Hackfest 2025: Canada-Latvia cyber partnerships in the spotlight
October 24, 2025 - Defence Stories
Author: Major Christopher Daniel, CAFCYBERCOM Senior Public Affairs Officer
Estimated read time – 2:00
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Capt Shivom Sharman of CAFCYBERCOM addresses the audience at Hackfest 2025, sharing insights on Canada-Latvia cyber collaboration.
Photo credit: Danny Fullerton
Canada’s premier bilingual cybersecurity and hacking event, Hackfest 2025, recently brought together brought together more than 1,800 cyber professionals, enthusiasts, and students for a week of hands-on learning in Québec City.
Running from October 13 to 18, Hackfest 2025 began with four days of specialized training sessions, followed by two days of talks and interactive villages, featuring hands-on workshops on cybersecurity skills including physical security (lockpicking), securing internet-connected devices (IoT), industrial systems (SCADA), and more.
On October 17, Captain Shivom Sharman from the Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command (CAFCYBERCOM), Ian Gabriel from the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS), and Dr. Bernhards ‘BB’ Blumbergs from the Cyber Incident Response Institution of the Republic of Latvia (CERT.LV) participated in the Talks & Villages segment of Hackfest 2025.
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The moderator invites the audience to engage with the panel and ask questions during Hackfest 2025.
Photo credit: Danny Fullerton
During the Talks & Villages portion, panels encouraged in-depth discussions on key issues within the cybersecurity community. One panel, titled “Hunting bears with your friends: how Latvia and Canada joined forces in cyberspace,” highlighted the origins of the cyber partnership between Latvia and Canada.
“Building trust was the first step,” said Capt Sharman. “We had to work side by side with our Latvian partners to tackle real-world cyber threats and learn from each other in real time.”
The panel examined how the two countries built a frontline cyber defence against persistent Russian cyberattacks, turning shared challenges into operational resilience and enduring friendship. “It wasn’t just about technology,” said Mr. Gabriel. “It was about people, teamwork, and learning together under pressure.”
Since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, Latvia’s public and private sectors have faced ongoing cyber threats. To respond, CERT.LV partnered with Canadian Cyber Forces (now CAFCYBERCOM) to form a joint threat-hunting team. “Based on our successes and failures, we created tactics, techniques, and procedures and developed playbooks together,” said Dr. Blumbergs. “We learned quickly, adapted, and supported each other through operational challenges.”
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Capt Shivom Sharman of CAFCYBERCOM responds to an audience question during Hackfest 2025.
Photo credit: Danny Fullerton
Through sustained trust and close collaboration, the combined Canadian and Latvian team significantly enhanced their joint operational effectiveness. The panel illuminated the human dimension of cyber defence, illustrating an international partnership rooted in camaraderie, shared expertise, and mutual trust.
“Effective collaborative cyber defence isn’t just about systems and software,” said Capt Sharman. “It’s about the people, expertise, and partnerships which can allow you to adapt to new threats.” Hackfest demonstrated that the Canada-Latvia collaboration serves as a model for allied nations facing similar challenges in cyberspace.