Terry Cutler

Terry Cutler is a Canadian cyber security expert, self-described "cyologist" and teacher, often described as an "ethical hacker" for his long term work with cyber security and protection. Cutler is the founder, former CTO, and current CEO of Cyology Labs and the vice-president of cyber security at SIRCO. He is also the creator of "The Course On Internet Safety". Cyology Labs's focal point is cyber security and data safety. Prior to founding Cyology Labs in 2015, Cutler founded Digital Locksmiths, Inc. focusing on data security of cloud and mobile solutions. Cutler is an often cited source on Cyber security and has been featured on various televisions shows across Canada.

Cyber security work

From 2005 on Terry Cutler has worked in cyber security, starting out working with companies such as Novell Canada. As part of his work he became a Certified Ethical Hacker, leaning the methods of how hackers work and putting that knowledge to work to prevent illegal access to data or systems. Over the years his expertise in cyber security has led to him being featured on news shows across Canada when talking about online safety, identity theft, hacking and the rise of cyber bullying in the latter part of the 2000s and the 2010s. He would also become a member of both High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA), and the Center for Internet Security (CIS). Over the years Cutler has been a regular contributor for Securityweek.com as part of their expert panels.

In 2011 Cutler left Novell Canada and founded Digital Locksmiths, Inc., a Montreal-based company that focuses on data security and defense, especially in cloud and mobile solutions, and also served as its Chief Technology Officer. In 2013 the company introduced a product known as S.P.E.C., (Security, Privacy, Electronic, Concierge) designed to help keep data safe. Cutler was asked to use his expertise to assist author Robert Beggs as a technical reviewer for his book "Mastering Kali Linux for Advanced Penetration Testing", later calling it "a must have for your IT security library". He would go on to create "The Course On Internet Safety" e-learning online courses, promoted under the umbrella of the "Internet Safety University". The courses are designed to teach individuals how to keep their data safe and how to avoid unintentional breaches of personal data when online. The course also addresses subjects such as sexting and cyberbullying, advising parents on how to identify it and how to deal with it if it happens to their children. Cutler later described this initiative as "giving back to the community".

In 2015 Cutler left Digital Locksmiths, Inc. to found Cyology Labs in Montreal, Quebec. Cyology Labs focuses on cyber security and security testing, with Cutler serving as company's Chief Executive Officer. On his website he describes himself and his co-workers as "the white hats" as they fight crime, liking them to forensic experts as depicted on television shows such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. In addition to his work with Cyology Labs he also serves as the Vice-President of cyber security for SIRCO, a company that specializes in investigation and protection services as well as cyber crime and industrial and corporate espionage.

In April 2016 Cutler was appointed to the national council of the Canadian Cybersecurity Alliance (CCA) as one of twelve people responsible for coordinating the CCA efforts with over 80 different groups who work with the CCA on the subject of cyber-security. Cutler was appointed the communications lead in the hope it would create more cooperation between various cyber security groups as he remarked "We all complement each other, but nobody's talking to each other," and went on to state that because of the CCA initiative "you’ll have some of the brightest minds across Canada collaborating together."

In February 2017, Terry Cutler was named the winner of the Cybersecurity excellence award for educator of the year. The annual Cybersecurity Excellence Awards honor individuals and companies that demonstrate innovation, excellence and leadership in information security across over 50 product, company and professional award categories. Produced in partnership with the Information Security Community on LinkedIn, the awards program taps into the vast experience of over 300,000 cybersecurity professionals to recognize the world’s best cybersecurity products, professionals and organizations. With hundreds of entries every year, the awards are highly competitive and reflect the dynamic pace of growth and innovation in the cybersecurity marketplace.

Also in February 2017 Terry Cutler was featured on Robert Guy Scully's Scully: The World Show to discuss just how vulnerable our data really is, through chilling real-life stories of how our identity can be stolen from under our nose, with one click of the mouse, propelling us into nightmares in a matter of minutes, anytime, anywhere and on any one of our darling gadgets.

