BSides Edmonton 2019 is SOLD OUT!

Keynote Speakers

Kiran Chatha 

Kiran Chatha has a decade of experience in Coaching, Counselling and Forum Facilitation across career development and intrapersonal contexts. Having honed her foundational skills during a long-standing tenure at the Ministry of Public Safety in British Columbia where she worked as a Probation Officer, Kiran furthered her depth of expertise through studies in Positive Psychology and is a Certified Life Coach. Kiran currently runs her own Coaching practice working with new leaders looking to improve on their leadership styles.

Wendy Gnenz

Wendy Gnenz is the Chief Information Officer of the City of Edmonton — a modern municipal corporation that provides services to almost one million residents. In her role, Wendy provides corporate leadership for digital enablement and innovation, data and analytics, technology planning, and all aspects of technology infrastructure operations.

Over the past year, Wendy has led the transformation of data and technology at the City of Edmonton through the development of a comprehensive Business Technology Strategy, which reimagines how partnerships and usable information can provide innovative, integrated services to citizens. In the workplace, Wendy has fostered a culture of collaboration through the motto “Think Yes,” which encourages staff to always approach issues/problems with a can-do attitude

Michael Alguire

Mike is an IT Security professional who loves making complex technologies relatable to the "non-nerd" community.  Mike has a 20-year background in IT Security Audit, IT Architecture, and Governance. He is also a certified ethical hacker who enjoys a hands-on approach to learning and following new developments in encryption and the emerging field of digital assets

Joshua Reynolds

Joshua Reynolds is a Senior Security Researcher with CrowdStrike, where he performs malware reverse engineering and intelligence analysis. Joshua has presented at DEF CON, BSidesLV, BSides Calgary, BSides Edmonton and RSAC focusing on ransomware, malicious document analysis, and cryptojacking malware. He is also the co-author of the SAIT Polytechnic Information Systems Security diploma malware analysis course.

Jason Maynard

Jason has been architecting, designing, and deploying security technologies that secure the most complex computing environments for almost 2 decades. His understanding of technologies, people, and process enable him to deliver effective, comprehensive security solutions that align to an organizations security goals and strategic imperatives. Jason is adept at addressing a range of risk profiles across industry verticals; skills he has cultivated as an end-user security practitioner, partner/integrator, and now manufacturer as Senior Consulting Systems Engineer, Cybersecurity for Cisco Systems. Jason has developed common and best practice guides and has delivered training sessions globally. 

Helen Knight

As Director of IT for the largest housing-focused emergency shelter in North America, Helen is transforming the lives of the most vulnerable people in our community and the people who support and serve them. From leading a complete digital transformation of the Calgary Drop-In Centre’s Client Relationship Management, Human Resources and Finance systems, to the introduction of self-serve client kiosks, Helen is revolutionizing the rapid delivery of meaningful services to those in need. 

Lance Knittig

Lance Knittig is a consulting engineer with Palo Alto Networks, providing security operations expertise throughout North America. His background includes incident response, forensics, security architecture and program management while building teams for both the largest enterprises and the fastest startups.

Brian Stewart

Brian Stewart is the Deputy CIO at the University of Alberta, Canada. His role is to provide strategic leadership, vision, and direction for information services and technology and to direct business transformation through technological innovation, while also leading initiatives for continuous operational and service improvement. Brian’s background is in strategic, operational and technology management in the printing and higher education sectors. He has a passionate commitment to information sharing and collaborative action to improve the use, economy, and security of ICT in higher education. 

Jarret Dyrbye

Jarret is a self-employed software developer who has been exploring deep into Bitcoin. He has co-developed Forkdrop.io and Sparkshot.io as well as co-founding the Edmonton Bitcoin Association. His interest is identifying and tackling the new set of challenges in adapting cryptocurrency technology for use in society.

Ken Westin

Ken Westin is currently Director of ITOA and Security Solutions at Elastic, helping organizations aggregate, analyze and operationalize disparate security data sources to identify and mitigate threats in various forms. In his past he has helped solve crimes with data, tracking stolen devices, breaking up organized crime groups, recovered stolen vehicles, even solved a violent carjacking, leading to the prosecution of dozens of criminals. He has presented at DEF CON, Black Hat, RSA, multiple BSides and security conferences around the world.

Nicole Schwartz

Nicole Schwartz (@CircuitSwan) is a Product Manager for the GitLab Secure team. In her career, she has been in Product, System Administration, and Agile coaching. Before her career ever started she was a Hacker, and forever will be. When she isn't working she attends conventions (you may have known her as @AmazonV) and volunteers at SkyTalks and Diana Initiative.

