About Us
Your Trusted Security Advisors
“At FWDSEC (Forward Security) we are all about doing application, cloud, and information security better. Our team tackles security using a systematic approach, leveraging standards based and repeatable processes. We are incredibly passionate about delivering the best security solutions, and are driven to help our clients achieve the highest level of security to enable business growth.”
Farshad Abasi
Founder, Chief Security Officer
Who we are
Forward Security is a group of highly accomplished security professionals who focus on delivering best-in-class security solutions. Our team has experience with some of the world’s largest organizations including HSBC, Intel, and Motorola. In our day-to-day we love working closely with fast-growing start-ups and medium-sized enterprises to provide the security expertise they need to build their businesses with peace of mind.
How we came to be
When it comes to certain domains of security – particularly application and cloud – there is a shortage of quality service providers who have a deep understanding of the subject matter and evolving technology landscape. At Forward Security we have brought together some of the best and the brightest in the industry to provide leading expertise in these domains. We are truly passionate about security. Our team is here to deliver the most effective security for your business, following standardized, systematic, and repeatable processes.
Our values
We believe in leading by providing expertise across all levels of security. Facing security issues can feel daunting; we take a straight-talk approach, providing clarity and transparency for your organization with solutions you can trust. We are positive and encouraging as educators and service providers, always striving to work hard and work smart. We aim to provide our clients with thought leadership in security, and pride ourselves on always staying at the leading edge of best practices
What you can expect
As your trusted Cybersecurity advisors, you can always expect us to provide consistent and top-quality service tailored to your business. Tap into our specialized security understanding to solve your most challenging security problems with expert advice. We also know efficiency is key. People want high quality deliverables without the extraneous layers, so we get straight to the point (but with a smile, of course).
Who we are
Forward Security is a group of highly accomplished security professionals who focus on delivering best-in-class security solutions. Our team has experience with some of the world’s largest organizations including HSBC, Intel, and Motorola. In our day-to-day we love working closely with fast-growing start-ups and medium-sized enterprises to provide the security expertise they need to build their businesses with peace of mind.
How we came to be
When it comes to certain domains of security – particularly application and cloud – there is a shortage of quality service providers who have a deep understanding of the subject matter and evolving technology landscape. At Forward Security we have brought together some of the best and the brightest in the industry to provide leading expertise in these domains. We are truly passionate about security. Our team is here to deliver the most effective security for your business, following standardized, systematic, and repeatable processes.
Our values
We believe in leading by providing expertise across all levels of security. Facing security issues can feel daunting; we take a straight-talk approach, providing clarity and transparency for your organization with solutions you can trust. We are positive and encouraging as educators and service providers, always striving to work hard and work smart. We aim to provide our clients with thought leadership in security, and pride ourselves on always staying at the leading edge of best practices
What you can expect
As your trusted Cybersecurity advisors, you can always expect us to provide consistent and top-quality service tailored to your business. Tap into our specialized security understanding to solve your most challenging security problems with expert advice. We also know efficiency is key. People want high quality deliverables without the extraneous layers, so we get straight to the point (but with a smile, of course).
Who we are
How we came to be
Forward Security is a group of highly accomplished security professionals, who focus on delivering best-in-class security solutions. Our team has experience with some of the world’s largest organizations including HSBC, Intel, and Motorola. In our day-to-day we love working closely with fast-growing start-ups and medium-sized enterprises to provide the security expertise they need to build their businesses with peace of mind.
When it comes to certain domains of security – particularly application and cloud – there is a shortage of quality service providers who have a deep understanding of the subject matter and evolving technology landscape. At Forward Security we have brought together some of the best and the brightest in the industry to provide leading expertise in these domains. We are truly passionate about security. Our team is here to deliver the most effective security for your business, following standardized, systematic, and repeatable processes.
Our values
What you can expect
We believe in leading by providing expertise across all levels of security. Facing security issues can feel daunting; we take a straight-talk approach, providing clarity and transparency for your organization with solutions you can trust. We are positive and encouraging as educators and service providers, always striving to work hard and work smart. We aim to provide our clients with thought leadership in security, and pride ourselves on always staying at the leading edge of best practices
As your trusted Cybersecurity advisors, you can always expect us to provide consistent and top-quality service tailored to your business. Tap into our specialized security understanding to solve your most challenging security problems with expert advice. We also know efficiency is key. People want high quality deliverables without the extraneous layers, so we get straight to the point (but with a smile, of course).
