Cyber Resilience, Talent, and Building Community with Farzia Khan

In this episode of CCN Conversations, host Francois Guay sits down with Farzia Khan, Senior Manager of Information Security at TD Bank, where she leads enterprise-wide cyber resiliency initiatives.

Farzia shares her journey into cybersecurity, from self-teaching technology skills and pursuing computer science, to building cyber literacy, awareness programs, and upskilling initiatives within a large financial institution. She reflects on the impact of mentors, sponsors, and educators, and how early exposure and community support helped shape her career.

The conversation dives into the role of community and industry engagement, including Farzia’s founding of ElleHacks, Canada’s first and largest all-women hackathon. She discusses why creating inclusive spaces and hands-on opportunities can change lives and open doors for emerging talent.

They also explore current challenges in the cybersecurity landscape, including the talent gap, the rise of AI-driven threats, and the imbalance between attackers and defenders. Farzia offers practical advice for early-career professionals, emphasizing building real expertise, engaging with the community, and using hands-on learning opportunities over chasing certifications alone.

This episode is especially relevant for students, early-career professionals, leaders, and anyone interested in cyber resilience, workforce development, and building stronger security communities.

Listen now and join the conversation.