Hey, Bay Area folks! Did you hear about Ray Boisvert, Ontario’s first security advisor? He’s got a vision to turn his office into a hub of expertise tackling the big picture issues that stretch beyond the standard threats we’re usually up against. Sounds impressive right? I had a chance to dig into his plans a bit more and thought I’d share what I found.
Boisvert was on the scene at a cyber risk conference in Toronto recently. Besides lending a helping hand pulling the conference together, he was spreading the word about his team’s plans for tackling hot topics. These included enhancing the resilience of critical infrastructure to better guard our economy and collective security. Heah, you heard right, he’s going all in to make sure we’re guarded against threats and ready for whatever comes our way.
Now, just in case the name doesn’t ring a bell, Boisvert is a former heavy hitter who was the assistant director of intelligence at Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). After he left the government, he decided to put his skills to work founding a consulting firm. Now, he’s rocking his role as an associate deputy minister in the ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. And man, this role and his vision for it is something else!
The cool part is that Boisvert’s office is its own thing – it’s not tied to Ontario’s corporate CIO or the head of cyber security, giving it a unique edge to work on its projects. They came in on the scene at the start of the year, and while they’re still finalizing their budget, eventually they’re planning to rope in around a dozen folks. Heck, they might even bring in some talent from the OPP and local police forces.
Boisvert spilled some of the secret sauce behind how they plan to operate. He’s not relying solely on inside info, they’re an “analytical shop”, plugging into the vast chewy data feast of open source information. They plan to sift and sort through all the data to help the government get a clear picture of the threats and strategize on how to handle them. In his words, he “didn’t do this for the money,” but because it’s sorely needed.
This is a big deal, my friends. It shows how even outside of the federal government, places like Ontario are recognizing the critical role they play in matters of security. This initiative is aimed at tackling threats where they happen – at the local level, where they can cause the most harm.
To my healthcare and cybersecurity folks out there, doesn’t this real-world, boots-on-the-ground approach resonate with you too? I mean, facing the threats close-up, forging partnerships at every level, and sticking a flag in the ground to claim our stake in the security battlefield – that’s what it’s all about. Talk about a refreshing change and a great challenge!
Honestly, you’ve got to tip your hat to folks like Boisvert. They could’ve sat back and enjoyed retirement or just coasted along in a cushy consulting gig. Instead, they dive right in to protect our cities, economies, and livelihoods. We definitely could use more of that kind of spirit right here in the Bay Area, don’t you think?
by Morgan Phisher | HEAL Security