Burns MacDonald

Burns has more than 30 years of experience in IT and security working with government and industry clients. Projects have included IT security, policy and planning, risk and threat policy analysis, command and control, technical assessment and evaluation, knowledge interfaces, and business performance considerations. He is a trusted strategic security advisor known for developing viable strategies that optimize operational benefits while maintaining acceptable risk management in high-threat situations.

Dhruv Majumdar

A seasoned Threat Researcher and Cyber Threat Intelligence professional, Dhruv Majumdar is ElevatedPrompt Threat Hunting division technical lead. Dhruv’s previous experience as an enterprise SIEM architect, strategic adviser, and ICS network and core infrastructure monitoring team lead continues to pay dividends through his guidance of our MDR Threat Hunting Team.

Harpreet Kohli

Harpreet Kohli works with ATCO group in the role of Manager Cybersecurity. She is leading the development and improvement of the cybersecurity program including risk management and governance. Harpreet has extensive experience in building positive and impactful security programs in the IT and OT ecosystems.

Harpreet holds a Masters degree in Electronics Engineering from India and a Master of Information Systems Security Management from Concordia University Canada. To share her knowledge and experience with budding security professionals, she teaches the Master of Information Systems Security Program at Concordia University.

Suzie Smibert

Breaking the mold of the typical CISO, Suzie Smibert is making a mark in the global Information Security community as a leading, innovative, and benchmark-setting Information Security C-Level Executive. She mastered the art of translating complex IT challenges into relevant business\ discussions, transformed companies culture into security champions and she continues to inspire the information security community to embrace a risk approach instead of fear tactics. She has the unique ability to not only define a vision and strategy for a company but also lead the organization through the change and
transformation required to achieve it. 

Derran Guinan

Derran Guinan is an IT Security Specialist who works with clients across Western Canada educating and advising on various security solutions. With twenty-five years in the IT industry managing networks, architecting solutions, and advising clients, Derran believes in a collaborative, customer-oriented approach to educating and helping clients solve security-related situations/challenges. Derran has worked at some of the most trusted security companies in the world such as Palo Alto Networks and Crowdstrike, where he advises clients on a daily basis on both security incidents and proactive security solutions. Derran started his career at NAIT in the Telecommunications Engineering program and has continued his education through SANS, ISC2, and ISACA training and certifications.

Michael Barr

Michael is an engaging senior IT leader who uses the power of curiosity, story, and a little humor, to propose a change, share the vision, and build trust with colleagues and staff. Michael’s career has been varied in terms of industries and functions over 25 years which gives him a unique perspective on the potential of people to address the needs of their community whether it’s a junior ski team or a multi-national corporation. Building on relationships founded on trust, Michael has developed a sense of humility and service which forms the foundation of who he is, and how he has evolved as a senior leader over the past 13 years.

Prashant

Prashant has been in the Canadian IT sector for 12 years and has progressively worked in IT Security field during these times. He has Bachelors and Masters in IT from India and 2 years of research experience in Quantum Computing. He has held IT Security and Risk Management positions in Government, Retail, Construction, Energy, Healthcare and Oil, and Gas sector during these years. He is an avid reader, researcher, enthusiast and public speaker. He is a member of Edmonton YegSec and B-Sides Security Communities. He is currently serving as Senior Security Architect with Enbridge Inc. in Edmonton.

Derran Guinan

Derran Guinan is an IT Security Specialist who works with clients across Western Canada educating and advising on various security solutions. With twenty-five years in the IT industry managing networks, architecting solutions, and advising clients, Derran believes in a collaborative, customer-oriented approach to educating and helping clients solve security-related situations/challenges. Derran has worked at some of the most trusted security companies in the world such as Palo Alto Networks and Crowdstrike, where he advises clients on a daily basis on both security incidents and proactive security solutions. Derran started his career at NAIT in the Telecommunications Engineering program and has continued his education through SANS, ISC2, and ISACA training and certifications.

Michael Barr

Michael is an engaging senior IT leader who uses the power of curiosity, story, and a little humor, to propose a change, share the vision, and build trust with colleagues and staff. Michael’s career has been varied in terms of industries and functions over 25 years which gives him a unique perspective on the potential of people to address the needs of their community whether it’s a junior ski team or a multi-national corporation. Building on relationships founded on trust, Michael has developed a sense of humility and service which forms the foundation of who he is, and how he has evolved as a senior leader over the past 13 years.

