# Operation: Defend The North 2026 (Calgary)

- Dates: 13 November 2026
- Location: Bow Valley College, Calgary, Canada
- Organiser: siberX
- Industry: Cybersecurity

## About

Operation: Defend the North 2026 (Calgary) offers a timely and immersive cybersecurity readiness experience, challenging participants to confront the realities of AI-driven threats within Canada’s most vital sectors. The event is designed for professionals who recognize that the next wave of cyber risk may not come from external breaches, but from autonomous agents operating inside their own organizations.

## Official links

- [Official website](https://siberx.org/event/operation-defend-the-north-2026-calgary/?srsltid=AfmBOor9yA84lgGnPwxbEZ_LFY6ZZL9KTUiSNT_85tzlm_OLbAHFafZ2)

## Topics

- Simulating the New Frontier of Cyber Risk
- Industry Context and Relevance
- Hands-On Crisis Response and Collaboration

## Speakers

- Alex Dow, Chief Innovations Officer, Mirai Security
- Ali Abbas Hirji, Executive Director, Canadian Centre for Cyber Defence
- Eder Marques, Director Payments Security, Royal Bank of Canada
- Gbemisola Collins, Sr. Information Security Risk Advisor, CIBC
- Hadis Karimipour, Researcher, University of Calgary
- James Cairns, CISO, Bow Valley College
- Michael Buckley, Security Operations Center Lead, Mark Anthony Group
- Mona Mariam, Senior Director, Transformation and Strategy, National Bank of Canada
- Octavia Howell, VP, CISO, Equifax Canada
- Patrick Chagoury, Alberta Energy Regulator
- Paul Smith, Global Portfolio Director, Cybersecurity, Honeywell
- Priya Mouli, CISO, University of Alberta
- Samuel Aluko, Principal Information Security Consultant, SataCyber Inc
- Sana Navaid, Senior Cyber Security Specialist, Transalta
- Shelley Wark-Martyn, Strategic Workforce Advisor, SANS
- Sherifat Akinwonmi, Business Information Security Officer, TD
- Stefan Myroniuk, Board Director
- Vivek Khindria, President and Principal Consultant, Risk Embrace Inc

## Where to stay

- **Hotel Arts Kensington**: 250 m from the venue, 1126 Memorial Drive NW, T2N 3E3
  - [Hotel website](https://www.hotelartskensington.com/)
  - Phone: +1 403-228-4442
- **Element Calgary Downtown**: 350 m from the venue, 3 stars, 833 4 Avenue SW, Calgary, T2P 3T5
  - [Hotel website](https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yyced-element-calgary-downtown/overview/)
  - Phone: +1 587-392-8800
- **Holiday Inn Express & Suites**: 410 m from the venue, 1020 8 Avenue SW, Calgary, T2P 1J2
  - [Hotel website](https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/calgary/yyccg/hoteldetail)
  - Phone: +1 403 269 8262
- **Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel**: 450 m from the venue, 888 7 Avenue SW, T2P 3J3
  - [Hotel website](https://www.sandmanhotels.com/signature-calgary-downtown)
  - Phone: +1 403-237-8628
- **The Westley Hotel**: 720 m from the venue, 630 4 Avenue SW, T2P 0J9
  - [Hotel website](https://thewestleyhotel.com/)
  - Phone: +1-403-764-6262
- **Ramada Plaza Calgary Downtown**: 730 m from the venue, 708 8 Avenue SW
  - [Hotel website](https://ramadacalgary.com/)
- **Coast Calgary Downtown Hotel & Suites by APA**: 780 m from the venue, 610 4 Avenue SW, T2P 0K1
  - [Hotel website](https://www.coasthotels.com/coast-calgary-downtown-hotel-and-suites-by-apa)
  - Phone: +1 403-231-1000
- **Courtyard by Marriott Calgary Downtown**: 860 m from the venue, 3 stars, 525 5 Avenue SW, Calgary, T2P 3R7
  - [Hotel website](https://www.marriott.com/yycxd)
  - Phone: +1 403-300-6650

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Source: https://www.luminik.io/events/operation-defend-the-north-ae19fc70eefd/