Stephen Kerkmann
CISO
Extendicare
After 25 years of enjoying the world of designing, implementing, and managing application and technology infrastructure solutions, it was time to pick something that would endure the next ten years and beyond. In 2015, Cybersecurity was clearly a growing trend, and with my background, a perfect opportunity to put my passion to an even greater purpose.
Learn more about leaders in the Toronto CISO community here.
What is one of your guiding leadership principles?
I really like our organization's values, which are Respect, Integrity, Compassion & Excellence.
With disruption being a key theme of the past year, where do you see your role as a CISO leader going in the next 1-2 years?
Further, educate senior business leaders and board members about the rapid acceleration of digital innovation in healthcare and how to avoid or mitigate cyber risk while we leverage that innovation to differentiate us from our competition.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the role?
Understand what's important to the organization and who they serve to ensure you are focused on the value you are to provide. Use a risk-based approach to garner support for investment and priority. Use the first 90 days to get some practical and successful outcomes.
Tell us 3 fun facts about yourself.
- "Don't forget to have fun" is a motto that I practice often.
- I am always in a good mood, unless you put me in a bad mood.
- I almost always use the words Fantastic, Dynamite, or Awesome when greeted.
What is the value of participating in a professional community through Evanta?
It is critical that your cybersecurity strategy can be vetted and verified through firsthand, unbiased industry experience and that you contribute the same. The people who depend on you will also count on you to look beyond industry hype or vendor marketing and have available real stories of real companies who share your approach, decisions, and choices.
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.