Prashant

Prashant has been in the Canadian IT sector for 12 years and has progressively worked in IT Security field during these times. He has Bachelors and Masters in IT from India and 2 years of research experience in Quantum Computing. He has held IT Security and Risk Management positions in Government, Retail, Construction, Energy, Healthcare and Oil, and Gas sector during these years. He is an avid reader, researcher, enthusiast and public speaker. He is a member of Edmonton YegSec and B-Sides Security Communities. He is currently serving as Senior Security Architect with Enbridge Inc. in Edmonton.

Derran Guinan

Derran Guinan is an IT Security Specialist who works with clients across Western Canada educating and advising on various security solutions. With twenty-five years in the IT industry managing networks, architecting solutions, and advising clients, Derran believes in a collaborative, customer-oriented approach to educating and helping clients solve security-related situations/challenges. Derran has worked at some of the most trusted security companies in the world such as Palo Alto Networks and Crowdstrike, where he advises clients on a daily basis on both security incidents and proactive security solutions. Derran started his career at NAIT in the Telecommunications Engineering program and has continued his education through SANS, ISC2, and ISACA training and certifications.

Michael Barr

Michael is an engaging senior IT leader who uses the power of curiosity, story, and a little humor, to propose a change, share the vision, and build trust with colleagues and staff. Michael’s career has been varied in terms of industries and functions over 25 years which gives him a unique perspective on the potential of people to address the needs of their community whether it’s a junior ski team or a multi-national corporation. Building on relationships founded on trust, Michael has developed a sense of humility and service which forms the foundation of who he is, and how he has evolved as a senior leader over the past 13 years.

Prashant

Prashant has been in the Canadian IT sector for 12 years and has progressively worked in IT Security field during these times. He has Bachelors and Masters in IT from India and 2 years of research experience in Quantum Computing. He has held IT Security and Risk Management positions in Government, Retail, Construction, Energy, Healthcare and Oil, and Gas sector during these years. He is an avid reader, researcher, enthusiast and public speaker. He is a member of Edmonton YegSec and B-Sides Security Communities. He is currently serving as Senior Security Architect with Enbridge Inc. in Edmonton.

Derran Guinan

Michael Barr

Prashant

Prashant has been in the Canadian IT sector for 12 years and has progressively worked in IT Security field during these times. He has Bachelors and Masters in IT from India and 2 years of research experience in Quantum Computing. He has held IT Security and Risk Management positions in Government, Retail, Construction, Energy, Healthcare and Oil, and Gas sector during these years. He is an avid reader, researcher, enthusiast and public speaker. He is a member of Edmonton YegSec and B-Sides Security Communities. He is currently serving as Senior Security Architect with Enbridge Inc. in Edmonton.

Derran Guinan

Derran Guinan is an IT Security Specialist who works with clients across Western Canada educating and advising on various security solutions. With twenty-five years in the IT industry managing networks, architecting solutions, and advising clients, Derran believes in a collaborative, customer-oriented approach to educating and helping clients solve security-related situations/challenges. Derran has worked at some of the most trusted security companies in the world such as Palo Alto Networks and Crowdstrike, where he advises clients on a daily basis on both security incidents and proactive security solutions. Derran started his career at NAIT in the Telecommunications Engineering program and has continued his education through SANS, ISC2, and ISACA training and certifications.

Michael Barr

Michael is an engaging senior IT leader who uses the power of curiosity, story, and a little humor, to propose a change, share the vision, and build trust with colleagues and staff. Michael’s career has been varied in terms of industries and functions over 25 years which gives him a unique perspective on the potential of people to address the needs of their community whether it’s a junior ski team or a multi-national corporation. Building on relationships founded on trust, Michael has developed a sense of humility and service which forms the foundation of who he is, and how he has evolved as a senior leader over the past 13 years.

Prashant

Prashant has been in the Canadian IT sector for 12 years and has progressively worked in IT Security field during these times. He has Bachelors and Masters in IT from India and 2 years of research experience in Quantum Computing. He has held IT Security and Risk Management positions in Government, Retail, Construction, Energy, Healthcare and Oil, and Gas sector during these years. He is an avid reader, researcher, enthusiast and public speaker. He is a member of Edmonton YegSec and B-Sides Security Communities. He is currently serving as Senior Security Architect with Enbridge Inc. in Edmonton.

The Venue

NAIT Productivity and Innovation Centre

10210 Princess Elizabeth Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5G 0Y2