Navigating the Cyber Seas: A Journey with a Cybersecurity Trailblazer
Shawn Thompson
In the fast-paced world of cybersecurity, every journey begins with a spark of inspiration and a quest for knowledge. This month in our member spotlight, we feature Joseph Shawn Thompson who for 25 years ran his own business, Thomtech Computer Service, providing IT/Cybersecurity services that covered all aspects of cybersecurity relevant to each organization from design to hardware/software solutions to security awareness, policy development, consulting and guidance. Thompson is now a sessional Instructor in the Information Systems Security Management graduate program at Concordia University of Edmonton.
Q) How did you initially become interested in the field of cybersecurity, and what motivated you to pursue it as a career?
Growing up surrounded by a lineage of tech-savvy individuals, my journey into the realm of cybersecurity was inevitable, with my father being a former Communicator (S)upplementary in the Royal Canadian Navy, an avionics expert in the Royal Canadian Armed Forces, and a partner in Tundra Technical Industries and Avionics. After earning a diploma in Computer Maintenance Technology in 1994-95, I embarked on my own entrepreneurial venture, Thomtech Computer Service. Cybersecurity, then known as information security, quickly emerged as a critical focus area as I provided IT solutions to small and medium-sized organizations in Edmonton."
Q) What role do you currently hold?
I am a sessional instructor in the Information Systems Security Management and Faculty of Management programs, as well as the program liaison. In 2022, I was awarded Sessional Instructor of the Year at Concordia University of Edmonton.
Q) What notable contributions have you made to the cybersecurity community?
I would say my most notable contributions to the cybersecurity community have come over the past five years through program development and teaching the next generation of cybersecurity professionals at Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE). I helped develop an online introductory cybersecurity course and organized monthly InfoSec Seminars with Dr. Eslam Abdallah, featuring various speakers and topics. The seminars are free, open to the public, and accessible online. I also worked with Dr. Sergey Butakov to create a cybersecurity emphasis in the Bachelor of Management program at CUE. Now, I am leading an initiative to expand this emphasis into a full major. In recent years, I have worked to build closer ties between CUE and ISC2 Alberta. Together with Hyma Pandyaram, and CUE students we began hosting joint cybersecurity events and encouraged students in creating a campus wide CUE ISC2 Alberta Student club.
Q) In your opinion, what are the most pressing cybersecurity challenges that organizations and individuals currently face?
I believe the most pressing cybersecurity challenge has always been perception. Cybersecurity challenges are still often treated as IT security issues rather than as business problems and opportunities. While headway has been made many people and organizations still cling to that perception which in my opinion makes them vulnerable regardless of the evolution and advances in the technologies we use and embrace. People remain the greatest vulnerability in cybersecurity and can also be one of our greatest strengths when properly educated and motivated.
Q) How do you believe these challenges can be mitigated or addressed effectively?
No challenge can be completely mitigated; however, I believe that as cybersecurity awareness, training, and education continue to grow the risk presented by the challenges will be minimized. A key factor is the awareness, knowledge and necessary skills needed to spread beyond cybersecurity experts. Business leaders, managers, and users need to have the knowledge, education, and skills to be part of the cybersecurity solution. This means breaking down barriers between cybersecurity and other organizations, professions, and trades to better enable a holistic and collaborative approach to cybersecurity.
Q) Can you share any long-term goals or aspirations you have as a cybersecurity expert?
My long-term goals are to continue teaching and sharing my knowledge and experience with current and future cybersecurity professionals and students. I am committed to seeing CUE's cybersecurity programs become as successful as can be. CUE has been educating graduates in cybersecurity for 20+ years and is still what I consider to be the best-kept secret in Canada. It is my goal to see that change by more Canadian students and professionals becoming educated in cybersecurity.
In the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, this trailblazer's journey serves as a reminder of the power of passion, education, and collaboration. As Shawn continues to shape the future of cybersecurity, may his efforts inspire us all to strive for a more secure digital world.
If you want to continue to conversation with Shawn, find him on LinkedIn.
