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Higher ed IT isn’t just about technology—it’s about leadership, strategy, and navigating the unique challenges of institutional culture. And we’ve seen it all. Two retired Canadian Higher Ed CIOs—and CUCCIO CIO of the Year winners—Bo Wandschneider and Dana Sanderson—bring decades of experience tackling technology, governance, and innovation in Canadian universities. In Bytes of Experience: CIOs Unplugged, they cut through the noise to discuss real challenges, real solutions, and the realities of IT leadership. Expect deep insights, candid discussions, and plenty of humor—because IT isn’t always glamorous, but it’s always interesting. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the field, join them for an unfiltered look at the digital evolution of higher ed IT.
Episodes
Tuesday May 19, 2026
Tuesday May 19, 2026
In this episode of Bytes of Experience, Bo and Dana sit down with Axel Schulz, Director of Cybersecurity Operations at CANARIE, to explore how shared cybersecurity services are evolving across Canada’s research and education network. Axel traces his unconventional path from philosophy to SOC leadership, reflects on what makes cybersecurity in higher ed uniquely challenging, and explains why collaboration—not centralization—is the sector’s real superpower.
The conversation digs into five strategic pillars, including national cybersecurity assessments, threat intelligence, the federated SOC, resource‑sharing initiatives, and community engagement. Axel highlights the rapid growth in sector‑wide participation, the cultural shift toward open incident sharing, and how higher ed institutions are building collective resilience in the face of rising threats and AI‑driven complexity.
Book References:
Chip War - The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology by Chris Miller
Fish In a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Invisible Women - Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
A grounded, optimistic look at how Canada’s research and education community is strengthening cybersecurity—together.
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