PM - 4:00 PM (20 mins)
Building Resilience: Strategies for Combating Emerging Cyber Threats in the Public Sector
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM (30 mins)
- What are the most pressing emerging cyber threats currently facing the public sector?
- How can public sector organizations proactively strengthen their cybersecurity posture?
- What role does cross-agency collaboration play in building resilience against cyber threats?
Closing Remarks
4:30 PM - 4:40 PM (10 mins)
Networking Drinks Reception
4:40 PM - 5:40 PM (60 mins)