Registration for the 3rd Annual International Cyber Risk Management Conference (ICRMC) opens today, in recognition of National Cyber Security Awareness Month

Tom Ridge, the First U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, and Richard Fadden, Canada's Former National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister, Announced as Keynote Speakers

TORONTO, Oct. 5, 2016 /CNW/ - The International Cyber Risk Management Conference (ICRMC) today revealed Tom Ridge – former Governor of Pennsylvania and the first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security – and Richard Fadden, Canada's former National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister (working consecutively with Prime Ministers Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau), as keynote speakers for the third annual ICRMC, taking place March 2–3, 2017 at the Allstream Centre in Toronto.

After 39 years in service with the Canadian government, Richard "Dick" Fadden retired earlier this year as one of Canada's top security officials. Previous responsibilities included Director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and Deputy Minister for the Department of National Defence.

A recognized thought leader in the area of cyber security, Tom Ridge is the founder of Ridge Global, a private company dedicated to assisting organizations as they prepare for and mitigate cyber risk. On September 1, 2016, he expanded to open Ridge Canada Cyber Solutions, Inc., a partnership with the Honourable David Peterson, former Premier of Ontario and Chairman of Cassels Brock & Blackwell.

"As organizations of all sizes have started relying more and more on technology to accomplish their goals, the risk of cyber attack has grown, becoming one of the most urgent threats facing businesses today," said Ridge. "Events like the ICRMC go a long way in spreading information and creating the solutions businesses need to help prepare for a potential data breach. I'm pleased to be involved in this year's conference, and to add my own voice to the wealth of viewpoints offered there."

ICRMC 2017 will explore the theme Cyber Security: Closing the Gaps, with expert panelists gathering for sessions dedicated to the gaps that exist in cyber security knowledge, governance, detection, insurance and response.

Registration for ICRMC 2017 opens in time for the start of the 13^th annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), a month-long event organized by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). NCSAM is dedicated to improving awareness and building education around cyber security and global online safety, featuring events and awareness campaigns meant to teach both businesses and consumers how to stay safe online and take cyber security precautions.

"NCSAM aims to teach even those organizations that don't consider themselves at risk about the importance of cyber security – because the harsh reality is that in today's technology-reliant landscape, every business is at risk," said ICRMC 2017 Emcee Ray Boisvert, CEO of I-SEC Integrated Strategies and the former Assistant Director of CSIS. "ICRMC aims to expand that awareness even further, helping organizations close the gaps in their cyber security protocol and knowledge. Because when any organization is a potential target, every organization needs to be prepared."

Once again, this year's Advisory Committee covers the spectrum of business and society concerned with cyber risk issues daily, including:

Joel Baker
President & CEO, MSA Research Inc.

Chantal Bernier
Counsel, Dentons Canada LLP    

Ray Boisvert 
CEO, I-SEC Integrated Strategies and former Assistant Director, Intelligence, CSIS

Greg Eskins
SVP and National Cyber Practice Leader, Marsh Canada

José Fernandez 
Associate Professor, École Polytechnique de Montréal

Scott Kannry 
CEO, Axio Global

Marcus LeCuyer 
Area Vice President, RSA Security

Greg Markell
President & CEO, Ridge Canada Cyber Solutions Inc.

Adel Melek 
Global Vice Chairman Risk Advisory, Deloitte LLP

Alexander Rau 
Senior Manager, Consulting Services, Mandiant

Jonathan Raymond 
National Lead, Canada, Network Visibility and Enforcement
Cisco Global Security Sales Organization

Brian Rosenbaum
SVP, National Cyber and Privacy Practice Leader, Aon Canada Inc.

Richard Wilson 
Partner, Cybersecurity & Privacy Consulting Leader, PwC

To find out more about ICRMC 2017, or to keep up to date on the newest announcements, visit www.icrmc.com or follow ICRMC on Twitter at @ICRMConf or through the hashtag #ICRMC2017.

About ICRMC

Now in its third year, the International Cyber Risk Management Conference (ICRMC) has earned a reputation as one of the most trusted global cyber security events. Employing a unique solution-oriented approach, ICRMC gathers experts from across fields – with representatives from business, academia, law enforcement, banking and more – to discuss today's most pressing cyber security issues. Visit www.icrmc.com for more information.

SOURCE International Cyber Risk Management Conference (ICRMC)

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For further information: Laura Viau, Director, Administrative Services & Event Management, International Cyber Risk Management Conference, 416-368-0777 ext. 25, [e-mail]