Each year, during the CANHEIT conference, the efforts and contributions of individuals, groups, or institutions from across Canada’s higher education IT community are recognized. Information Systems & Technology (IST) is proud to announce Mike Patterson, Manager, IT Security Operations, is the co-recipient of CUCCIO’s Emerging Leader award, which recognizes rising stars in Canadian Higher Education information technology, who demonstrate both technical expertise as well as growth in leadership capacity.
In late May 2023, IST were notified by law enforcement that a ransomware group was in the process of attempt to breaching UWaterloo's network. Mike's quick thinking and decisive action during this major incident ensured the situation was contained and no ransomware was deployed. His calm demeanour under pressure helped Waterloo achieve a swift recovery to our network and affected systems while inspiring trust within the University community.
Mike plays a central role in developing Waterloo's ongoing cybersecurity strategy and spearheaded the successful rollout of a new Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tool, navigating internal discussions with a thoughtful leadership style. Mike actively participates in CUCCIO’s IT Security Leadership Development Program (ISLDP) and co-chairs the CUCCIO Special Interest Group (SIG) on Cybersecurity. A regular contributor to CanSSOC events, Mike is a champion for collaboration and information sharing within the cybersecurity community. Mike's dedication and leadership make him a valuable asset to Waterloo and Canada's cybersecurity landscape.
Congratulations to Mike on this well-deserved achievement.