With over 30 years of experience in the cybersecurity sector, NOVIPRO has continuously prioritized protecting IT infrastructures. CyberEX Underground serves as a critical platform for industry leaders to explore the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, exchange insights, and discuss key concerns that shape organizational decision-making today.
Historically, cybersecurity was often not a primary focus for many organizations. However, the growing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks have driven this field to the forefront of business priorities. According to NOVIPRO’s IT Trends report, 74% of companies are preparing to make significant investments in cybersecurity.
Download the IT Trends report for additional insights.
Despite this, only 43% of organizations consult their IT departments when establishing their overall strategy. This raises a significant question: How can businesses allocate resources to cybersecurity effectively if internal IT experts are not involved in the decision-making process?
CyberEX Underground: An Educational and Strategic Event
CyberEX Underground differentiates itself by offering an educational approach designed to provide actionable insights and foster strategic discussions. The objective of the event is to underscore the importance of a robust cybersecurity framework and to develop sustainable protection strategies against cyber threats. The fifth edition adhered to these objectives, providing a comprehensive day filled with key learning moments.
Event Agenda:
- Podcast Recording: In a session moderated by Bruno Guglielminetti, decision-makers discussed their cybersecurity experiences anonymously, offering unfiltered perspectives
- Cybersecurity Panel: Clients discussed internal challenges related to cybersecurity and highlighted the benefits of managed cybersecurity services provided by external IT firms
- MSSP Unveiling: The exclusive introduction of Blair’s Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) solution showcased its unique capabilities
- Partner Presentations: Key partners had the opportunity to present their solutions and services, each within a 10-minute time frame
- Keynote Address: Renowned speaker Stéphane Hamel explored the artificial intelligence (AI) through different perspectives, including legal concepts and privacy protection
- Roundtable Workshop: This session allowed for targeted discussions around key client concerns in a focused, intimate setting
- Anniversary Celebration: The event concluded with a cocktail reception to commemorate five years of CyberEX Underground
Key Learnings from the Event
CyberEX Underground offers an opportunity to remain closely aligned with clients’ needs, gather feedback, and provide strategic recommendations.
The anonymous podcast session was particularly valuable, as participants were able to engage in open discussions on critical topics. One participant remarked, “It was reassuring to know that the challenges I face are not unique, and others share similar concerns.”
The MSSP panel provided significant value, with clients offering candid feedback. While some participants had established mature cybersecurity strategies supported by dedicated teams and resources, others, particularly smaller organizations, faced several challenges:
- Lack of specialized personnel in critical areas of cybersecurity
- Insufficient staffing for 24/7 security monitoring
- Budget constraints limiting their ability to maintain a resilient security posture
These testimonials validated the strategic alignment of the newly launched MSSP service, reinforcing findings from the IT Trends report.
However, despite increased awareness, certain statistics remain concerning:
- 30% of organizations are unaware of Quebec’s Law 25
- 28% have not yet provided cybersecurity training to employees
- Only 57% of organizations have a business continuity plan in place
During the presentation of the MSSP solution, we outlined its components and how it effectively supports businesses in addressing these challenges.
Learn more about MSSP on our dedicated page
Keynote Address: Insights into Bill C-27 and AI
The keynote address by Stéphane Hamel offered a comprehensive analysis of Bill C-27, particularly its impact on artificial intelligence and data privacy. Stéphane Hamel, an expert in data ethics and analytics, highlighted the importance of maintaining human oversight in AI systems, warning that “the greatest threat posed by AI lies in automation without supervision,” which can lead to serious data security risks. Stéphane Hamel also provided actionable strategies for organizations to anticipate and mitigate these emerging challenges.
Partner Contributions
Several partners presented their solutions during the event, covering a wide range of cybersecurity challenges:
- Arctic Wolf: Emphasized the importance of vendor-neutral security operations.
- Data Sentinel: Focused on managing sensitive data within the context of evolving privacy regulations.
- Semperis: Provided insights into securing and restoring Active Directory post-cyberattack.
- Splunk: Highlighted the role of compliance, data analysis, and automation in business decision-making.
Preparing for the Sixth Edition
The positive feedback from this edition has already sparked anticipation for the sixth installment of CyberEX Underground. Key metrics from this year’s event include:
- 4.6/5: Average participant rating for the event
- 42.86% of participants identified areas for internal improvement
- 85.71% plan to attend the next edition
- 90.53% felt that the event met their expectations
CyberEX Underground is designed with a clear focus on addressing the challenges faced by today’s organizations. We invite participants to share their key areas of interest and the topics they would like to see covered in future editions.
For inquiries or suggestions regarding next year’s event, please contact us at communication@novipro.com | Subject: CyberEX Underground 6th Edition.
We extend our sincere thanks to all the attendees and to our trusted partners—Arctic Wolf, Data Sentinel, Splunk, Semperis, and Fortinet—who contributed to the success of this event.