In August 2017 Terry Cutler’s blog TerryCutler.com was voted Top 75 best hacker blogs on the Internet by feedspot. It made the list again in 2018 and 2019.

These blogs are ranked based on following criteria

·        Google reputation and Google search ranking

·        Influence and popularity on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites

·        Quality and consistency of posts.

·        Feedspot’s editorial team and expert review

In November 2017 Terry Cutler won 2 prestigious International Cyber Security and Intelligence awards for Academic as well as Leadership where the event was hosted by the Ontario College of Management and Technology. International Cyber Security and Intelligence Conference provides a rare opportunity for global experts in Cyber security, Intelligence, Counter-Terrorism, National Infrastructure, Industry, Cyber Operations research, Law enforcement, and Legal Practitioners to proffer unified ideas and best practices on cyber safety, attacks prevention and secured cyber world. The International Cyber Security and Intelligence Conference is a unique cyber security and intelligence conference that features high profile speakers from cyber security, privacy, intelligence, national critical infrastructure and counter-terrorism. Attendees will have a unique privilege to interact with some of the best brains in the industry.

About the Academic Award

The global campaign for a defensive cyberspace, intelligence, and security program may not be finalized without acknowledging the contributions of those in the academic world. This award category recognizes the effort of the talented professionals with pedagogical skills in cybersecurity and intelligence.

About the Leadership Award

This category rewards professionals such as, the Chief Information Security Officers (CISO), or Chief Cyber Security Officers (CCSO), Project Managers, or Consultants who have substantially contributed to the cybersecurity communities through their selfless service, cybersecurity project management, or project coordination. Nominee must have undertaken projects, or programs of value (both in financial and impact) to be considered for this award.

In June 2018 Terry Cutler was named #1 to IFSEC Global’s Top 20 Most Influential People in Cybersecurity. Judges were impressed with both the volume of nominations he received – far outstripping anyone else, in any category – but their persuasiveness too. “His ability to connect with his students and his talent at teaching simple concepts, as well as more advanced topics, are both truly superior,” said one of many admirers. Terry Cutler’s internet training courses have “easily helped over a million people”, in the words of someone who nominated him. Terry Cutler was one of six Canadians recognized as security influencers.

According to IFSEC, influencers are judged based on the following criteria:

·        Someone who has played a key role in driving technological innovation

·        Someone who has been a driving force in changing regulation, standards/guidance or best practice

·        Someone whose insights/opinions are widely respected and which are influential in shaping debate aroundindustry issues

·        Someone who has been instrumental in the success of the organisation or business they lead or are employed by

·        Someone who has helped to raise the industry’s profile or been an influential voice in the national media.

Cyologist

In May 2016 Terry Cutler created the term "cyologist" to describe someone who works in the field of cyber security and was granted a trademark for the term in Canada. The trademark definition listed the term, among other activities, as "consulting services in the field of testing and assessing networked devices for cyber security vulnerabilities and risks" as well as "educational services, namely conducting courses, seminars, and training in the field of internet security and internet safety and responsible use of the internet, computers and internet enabled devices;".

In a 2013 article Cutler described various aspects of the work at Digital Locksmiths, and later at Cyology Labs, which in this instance was trying to gain access to a company's system and obtain sensitive data as part of the company's analysis. The work includes trying to gain entry through the firewalls from the outside through various means such as keystroke logging or denial-of-service attacks. In addition to computer hacking Cutler would use other tricks to get inside access, describing a strategy where he would leave a USB key in a bathroom and wait for someone in the company to plug it in. The example cited was used to illustrate other ways hackers try to gain access to sensitive data, highlighting often ignored aspects of data security.

Personal life

Outside of his work Cutler is a long time practitioner of up-close magic, performing tricks and illusions for his family and friends. He is also a practitioner of the martial arts form aikido.