Dr. Hadis Karimipour , PhD, who joined UCalgary in 2021, and is well known for her work in cybersecurity, says as the threat continues to evolve and becomes more sophisticated, it’s become big business.
"In Canada alone, such attacks cost organizations millions annually, with the average cost of a single breach exceeding $5 million," Karimipour says.
"By preventing disruptions, downtime and recovery expenses, our solution has the potential to save Canadian organizations millions of dollars each year."
To fight the growing challenges, the Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Secure and Resilient Cyber-Physical Systems has secured nearly $5 million in research funding from various organizations.
One of her projects focuses on the development of an AI-driven Adaptive Decision Defense System, which she says is a proactive approach to detecting and mitigating attacks on critical infrastructure.
Using cognitive AI - a technology that detects threats while working collaboratively with human teams - Karimipour is able to monitor stress, fatigue and other factors to support decision-makers in high-pressure situations while allowing them to respond quickly and effectively.
The associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Software Engineering says cybersecurity is a shared responsibility and everyone’s actions will help lead to a safer digital environment.
Inspiring the next generation of engineers
Karimipour was recently recognized as one of Canada’s most powerful in the Women’s Executive Network’s (WXN) list of Canada’s Most Powerful Women, and has been mentioned in Avenue Calgary ’s Top 40 Under 40 .Karimipour says such recognition is "really humbling" and an honour, as it’s more than just an award in her eyes.
"It’s a reminder of how important it is to keep pushing boundaries, especially as a woman in STEM," Karimipour says. "It’s also a chance to reflect on how far I’ve come and the amazing people who have supported me along the way."
She says it’s also an opportunity to show young women that they not only belong in engineering and STEM-related fields, but they can also achieve great things.
Karimipour says she wants to set an example for young people wanting to enter the field, so she is keen to share her expertise about cyberthreats.
Being recognized in the BMO STEM category for the Canada’s Most Powerful Women list, she takes challenging the status quo for knowledge and female empowerment to heart.
Karimipour’s biggest piece of advice for those looking to follow in her footsteps is to believe in yourself, even when it feels like the odds are against you.
"Don’t be afraid to take up space, even in places where you might not see many people like you," Karimipour says. "Surround yourself with people who lift you up, keep learning and don’t shy away from challenges."
She says it’s most important to realize that your unique perspective, which the world needs more of, is your biggest strength.
