In this episode of CCN Conversations, host Francois Guay speaks with Jason McKeen, Founder of BlackSwan Cyber Group.

Jason shares a deeply personal and powerful story of resilience, from overcoming a difficult upbringing to building a career in cybersecurity and launching his own company.

The conversation explores the realities of non-linear career paths, the importance of persistence, and the role community and mentorship play in long-term success.

Jason also shares practical advice for those entering the field, emphasizing the importance of understanding your strengths, building meaningful connections, and putting in consistent effort to grow.

A key theme throughout the discussion is the value of getting outside your comfort zone and embracing challenges as part of the journey.

This episode is a reminder that success in cybersecurity is not defined by a perfect path, but by the willingness to keep going, keep learning, and help others along the way.

Listen now and join the conversation.

In this episode of CCN Conversations, host Francois Guay speaks with Pamela Draper, President of Digital Commerce Payments, and Paul Twigg, Chief Technology Officer at Digital Commerce Group.

Together, they explore the evolving role of payments, digital banking, and trust in today’s financial ecosystem.

The conversation highlights how money movement has shifted from traditional methods to real-time, digital-first systems, creating new expectations around speed, convenience, and security.

Pamela and Paul share insights into how trust is built in financial systems, where even a single failure can have significant consequences.

They also discuss the growing complexity of fraud, the role of AI in detecting patterns and anomalies, and why organizations must move beyond rule-based systems toward more adaptive, intelligence-driven approaches.

The episode explores how cybersecurity is no longer just protection, but a requirement to participate in modern financial systems.

This is a powerful conversation for anyone interested in payments, financial infrastructure, and the future of digital trust.

Listen now and join the conversation.

In this episode of CCN Conversations, host François Guay speaks with Junior Williams about his unconventional journey into cybersecurity and the lessons learned along the way.

From early exposure to operational technology and programming, to roles in IT, digital forensics, sales, and cybersecurity leadership, Junior’s path reflects a reality many professionals experience but rarely talk about.

This conversation explores the value of non-linear careers, continuous learning, and the importance of building strong professional networks.

Junior also shares his perspective on AI in the enterprise, highlighting how it expands the attack surface and introduces new types of insider risk, often driven by well-intentioned employees trying to move faster.

The discussion dives into what effective cybersecurity awareness should look like, why traditional training often fails, and how personalization and real-world scenarios can drive better outcomes.

Finally, Junior breaks down his “employability framework,” explaining why network, communication skills, and continuous learning matter more than traditional credentials.

This episode is a powerful reminder that success in cybersecurity is not about following a perfect path, but about staying curious, adaptable, and connected.

Listen now and join the conversation.

Cybersecurity is often driven by urgency and fear. But is that the right approach?

In this episode of CCN Conversations, François Guay speaks with Michelle Balderson about her journey through the industry and the perspectives she has gained along the way.

Drawing from years of experience across teams, roles, and leadership environments, Michelle shares why cybersecurity needs to move beyond fear-based messaging and toward a clearer understanding of risk and leadership responsibility.

The conversation explores how different teams shape your thinking, how leadership influences outcomes, and why communication and alignment are critical in cybersecurity.

This is a grounded, experience-driven look at how the industry is evolving and where it needs to go next.

Listen now and join the conversation.

In this episode of CCN Conversations, host Francois Guay speaks with Bruno Couillard, CEO and Co-Founder of Crypto4A Technologies.

Bruno shares the origin story behind Crypto4A and the mission to prepare the digital world for a quantum future. Drawing from decades of experience in cryptography and secure systems, he explains why the shift to quantum safe security is not a distant concern, but a present-day challenge.

The conversation explores how today’s digital economy is built on cryptographic trust, from financial transactions to critical infrastructure. As quantum computing advances, that foundation is at risk, requiring organizations to rethink how they secure data, systems, and communications.

Bruno introduces the concept of crypto agility and explains why flexibility, adaptability, and long-term thinking are essential to staying secure in an evolving threat landscape.

They also discuss the scale of the transition ahead, the difficulty of replacing legacy cryptographic systems, and why timelines set by global agencies should be taken seriously.

This episode offers a powerful perspective on the future of cybersecurity, trust, and the responsibility organizations have to prepare for what comes next.

Listen now and join the conversation.

In this episode of CCN Conversations, host Francois Guay speaks with Sophia Kudlyk about her journey into cybersecurity and what it really takes to break into the industry today.

