INCYBER Forum Canada 2025: Digital sovereignty at the heart of cybersecurity
For this first day, the political interventions set the tone high: cybersecurity is no longer a technical topic, but a matter of sovereignty, economy, and democratic stability.
A call to collective action
Caroline Xavier, Chief of the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), set the tone early on: “Invest, invest, invest in cybersecurity: it’s a matter of national and economic resilience.”
She urged both public and private organizations to go beyond regulatory compliance, embracing security by design and continuous training.
For the head of Canada’s national cryptologic agency, cybersecurity is no longer a narrow technical field — it is a pillar of national security, on par with defense or public health.
Her message to business and government leaders alike was clear: resilience cannot be decreed; it must be built and invested in.
Cooperation and alliances: Quebec on the move
Among the highlights of the opening session, Gilles Bélanger, Quebec’s Minister for Cybersecurity and Digital Affairs, detailed ongoing collaborations between different levels of government. “Cooperation is becoming tangible: from the federal level to the provinces and even Belgium, we’re sharing CSIRT methods, forensic expertise, and training to strengthen our defenses.”
The Minister confirmed the imminent signing of an operational agreement with the Belgian Centre for Cybersecurity, covering anonymized data exchange, digital investigation, and joint training programs.
This partnership reflects Quebec’s ambition to position itself as a hub for cybersecurity expertise and international collaboration.
Bélanger also highlighted the paradox of artificial intelligence — both a defensive asset and a potential vulnerability — calling for responsible AI governance within public administrations.
Cybersecurity as a pillar of national stability
Jacques Ramsay, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety, placed the debate in a broader perspective — that of sovereignty and institutional stability. “Cybersecurity is no longer a niche topic: it is fundamental to sovereignty, the economy, and stability.”
Since 2018, Canada has invested more than $4.8 billion in strengthening its cyber capabilities.
The Bill C-8, currently under review, aims to enhance the protection of critical infrastructure and introduce new mandatory incident reporting obligations.
For the Canadian government, cybersecurity is now considered a core component of national security — a significant institutional shift.
Transatlantic security: a shared responsibility
Krzysztof Gawkowski, Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister, brought a European and geopolitical perspective to the discussion, emphasizing the importance of alliances among democracies facing hybrid and information warfare threats. “Transatlantic security will not build itself — it is up to us to lead the change.”
In a context of regional tensions and information warfare, Poland is calling for stronger digital solidarity between European and North American partners.
That approach aligns with the mission of the INCYBER Forum, which seeks to foster dialogue between public and private cybersecurity ecosystems at the international level.
Industry as a driver of sovereignty
Representing the private sector, Estelle Azémard, Vice President Americas at OVHcloud, reminded attendees that digital sovereignty cannot exist without technological autonomy. “Defending against attacks is only part of the story: securing yourself also means ensuring your sovereignty.”
For OVHcloud, sovereignty rests on three pillars: data hosted under local jurisdiction, open and reversible technologies, and independent operational governance.
As the only global hyperscaler not subject to extraterritorial legislation such as the U.S. Cloud Act, OVHcloud promotes a European approach to cybersecurity based on transparency and trust.
A first day rich with strong signals
Beyond the speeches, this first day highlighted the vitality of a Canadian ecosystem in full transformation.
The Startup Award honored Cyberdefense.ai and Mindshield Institute, two promising companies shaping the future of cyber innovation — one specializing in predictive threat detection, the other in behavioral training and awareness.
The Women in Cyber Breakfast opened the day on a note of inspiration and inclusion, underscoring the growing diversity of talent shaping the cybersecurity field.
A maturing ecosystem
By bringing together public decision-makers, experts, entrepreneurs, and security leaders, the INCYBER Forum Canada has reaffirmed its role as a strategic hub for cybersecurity in North America.
Between calls for investment, international cooperation, and responsible technological governance, this first day established a strong consensus: cybersecurity is no longer just a matter of defense, but a shared pillar of sovereignty. As Caroline Xavier aptly concluded: “Cybersecurity is not just a technical challenge — it’s an imperative for national and economic security.”