MBWiTech | Rethinking Cybersecurity: Breaking the Myths Holding Women Back
Join us for a complimentary hot breakfast and learn more about how cybersecurity isn’t what you think it may be!
ISACA Winnipeg and Manitoba Women in Tech are passionate about helping women take their place in the tech world. Cybersecurity is an area overflowing with opportunities, but perceptions about careers in cybersecurity might be holding many women back from entering the field.
This presentation is all about challenging common assumptions about what cybersecurity is (and who it’s for). Mary will explain how some of these perceptions and beliefs are just myths that can be broken to help women take a confident career step into the cyber world.
If you have ever thought that:
- Cybersecurity is about hackers in hoodies
- There’s only one “right” way to enter a cybersecurity career
- Cybersecurity leadership is defined by technical mastery alone
- Cybersecurity work is isolated and done in silos
- Security is something you add on after technology is deployed
- Cybersecurity is about fear, control, and saying “no”
- You need permission or perfect confidence to belong in cyber
If so, you need to join us for this myth-busting presentation as part of Manitoba’s Tech Week! Mary’s presentation will be complemented by a panel featuring diverse cybersecurity roles that showcase the field as a multidisciplinary, collaborative ecosystem.
Agenda:
- 8:00 – 8:30 am: breakfast & networking
- 8:30 – 9:30 am: keynote & discussion
- 9:30 – 10:00 am: networking
- 10:00 am: event conclusion
Thank you to ISACA Winnipeg for sponsoring this event!
Speaker bio:
Mary Carmichael is a recognized leader in cybersecurity, technology risk, and digital governance, known for bridging strategy and execution to help organizations adopt innovation with confidence. With over 15 years of experience across the public and private sectors, she brings a CPA-backed perspective that blends financial acumen with cybersecurity insight. Her work focuses on business readiness for emerging technologies, particularly AI, where effective risk management is critical. Mary is a Catalyst Fellow with Toronto Metropolitan University, leading research on cybersecurity risks in the AI supply chain with a focus on third-party risk management. Mary is the Immediate Past President of the ISACA Vancouver Chapter and continues to contribute to global initiatives in IT risk, audit, and AI governance. Under her leadership, the chapter received ISACA Global’s Outstanding Chapter Achievement Award. She is a frequent writer and speaker on cybersecurity leadership and responsible innovation, and in 2025 was named one of Security Magazine’s Women in Security.
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Manitoba Women in Tech (#MBWiTech) is a community for women and gender-diverse folks working in tech, along with our allies. Whether you’re a developer, designer, founder, project manager, student, or just tech-curious: this space is for you.
Our events and workshops are agenda-free, judgement-free, and all about genuine connection.
MBWiTech is made possible through the support of three non profit organizations across Manitoba’s tech ecosystem. New Media Manitoba, North Forge, and Tech Manitoba, who have come together to build a community of connection, learning, and inclusion.