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Russell Thomas has extensive work experience in the field of information security and cybersecurity. Russell is currently working as the Director of Information Security Engineering at Ethoca since 2023. Prior to this, they served as the Senior Director of Cybersecurity at PC Financial Bank, a division of Loblaw Companies Limited, from 2020 to 2022. In this role, they led a cyber security team and was responsible for controlling budgets and ensuring secure operations and product development.

Before joining PC Financial Bank, Russell worked as the Integrated Risk Management Program Lead at NewRocket in 2019. Russell also held various roles at Accenture from 2014 to 2019, including Senior Director of Cyber Defense and Managed Security Team Lead, where they provided security services and managed risks for clients. Russell was also selected as an Accenture Innovation Fellow, focusing on the application of AI in cloud computing for threat detection and prevention.

Prior to Accenture, Russell worked at Scotiabank from 2004 to 2014, holding positions such as Director of Customer Protection Services, Director of Security Intelligence & Vulnerability Management and Cryptographic Services, Director of Security Research & Project Services, and Assistant General Manager of Business Relationship Management. Russell has also served as a Board Member and Chair of the Audit Committee at Drift Lake Resources Inc., a subsidiary of PowerOne Capital Markets Limited.

Earlier in their career, Russell worked at Sprint Canada as the Director of Vendor Management and Infrastructure from 2001 to 2004.

Overall, Russell Thomas has demonstrated expertise in information security, cybersecurity, risk management, and innovation, with a strong track record of leadership and accomplishments in their field.

Russell Thomas holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Smith School of Business at Queen's University. Russell also pursued a program in Trustworthy Cyber Infrastructure for the Power Grid (TCIPG) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, specializing in Cyber Systems Security. Additionally, they completed the Future of the Telecom Industry - MET Executive Development Program at the University of Toronto. Russell has further expertise in Information Security and CyberSecurity, having obtained the Security Essentials 401 certification from the SANS Technology Institute. Russell also holds a degree in Electronics Engineering Technology from Lambton College. In terms of certifications, Russell is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) accredited by (ISC)² since 2016. Russell is also a Certified Information Security Manager® (CISM) certified by ISACA since 2013. Additionally, they hold a Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) designation from the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) obtained in 1991. Other certifications include Certified Software Manager (CSM) from SIIA and ITIL v3 Foundation from Deloitte. In 2023, they plan to complete the Microsoft Azure: Identity and Access Management certification on LinkedIn. In 2020, they completed the certification course on Comparing Agile versus Waterfall Project Management, also on LinkedIn.