Digital identity has become foundational to modern infrastructure, expanding from government-issued credentials to a dynamic, contested layer spanning healthcare, finance, social platforms, and AI systems that infer identity in real time. This panel explores how authentication, authorization, and trust are operationalized across fragmented ecosystems, where public and private incentives often diverge. As Canada develops digital ID and trust frameworks, the panel asks: what technical, policy, and socio-legal research is needed to ensure identity systems are secure, equitable, and resilient by design?

As artificial intelligence becomes embedded in critical infrastructure, defence, and public services, securing AI systems demands both human capability and thoughtful national research priorities. This panel explores two key aspects: first, whether current cybersecurity training (rooted in traditional software practices) is sufficient for adversarial AI; second, whether Canada is treating AI security research as a national priority. Panelists will examine evolving threats, skill gaps, and the investments needed to ensure Canada can develop, test, and defend AI systems that underpin its future resilience.

As Canada modernizes its cyber and public safety capabilities, tensions between surveillance powers and democratic rights are becoming more urgent. This panel examines how advanced technologies (e.g. AI-enabled surveillance, zero-click exploits) are challenging traditional legal and ethical boundaries. Panelists will explore how Canadian research and regulation can shape innovation towards privacy-respecting, accountable solutions for next-generation security tools.

Canada ranks among the most expensive countries for data breaches, which escalates costs, and undermine public safety and national productivity. This panel explores how misaligned incentives and unclear roles between technical, legal, executive, and regulatory actors during a cyber incident delays response and magnify impact. Panelists will identify where research, training, and governance reform could reduce friction and improve coordination across Canada’s public and private sectors.

AI-powered influence operations are expanding the cognitive attack surface Canadians face—distorting perception, degrading trust, and eroding informed decision-making. This panel explores cognitive security as a cybersecurity issue, focusing on how digital platforms, algorithms, and adversarial actors shape what Canadians see and believe. Panelists will identify research and policy pathways to strengthen democratic resilience especially for youth.

Space-based systems now underpin critical Canadian operations (e.g. Arctic patrols, secure international military communications) making them essential digital infrastructure with unique cybersecurity challenges. This panel explores how vulnerabilities in satellite signals, control software, and space-derived services intersect with risks on Earth, especially in military, public safety, and remote operations. Panelists will examine what securing these cyberphysical systems demands in terms of research, resilience, interoperability, and Canada’s future capability planning.