Sophia shares her non-traditional path into cyber, highlighting the challenges, doubts, and turning points that shaped her career. Her story reflects a reality many aspiring professionals face: there is no single “right” way into cybersecurity.

The conversation explores the gap between how cybersecurity careers are often presented and what they actually look like in practice. Sophia emphasizes the importance of curiosity, persistence, and learning through experience rather than waiting to feel “ready.”

They also discuss the role of community, mentorship, and visibility in helping people navigate the industry, especially those coming from non-technical or unconventional backgrounds.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to break into cybersecurity, pivot their career, or better understand how real entry points into the industry actually work.

Listen now and join the conversation.

In this episode of CCN Conversations, host Francois Guay speaks with David Masson of Darktrace.

With decades of experience spanning from early computer network exploitation to today’s AI driven security landscape, David brings a rare long term perspective on how cybersecurity has actually evolved.

The conversation explores how cyber threats have shifted from supporting operations to becoming the primary attack vector, and why many organizations are still struggling to keep up.

A key theme throughout the episode is the industry’s reliance on reactive security. David challenges the idea that solutions should come after damage, and highlights the need to move toward real time detection and response.

They also dive into how AI is truly being used in cybersecurity today. Not just large language models, but a broader set of technologies that detect change, identify threats, and support human decision making at scale.

The discussion also covers the growing risks around critical infrastructure and operational technology, where increasing connectivity is introducing new vulnerabilities across essential systems.

Finally, David shares his perspective on talent in cybersecurity, emphasizing that technical skills alone are not enough. Curiosity, communication, and problem solving are just as critical for success.

This episode is a strong reminder that cybersecurity is not new, but the way we approach it still needs to evolve.

Listen now and join the conversation.

In this episode of CCN Conversations, host Francois Guay speaks with Jayson Myers, CEO of Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen).

Jayson shares insights from his experience leading one of Canada’s most important innovation organizations, focused on advancing manufacturing capabilities across the country.

The conversation explores Canada’s position in advanced manufacturing, highlighting a critical gap between innovation and adoption. While Canada produces world class technologies and research, many organizations struggle to fully implement and operationalize them.

They also discuss the role of cybersecurity in modern manufacturing environments, where digital systems, AI, and interconnected supply chains introduce new risks. Jayson emphasizes that cybersecurity is not just a technical issue, but a strategic business priority built on trust.

The discussion also covers workforce readiness, the importance of collaboration across ecosystems, and why organizations must align technology investments with business objectives to remain competitive globally.

This episode is essential listening for leaders, innovators, and organizations navigating the intersection of cybersecurity, manufacturing, and digital transformation.

Listen now and join the conversation.

In this episode of CCN Conversations, host Francois Guay sits down with Tracey Nyholt, founder and CEO of TechJutsu.

Tracey shares her unconventional path into cybersecurity, beginning with an English literature degree and working her way into the industry by teaching herself technical skills and learning through hands on experience.

The conversation explores the founding of TechJutsu, a Calgary based cybersecurity company focused on identity and access management and solving one of the most overlooked attack vectors in organizations today: help desk authentication. Tracey explains how attackers exploit call centers to reset passwords and bypass security controls, and how her team developed technology to protect against those attacks.

Francois and Tracey also discuss the realities of building a cybersecurity company, including scaling into international markets, navigating emerging technologies like AI and quantum, and the importance of listening to customers when developing security products.

The episode also highlights career development in cybersecurity, the importance of communication skills, and lessons for aspiring founders entering the industry.

Listen now and join the conversation.

In this episode of CCN Conversations, host Francois Guay speaks with Julien Richard, Vice President of Information Security at Lastwall.

Julien shares his journey into cybersecurity more than two decades ago, long before the field was widely recognized. From early work in FinTech and network administration to leadership in security, his career highlights the role curiosity and persistence play in building expertise.

The conversation explores the importance of mentorship, community building, and why curiosity and a thirst for knowledge are often more valuable than technical skills alone. Julien also discusses his work helping build cybersecurity communities in Atlantic Canada and his involvement in initiatives that bring policymakers and practitioners together to better inform cybersecurity policy.

Francois and Julien also dive into career development in cybersecurity, including how authenticity, curiosity, and preparation can help professionals stand out in a competitive job market.

This episode offers practical advice for anyone entering the cybersecurity field, along with insight into how community and policy influence the future of the industry.

Listen now and join the conversation