Last updated: October 1, 2026
Privacy Matters on Demand
Privacy Matters @ UBC Symposium & Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Valuable privacy and information security insights through informative sessions, interactive workshops, and panel discussions.
2026
Agentic Coding Tools in Higher Education:Solving Problems or Creating More Headaches
Agentic AI coding tools are rapidly becoming embedded in everyday practice in higher education. This session asks the question the adoption conversation often skips: are we solving problems or quietly creating new ones?
2025
From Standards to Safeguards: Collaborative Risk Management at UBC
How do privacy, cybersecurity, and enterprise architecture actually work together behind the scenes at UBC?
Research Diversity at UBC
Dr. Gail Murphy explores how UBC’s dynamic and diverse research environment presents unique cybersecurity needs.
Checked Baggage, Unchecked Risks (A Travel Security Play in One Act)
In this playful and thought-provoking skit, we follow a fictional UBC employee preparing for, navigating, and returning from an international trip.
Medicine Meets Security: Governance in High-Stakes Academic Units
What does strong cybersecurity governance look like within a large and distributed faculty? The Faculty of Medicine has made impressive strides in building a cybersecurity governance model that is practical, collaborative, and scalable.
Data Governance in the Age of AI
How do data governance, cybersecurity, and privacy intersect, and what happens when AI disrupts all three?
It’s Not Them, It’s Us: Rethinking Cybersecurity Communication
In this session, a cybersecurity expert and an instructional designer team up to offer real-world tips to improve your messaging.
Quantum Computing: The Future Battleground for Data Privacy and Cybersecurity
Quantum computing is not just theoretical anymore, it’s quickly becoming the next major disruptor in cybersecurity and data protection. This session bridges complex technical concepts with real-world implications, offering both a wake-up call and a strategic path
forward.
Governance and Records Management: Foundations for Cybersecurity Success at UBC
Strong governance and records management are essential to cybersecurity at UBC. This session considers how policy, legal frameworks, and operational practices work together to protect data and support compliance across the university.
From Compliance to Confidence: Stories of Security Progress Across UBC
Discover how UBC’s Compliance Support Program (CSP) helps high-risk units strengthen their security posture. Through real stories and data-driven insights, this session explores key lessons, risk assessment methods, and strategies for building a stronger security culture.
Digital Exposure: What They Know, How They Know It, and Why It Matters
How much of your identity can be uncovered from small bits of data? This interactive session dives into the “mosaic effect”—how metadata, tracking, and privacy loopholes combine to reveal more than you think. Join us for trivia, polls, and practical tips to protect your digital footprint.
Securing the Future: Cyber Threats on the Horizon
Cyber threats are evolving fast. Mastercard’s Igor Opushnyev and Kostia Nikolaiev share an inside look at today’s most urgent global risks—from AI-powered breaches to nation-state attacks—and how UBC can stay ahead.
2024
Effective Encryption in the Cloud - It's Complicated
Through a hands-on threat modelling exercise, discover the limitations of basic encryption and gain insights into advanced protection methods.
Supply Chain Attacks: What are they? Why are they Dangerous?
This session delves into the vulnerabilities, risks, and mitigation strategies essential for safeguarding your software ecosystem.
A Look into AI/Machine Learning through the Cybersecurity Lens
Learn how AI is used to both protect and attack systems. Demystify AI models and understand their potential threats and defences.
Understanding UBC’s Updated PIA Guidelines for AI Tools
Learn how to navigate the complexities of AI integration while upholding data privacy and security standards.
UBC's BIG-IP Web Application Firewall: What it can do for your web app
Shield your UBC website with BIG-IP. Discover how this powerful tool protects against cyber threats and ensures a seamless user experience.
Security Threat Risk Assessments at UBC
An introduction to the evolving Security Threat Risk Assessment (STRA) service at UBC.
Welcome to the 7th Annual Symposium
Dr. Gage Averill, Jennifer Burns, and Don Thompson welcome the UBC community to the 7th annual Privacy Matters @ UBC Symposium
Building a Phishing-Resilient Culture: Practical Techniques for Employees
An extended version of our monthly phishing workshops. Learn practical methods through interactive role-playing and real-world case studies.
UBC's Information Security Standards: A Primer
Understand how these vital guidelines are structured, developed, and implemented to safeguard our digital assets.
Risk 101: Reducing Privacy and Information Security Risk at UBC
Discover the importance of risk management in your role. Gain a comprehensive understanding of ISS U1 and its relevance to your work at UBC.
Information Security Compliance Support - Progress, Lessons and Future
Learn about the Compliance Support Program's successes, challenges, and future plans. We'll share actionable steps to strengthen your controls, clarify responsibilities, and identify vulnerabilities.
Cybersecurity is for Everybody: Creating Accessible Messaging
Discover practical tips for explaining complex cybersecurity to non-technical audiences.
