Sami Khoury Steps Down As Head Of CCCS For A New Role
Sami Khoury’s extensive background at the CSE began as a research engineer in 1992.
Samiksha Jain September 4, 2024 Reading Time: 4 mins read
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Sami Khoury, a veteran cybersecurity leader and the head of the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS), has announced his departure from the agency to take on a new role as the Canadian government’s Senior Official for Cybersecurity.
Khoury, who has spent over 30 years at the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), Canada’s premier cyber and signals intelligence agency, revealed his career move in a LinkedIn post on Tuesday, marking the end of his tenure as head of the CCCS and the beginning of a new chapter in his distinguished career.
“Yesterday marked my last day as Head of the Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity and today I start a new role as Gov. of Canada Senior Official for Cybersecurity. The last 1114 days have been nothing short of remarkable,” reads Khoury’s LinkedIn Post.
Sami Khoury, Legacy of Leadership at CCCS
Khoury’s departure from the CCCS marks the conclusion of an impactful tenure that began in August 2021. During his time leading the CCCS, Khoury was at the forefront of Canada’s cybersecurity defenses, steering the agency through a period marked by increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Reflecting on his time at the CCCS, Khoury described the experience as “nothing short of remarkable,” highlighting the challenges faced and the lessons learned during his 1,114 days in the role.
“We dealt with many incidents, some with devastating impacts on communities. Each taught us something about the threats but also on how to do better next time,” Khoury shared in his LinkedIn post.
Under Khoury’s leadership, the CCCS responded to numerous cyber incidents, demonstrating the agency’s critical role in safeguarding Canada’s digital infrastructure. In the past year alone, the CCCS has been involved in several high-profile investigations, including a suspected state-sponsored hack of government systems in British Columbia. This breach is believed to have compromised 22 email inboxes containing sensitive information about 19 individuals.
In February, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced an investigation into an “alarming” cyberattack that targeted its networks, further highlighting the severity of cyber threats against national security agencies. This was followed by Canada’s foreign ministry discovering “malicious cyber activity” on its network, which allowed hackers to access personal information. The origin of this breach—whether criminal or state-sponsored—remains unclear, adding to the complexity of the cyber threat landscape.
Additionally, a separate and previous incident saw data on current and former members of Canada’s armed forces and the RCMP compromised after a contractor providing relocation services for government personnel was hacked.
Building Strong Partnerships
Sami Khoury’s approach to cybersecurity has been rooted in the belief that strong and trusted partnerships are essential for success. “To be successful, building strong and trusted partnerships at every level of society, domestically but equally as important internationally, was and remains important. We can’t do it alone … no one can,”
Sami Khoury emphasized. His tenure at the CCCS was marked by efforts to foster collaboration not only within Canada but also with international partners, recognizing that cybersecurity is a global challenge that requires collective action.
Sami Khoury’s commitment to partnership-building was evident in his interactions with a wide range of stakeholders, from government agencies to private sector entities. He expressed gratitude to those who supported his efforts, stating, “I met very passionate people dedicated to making a positive difference, developed new partnerships, and along the way made new friends. Thank you to everyone who invited me into their space to share knowledge, lent a helping hand, reported an incident, or just reached out to say Hi.”
As Sami Khoury steps into his new role as the Canadian government’s Senior Official for Cybersecurity, he brings with him a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the cybersecurity landscape. In his LinkedIn post, Khoury expressed his eagerness to continue contributing to the field of cybersecurity, stating, “Looking forward to staying active in this space, and adding my voice to that of others who continue to promote a strong and resilient cyber agenda.”
His new role will likely involve shaping national cybersecurity policies, coordinating responses to cyber threats, and ensuring that Canada remains resilient against the ever-evolving cyber landscape. Sami Khoury’s extensive background at the CSE, where he began as a research engineer in 1992, positions him well to take on these responsibilities at a time when cybersecurity has never been more critical to national security.
