In this episode of CCN Conversations, host Francois Guay speaks with Steve Waterhouse, a veteran cybersecurity leader with more than two decades of experience across national defence, government, education, and the private sector.

Steve shares his journey from being one of Canada’s earliest cyber soldiers to helping shape cybersecurity culture within government. He reflects on the early days of digital transformation, rebuilding critical infrastructure, and why forward-thinking security decisions matter long before threats become visible.

The conversation explores Canada’s position on the global cybersecurity stage, including lessons from countries like Israel, Estonia, and Singapore. Steve offers candid insights on why Canada continues to lag behind, how politics and fragmentation slow progress, and what needs to change to strengthen national resilience.

They also discuss commercialization, the loss of Canadian intellectual property, the challenges facing startups, and the importance of collaboration across government, industry, and academia. The episode closes with a powerful call for shared responsibility, better cyber hygiene, and citizen engagement to protect privacy, freedom, and trust in a digital world.

This episode is especially relevant for policymakers, business leaders, cybersecurity professionals, and anyone concerned about Canada’s digital future.

Listen now and join the conversation.