A Town Hall Q&A with Privacy & Information Security Leaders
Moderated Q&A and panel discussion. Open dialogue and knowledge sharing between PrISM and the UBC community.
2023
Where Did My Files Go?
Learn how to use OneDrive, Teams, and SharePoint effectively. Get tips on organization, permissions, and long-term storage.
ChatGPT and other GenAI tools
This session covers the basics of generative AI tools, including how to use them safely and protect your privacy.
Balancing Act - FOI
This session reviews FIPPA principles and their application within the university context, and how to manage Freedom of Information (FOI) requests effectively.
We Asked AI Why...
Explore data leaks, user exposure, and how realistic AI content fuels phishing attacks. Learn to be a safe AI user in this session!
Data Privacy Week
Each year during the last week of January, Privacy Matters @ UBC joins Canada and many countries around the world to celebrate Data Privacy Week. The intention of Data Privacy Week @ UBC is to help spread awareness about the impact technology has on our privacy rights, and to underline the importance of valuing and protecting personal information.
2026
Opening Remarks
We opened Data Privacy Week with a special session featuring opening remarks from BC Information and Privacy Commissioner Michael Harvey, who explored emerging threats to personal information in the age of AI and highlighted how a rights-first approach can help build trust in both innovation and institutions.
What's New in Privacy (2026)?
Gain an inside look at UBC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen privacy practices and foster alignment across the institution, by viewing the presentation slides created by the PrISM SRS team.
Demystifying Freedom of Information (FOI) Requests
Discover how B.C.’s FIPPA shapes your day-to-day work. Learn what counts as a record, what’s considered personal information, and what you’re responsible for.
AI Privacy & Information Security: Same Game, Faster & Smarter Players
This session explores the key privacy and cybersecurity risks that AI amplifies and how these challenges are rooted in long-standing privacy challenges.
2025
Enhancing Privacy Compliance Awareness Among Researchers
Join members of ARC, PrISM SRS, and the Office of Research Ethics as they share practical tips and strategies to help you conduct research with integrity and compliance.
What Does "Public Data" Really Mean?
Join us for a thought-provoking exploration of data privacy and AI. In this session, we delve into the ethical and legal implications of data scraping and its impact on research and AI development.
What’s New in Privacy at UBC? (2025)
University Counsel and the PrISM SRS team unveil the latest advancements in UBC's privacy landscape.
2024
What’s New in Privacy at UBC?
The PrISM team provides an overview of new and emerging trends (and threats!) in privacy and information security; and review ongoing initiatives.
How Privacy Shapes Research: Ethics, Trust, and Innovation
Join experts to discuss critical data ethics and privacy issues in research. Learn about ethical data collection, secure storage, risk assessment, data anonymization, responsible sharing, and long-term privacy implications.
We Asked AI Why We Should Be Worried About Our Privacy When Using AI; It’s Response Was Alarming
AI tools like ChatGPT are powerful, but they raise privacy concerns. Join experts to discuss these issues, including regulatory challenges, algorithmic bias, data privacy, and more.
Balancing Act: Freedom of Information, Privacy, and Accountability
FOI laws balance transparency with privacy. Learn about UBC's FOI policies, your rights, and how to protect your privacy.
Special Events
Intro to SSH Proxy Cybersecurity Service
A webinar covering why the UBC Cybersecurity team is rolling out the SSH Proxy service, who's eligible to use it, and the key use cases it supports. We walk through a live demo of the service in action, followed by guidance on where to find documentation, support, and further help.
AI Defence Readiness
Join us for a 30-minute session with UBC’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to explore the implications of Claude Mythos, the risks this type of technology poses, how we are building AI defence readiness here at UBC, and the actions you can take now to prepare.
Navigating the Future of Your Digital Identity (Password Workshop)
We review how to use password managers and how passkeys and biometrics are changing online security. Walk away with simple, practical steps to protect your digital identity.
Automating with Tines
Join the UBC Cybersecurity team for an interactive workshop exploring how automation can improve your team’s efficiency, visibility, and compliance — all through Tines.
Privacy Matters Champions Network Town Hall
Celebrate the Network's first year of success and learn how you can become a Champion. Whether you're a seasoned cybersecurity expert or just starting your journey, the Privacy Matters Champions Network has something to offer.
Your Guide to the Latest Information Security Standards Revisions
This session provides a concise, high-level overview of the revisions and outlines clear, actionable steps to help you stay compliant.
Understanding UBC's Revised Encryption Requirements
Encryption is fundamental to protecting sensitive information at UBC. This session takes a deep dive into the revised encryption requirements and introduces the Storage Encryption Risk and Classification Model.
Understanding UBC's Email Forwarding Rules and Responsibilities
UBC's email forwarding policies have been updated. This session provides clear guidance on where forwarding is prohibited, revised circumstances for acceptable forwarding, and how to leverage the new UBC Email Auto-forwarding Agreement to request approval for unique circumstances.