Every year during the month of October, the PrISM team hosts a month-long series of virtual and in-person events to celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month and the Privacy Matters @ UBC Symposium. These sessions are designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of online privacy and information security.
Join our virtual Cybersecurity Awareness Month events!
Throughout October, join us for a dynamic lineup of virtual sessions exploring the evolving cybersecurity landscape at UBC and beyond. From behind-the-scenes stories of digital progress on campus to global insights into cyber threats and data exposure, this year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month is packed with expert panels, interactive workshops, and real-world strategies. Hear directly from UBC leaders, cybersecurity professionals, and industry voices like Mastercard as we tackle big questions—and practical solutions—around governance, risk, resilience, and innovation.
Be sure to register for each session individually so you don’t miss out on these timely and thought-provoking conversations.
Governance and Records Management: Foundations for Cybersecurity Success at UBC
Presenters: Erika Brimacombe; Barbara Towell
Oct 1 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Strong governance and records management are essential to cybersecurity at UBC. This session will consider 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
Presenters: Thais Ramos & CSP Clients
Oct 7 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am
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
Presenter: Susan Johnson
Oct 15 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am
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
Presenters: Igor Opushnyev (Mastercard); Kostia Nikolaiev (Mastercard)
Oct 22 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am
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.
The Privacy & Information Security Management team invites you to the Privacy Matters @ UBC Symposium.
October 29, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Join us in person for UBC’s flagship privacy and cybersecurity event of the year! The Privacy Matters @ UBC Symposium brings together IT professionals, faculty, staff, and guest experts to explore today’s most pressing topics—from AI-powered threats to responsible governance, digital ethics, and smarter risk management. Whether you're a tech leader, researcher, or privacy champion, the Symposium offers fresh insights, networking opportunities, and inspiring ideas to help you protect what matters most.
Complimentary lunch and snacks will be provided to all in-person registrants, so come hungry for knowledge—and good food!
Don’t miss your chance to attend—check the schedule, and register early to secure your spot.
Doors open at 8:30 AM for light refreshments.
Itinerary Itinerary
9:00 AM – 9:10 AM
 | Welcome
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9:10 AM - 10:00 AM
 | What’s Next in Cybersecurity: Strategy, Research Security, and the Architecture That Supports ItPresenters: Salman Shahid; Maliheh Oliver; Scott BakerDescription: This session offers a dual lens: first, a forward-looking overview of UBC’s evolving cybersecurity strategy with a special focus on research security; second, an inside look at how tools, Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs), and enterprise architecture standards work together to reduce institutional risk. Through real case studies and architectural insights, attendees will walk away with a better understanding of what’s coming next in cybersecurity—and how UBC is building the systems to support it. |
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
 | Securing Research at Scale: Why Cybersecurity Must Evolve with InnovationPresenter: Dr. Gail MurphyDescription: Dr. Gail Murphy will explore how UBC’s dynamic and diverse research environment presents unique cybersecurity needs. She will highlight the importance of aligning institutional cybersecurity strategy with the pace of innovation, and how universities can support research excellence without compromising data integrity, confidentiality, or operational safety. |
10:40 AM - 11:00 AM
 | Privacy Matters Theatre Presents: Checked Baggage, Unchecked Risks (A Travel Security Play in One Act)Presenters: Trevor Carpenter; Zoe Armer; Mark MontgomeryDescription: In this playful and thought-provoking skit, we follow a fictional UBC employee preparing for, navigating, and returning from an international trip. Along the way, the traveler makes choices that invite commentary and corrections from a pair of on-screen privacy and cybersecurity experts. With moments of “what would you do?” prompts for the audience, this performance highlights common risks and practical tips to help UBC community members travel safely with data and devices. |
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
 | Medicine Meets Security: Governance in High-Stakes Academic UnitsPresenters: Grainne McElroy; Mawuena GlyminDescription: 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. In this session, learn how they’re building the structure, aligning leadership, and integrating data stewardship and IT planning into a shared governance approach that can be replicated across UBC. |
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM
 | Data Governance in the Age of AIPresenter: George FiricanDescription: How do data governance, cybersecurity, and privacy intersect, and what happens when AI disrupts all three? George Firican brings his expertise as a UBC data leader and founder of the Lights on Data podcast to illuminate the essential role of governance in mitigating cyber and privacy risk in a fast-evolving landscape. |
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
 | It’s Not Them, It’s Us: Rethinking Cybersecurity CommunicationPresenters: Scott Baker; Julie Le HegaratDescription: You work in a technical space and want to promote a better institutional culture around cybersecurity, but it can feel like your audience isn’t listening. Presentations are sparsely attended, messages fall flat, and assessing engagement is tricky. What if we are the problem? In this session, a cybersecurity expert and an instructional designer team up to offer real-world tips to improve your messaging. You’ll learn how to create effective, audience-centric communication using instructional design principles that foster genuine engagement. |
2:10 PM - 3:10 PM
 | Quantum Computing: The Future Battleground for Data Privacy and CybersecurityPresenter: Tim SzigetiDescription: Quantum computing is not just theoretical anymore, it’s quickly becoming the next major disruptor in cybersecurity and data protection. In this forward-looking keynote, Cisco’s Tim Szigeti will explore how quantum computing threatens current encryption standards, the rapid pace of quantum research, and what organizations like UBC must do to future-proof their cybersecurity architecture. This session will bridge complex technical concepts with real-world implications, offering both a wake-up call and a strategic path forward. |
3:10 PM - 3:20 PM
 | Champions Award CeremonyPresenter: Trevor CarpenterDescription: Faculty and staff who’ve gone above and beyond to promote cybersecurity and privacy in their units. These Champions have helped distribute monthly messaging, and championed secure practices in their day-to-day work. We’ll also announce the grand prize winner for 2025 ($500). |
3:20 PM - 3:30 PM
 | Recap & Thank YouDescription: To close the Privacy Matters @ UBC Symposium, we'll reflect on the insights shared throughout the day, and offer a challenge to attendees: to take what you’ve learned today and help strengthen the university’s collective defenses. As threats evolve, so must we, by staying informed, supporting one another, and turning awareness into daily practice. |