Meet Our
A-Team
Farshad Abasi
Founder, Chief Security Officer, LinkedIn
An innovative technologist with over twenty years of experience in security, software design and development, network and system architecture and management. Farshad spent a decade as a senior member of HSBC’s IT security team and currently leads OWASP’s Vancouver chapter.
Designations & Certifications: CISSP, AWS Security Professional
Mathieu Chretien
Director of Engagement Management & Operations, LinkedIn
Matt brings 17+ years of experience in IT program & project management, as well as cash flow & supply chain optimization with companies of all sizes from Deloitte, EY, BC Hydro, and GE, to emerging tech start-ups. When he’s not helping clients, he enjoys kayaking, skiing, and spending time with his children and close friends.
Designations & Certs: PMP, CSCP, AWS Cloud Practitioner
Dennis Oudijk
Director of Business Development & Strategic Alliances, LinkedIn
Dennis has helped clients solve complex business problems with innovative technology solutions for over 25 years. He has experience working with Public and Private Enterprise clients including those in Health, Finance, Retail, Distribution, Manufacturing, and Entertainment sectors. His goal of building long term relationships has made him a Trusted Advisor to his clients and partners.
Hedi Cheriaa
Business Development and Sales Lead, LinkedIn
Hedi is passionate about technology, biotech, golf, innovation, consulting, sales, and coaching. With over 12 years of experience in B2B sales, he has worked with some of world’s leading brands such as Oracle, SAP, Longview, and Salesforce as well as start-ups to achieve their growth objectives through business development, sales operations optimization, talent management, and innovation.
Iman Sharafaldin
Application & Cloud Security Lead, LinkedIn
Passionate about all things code, Iman has more than 8 years of cybersecurity and software related experience. He is also a PhD candidate in computer science with more than 1000 citations on his cybersecurity related publications. Iman enjoys hiking in his spare time.
Designations & Certifications: PhD Comp. Sci., AWS Solutions Architect
Anuj Mistry
Application Security Lead, LinkedIn
Anuj has helped organizations secure their data & systems through offensive security assessments, consulting, education and more. With close to 20 years of experience involving strong expertise in cybersecurity built on a solid software engineering background, he has worked in some of the world’s leading technology companies such as IBM, Avaya & McAfee.
Designations & Certifications: OSCP, CSM
Jared Meit
Application Security Consultant, LinkedIn
Jared has always had a passion for taking things apart, learning how they work, and forgetting how to put them back together. He brings more than 12 years of professional software development, and a zeal for all things security. His AppSec experience at one of the “Big Four” accounting firms informs the deep level of care and scrutiny that he applies to each new project.
Ralph Andalis
Application Security Consultant, LinkedIn
Ralph brings over 5 years’ experience in AppSec, security research and cyber threat management, built through his time working for leading companies such as HP and Ernst & Young. His natural curiosity for technology energizes his everyday passion for pushing security forward.
Elliot Delaunay
Full Stack Software Engineer,
LinkedIn
Software Engineer involved in building some of the early omnichannel platforms for Canadian curbside pickup in-use today by Walmart, IKEA, and Dollarama. In addition, launched ETL pipelines and custom apps for Mercedes, Jaguar/Landrover, and Volkswagen related to customer care and warranty servicing. Enjoys bringing new ideas to life and studying AI.
Meet Our
Advisory Board
Dominic Rubino
Dominic is a serial entrepreneur, having started, bootstrapped, built and sold a number of companies in fields such as construction, pharmaceuticals, real estate, franchising and business advisory services. He believes in building high performing teams held together with a strong culture and simple systems.
Goran Kimovski (Kima)
Kima is a software industry veteran with 20+ years of experience building products & solutions on a variety of technology platforms. He is also a successful entrepreneur, co-founding and leading TriNimbus, a major Canadian AWS consulting business, through rapid growth and acquisitions by Onica and later Rackspace that enabled the business to become the largest AWS partner in North America.
Talk with us
Get in touch to book a complimentary security consultation