Patrick Gilbert
Senior Director, CISO
Rona
Patrick Gilbert joined Rona in August 2021 after being hired by Lowe’s US to lead the information security team and merge the security functions. Sycamore partners acquired Rona in 2023, where he is currently the CISO. Prior to that, he served as the Senior Director of Information Security at Ivanhoé Cambridge and the Chief Advisor CISO at the National Bank of Canada.
Learn more about the Toronto CISO community here.
Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.
I fell in love with a Sparcstation 5 in 1992 and the rest is history. I held multiple roles in security with increasing overall responsibilities in security operations, architecture, governance, risk and regulatory compliance and finally strategic advisor for CISOs and multi-year security programs.
What is one of your guiding leadership principles?
I encourage the sharing of ideas, open-mindedness, and the thirst for constant learning. I am a fan of the “think differently” mindset. I believe that you can succeed in this profession coming from any academic background as long as you are curious and never give up.
With disruption being a key theme of recent years, where do you see the CISO role going in the next 1-2 years?
Given the complexity and substantial financial, regulatory and reputational risks that can arise if left unchecked, I believe the CISO must be part of regular board-level discussions on risk, integrated with all other business risks that need to be managed.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out as a CISO?
Articulate the risks and learn to sell security. Risk means more things can happen than will happen. Manage your credibility on day 1 - this is your currency. Build strong relationships with all parties involved (information security communicates across all verticals). Remember, “Good news can take the stairs. Bad news takes the elevator.”
Tell us three fun facts about yourself.
- I am an avid salmon fisherman. Catching fish is a bonus.
- I am a proud dad to 4 girls.
- Curiously, I’m now afraid of spiders.
Bonus: We also own a small herd of dogs and cats.
What is the value of joining an Evanta community?
Evanta is a great community for CISOs to share experiences and achieve positive solutions and outcomes to common issues that we have or will encounter in information security.
Evanta Governing Body members share their insights and leadership perspectives to shape the agendas and topics that address the top priorities impacting business leaders today.
by CISOs, for CISOs
Join the conversation with peers in your local CISO community.