Episode 33 — The Cavalry is Us: How Cyber Leaders are Rewriting the Future

Recorded live at BSides Ottawa 2025, this episode brings together leaders from across Canada’s cybersecurity, policy, and critical infrastructure communities to explore a message that resonated throughout the conference:
The cavalry isn’t coming. The cavalry is us.

Host Amy Yee speaks with keynote speakers, policy advocates, engineers, researchers, and organizers who are helping shape Canada’s digital resilience. Through candid conversations, they unpack:

• Why Canada struggles with cohesion in cyber defence

• How policy and legislation shape national readiness

• The real fragility of critical infrastructure

• The widening gap between retiring experts and new talent

• The power of grassroots communities like BSides

• Why cyber practitioners must help inform public policy

• How trust, mentorship, and collaboration strengthen resilience

Whether you work in cybersecurity, public policy, critical infrastructure, defence, or digital leadership, this episode offers grounded insight into what it takes to build a stronger and more resilient Canada.

Featuring (In order of appearance):

• George Al-Koura, CD — CISO @ ruby | Principal Advisor @ Ceiba Law | Co-Host @ BKBT Podcast | Canadian CISO of the Year (2025)

• David Shipley — CEO & Field CISO, Beauceron Security

• James Troutman — Co-Founder & Director, NNENIX IXP | Chief of Staff, Skytalks

• Cheryl Biswas — Cybersecurity Analyst & Researcher | Speaker | Mentor

• Katie Noble — Organizer, Hackers on the Hill (Washington, DC)

• Julien Richard — Canadian organizer, Policy Village & Hackers on the Hill