This month, I had the opportunity to attend two significant Fortinet events in Calgary: the opening of the company's new Cybersecurity Innovation Hub and the inaugural Fortinet Cybersecurity Summit West. Over two days, I spoke with Fortinet leaders about cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, critical infrastructure, workforce development, and why Alberta is becoming an increasingly important part of Canada's technology ecosystem.

The first stop was Fortinet's newly opened Calgary Cybersecurity Innovation Hub.

To learn more about the decision behind this major investment, I spoke with Gordon Phillips, Regional Vice President, Sales, Western Canada at Fortinet. Gordon explained that Calgary offers a combination of strong technology talent, proximity to customers, and access to key industries that are increasingly focused on cybersecurity. The location also strengthens Fortinet's growing Canadian presence. 

The Calgary facility includes:

• A cybersecurity community hub

• Customer collaboration and demonstration spaces

• Cybersecurity education and training facilities

• Infrastructure designed to support local cloud and security services

The goal is to create a place where businesses, educators, students, technology groups, and cybersecurity professionals can work together to improve cybersecurity awareness and resilience across Western Canada.

The following day, Fortinet brought its global conference series to Alberta with the first-ever Cybersecurity Summit West. One of the biggest topics discussed throughout the event was Operational Technology (OT) security.

I chatted with Jeff Brown, National Business Development Manager and OT Practice Lead at Fortinet, to discuss how cyberattacks are increasingly targeting systems that control physical infrastructure.

When people think about cybersecurity, they often think about email, computers, and cloud services. OT security focuses on systems that control:

• Electrical infrastructure

• Energy facilities

• Industrial operations

• Water systems

• Manufacturing environments and more

As organizations connect these systems to modern networks and cloud services, they gain efficiency and visibility, but they also create new security challenges. 

Jeff discussed how ransomware, AI-assisted attacks, and legacy industrial systems are changing the threat landscape and why organizations need better visibility into operational environments.

While onsite, I had the opportunity to connect with Melonia da Gama, Director of Training and Learning Programs at the Fortinet Training Institute. Our discussion focused on one of the biggest challenges facing the cybersecurity industry today: developing enough skilled professionals to meet growing demand.

Melonia explained how Fortinet is working with schools, educators, and institutions to make cybersecurity education more accessible. We discussed cybersecurity awareness programs, hands-on learning opportunities, and why encouraging students at an earlier age is becoming increasingly important.

One particularly interesting topic was how AI is changing the way young people interact with technology and why future cybersecurity professionals will need strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills in addition to technical knowledge.

We also discussed the importance of increasing participation from women and underrepresented groups within cybersecurity and technology fields.

In the age of AI, cybersecurity impacts critical infrastructure, education, workforce development, economic growth, and public safety. The opening of Fortinet's new Calgary hub and the launch of Fortinet Cybersecurity Summit West reinforce Calgary's growing role as a centre for cybersecurity innovation, education, and critical infrastructure protection. 

Fortinet's investment highlights the increasing importance of Western Canada in the global cybersecurity conversation. 

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Disclaimer: Event coverage sponsored by Fortinet