Q&A with Deepak Kumar, VerveDelight’s Director
Pitch your company to us as if we’re an individual or organization that thinks cybercrime is “someone else’s problem.”
VerveDelight (Canada) was founded by a diverse team of cybersecurity experts, educators, and AI innovators who saw a critical gap in how cybersecurity was delivered to small and mid-sized organizations across Canada. Our origin lies in a shared mission: to make cybersecurity accessible, proactive, and human-centered.
Too often, we witnessed organizations fall victim to avoidable threats simply because they lacked the resources or understanding to protect themselves. This drove us to create AION Guard, an AI-powered cybersecurity platform designed for simplicity and scale, along with hands-on training programs that equip individuals and teams with the skills to defend their digital environments.
If you think cybercrime won’t affect you, think again. Hackers don’t discriminate by size or sector — they look for vulnerability. From phishing emails and ransomware to social engineering and data theft, cyber threats are silently targeting small businesses, schools, nonprofits, and local governments every day. We help organizations take control, without needing a full-time IT team or a massive budget.
Given that cybersecurity risk is global, where do Canadian companies fit in? What can we do better than anyone else?
Canadian companies bring a unique blend of trust, innovation, and ethical leadership to the global cybersecurity landscape.
With strong privacy laws, a multicultural talent pool, and a collaborative ecosystem that bridges government, academia, and industry, Canada is well-positioned to lead in building secure, inclusive, and human-centric cyber solutions.
What sets us apart is our ability to prioritize digital trust and accessibility: making cybersecurity understandable and actionable for organizations of all sizes. We don’t just create technology; we build resilient communities. Canada can excel in exporting this values-driven approach to cybersecurity, showing the world that safety, innovation, and equity can go hand in hand.
What’s the best question you’ve ever been asked about what you do?
The best question we’ve ever been asked is: “How do you make people care about cybersecurity before they become a victim?” It challenged us to rethink how we communicate and deliver value — not through fear, but through empowerment.
This has shaped our approach to building tools and training that are simple, relatable, and actionable. By focusing on education, real-world simulations, and community engagement, we help individuals and organizations understand that digital safety is part of everyday life — not just something to worry about after an attack.
What changes have you seen in Canadians’ awareness of cybersecurity in the past five years?
Over the past five years, Canadians’ awareness of cybersecurity has grown significantly, from a niche concern of IT departments to a mainstream issue affecting individuals, businesses, and communities alike.
High-profile breaches, ransomware attacks, and scams have pushed cybersecurity into daily conversations, making people more conscious of their digital footprint and the importance of protecting personal and organizational data. We’ve seen a shift from passive awareness to active interest, with more businesses seeking certifications like CyberSecure Canada, and more individuals participating in cyber education and training programs.
While awareness has increased, there’s still a gap between knowing the risks and taking concrete action — something we continue to address through education, accessible tools, and community outreach.
What excites you about the work being done in cyber in Canada right now?
What excites us most about the work being done in cyber in Canada right now is the growing spirit of collaboration and inclusivity across the ecosystem. From national initiatives like CyberSecure Canada to cutting-edge research coming out of universities and the rise of cybersecurity startups, there’s a strong momentum to not only strengthen defences but also build a cyber-aware society.
We’re seeing more efforts to support SMEs, empower underrepresented communities, and integrate AI and automation into threat detection and response.
What’s truly inspiring is how Canadian organizations are blending innovation with ethics—developing solutions that are both effective and trustworthy. This balanced, people-first approach positions Canada as a global leader in shaping the future of cybersecurity.
Where and how do you want to see your product or service make an impact in the next five years?
Our goal is to enable over 5,000 SMEs, schools, nonprofits, and local institutions to build proactive, AI-driven cyber defence systems that are both affordable and easy to use. We envision becoming a trusted partner in rural and underserved regions, where access to cybersecurity resources is often limited.
Additionally, we aim to strengthen the national talent pipeline by training thousands of students and professionals in real-world cyber skills, helping build a digitally resilient workforce.
