ANTHONY GREEN | PORTFOLIO.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine | Volume 2 | Issue 5 | 2024

ANTHONY GREEN: FOUNDER & SECURITY EVANGELIST

Anthony Green, a Vancouver-based cybersecurity professional, is a leader and innovator shaping the tech industry. Raised in Richmond, he developed a passion for technology early, building computers and exploring software. Before pivoting to IT and cybersecurity.

As CEO and co-founder of OpenRep, Anthony is redefining organic marketing with AI-driven solutions. His professional journey began at London Drugs, where he transitioned from technical support to managing major security initiatives like PCI DSS compliance. Currently, he leads security operations at the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC), where he built and now manages a team of cybersecurity specialists while mentoring emerging talent.

As a long-time instructor at UBC's Extended Learning department, he developed a micro-credential in Cloud Security Fundamentals.

At Vancouver Community College, he leads curriculum development for the Governance, Risk, and Compliance program. His global impact includes training instructors at the Blackberry Cybersecurity Centre in Malaysia.

In addition to his educational work, Anthony drives growth as Director of Business Development at Eureka Dev Sec Ops and revitalized ISACA Vancouver, Western Canada's largest cybersecurity community.

He championed initiatives like She Leads Tech and youth scholarships, fostering diversity and mentorship.

As an ambassador for Canada's cybersecurity cluster, In Sec M, Anthony connects local startups to global markets.

Whether mentoring professionals, building communities, or driving innovation, he is dedicated to advancing the cybersecurity ecosystem locally and internationally.

IN HIS WORDS

"I am Anthony Green, a cybersecurity professional, entrepreneur, and community builder based in Vancouver. My career has never followed a conventional path, and I have always been driven by a desire to push boundaries and empower others. My journey through technology, education, and innovation began to take shape during my first year of post-secondary education when I realized I had an entrepreneurial mindset. At the time, I noticed an opportunity in the digital marketing space - established agencies were charging high fees for web development and online marketing services. I knew I could deliver better results at a fraction of the cost. With two close friends, I began building websites and implementing search engine optimization strategies. That experience proved to me that I could transform my technical skills into real value for clients, sparking the entrepreneurial fire that continues to guide me.

"My earliest ventures, however, started long before I set foot in higher education. As a young teenager, I found myself selling "hacks" for an online game through specialized forums. While it did not make me a fortune, for a 13 or 14-year-old, the steady stream of income felt like a windfall. More importantly, it taught me a powerful lesson: if you can identify a market need - even one hidden in an online gaming community - and meet it with a solution, you can create value from almost nothing.

"Not every venture I pursued led to success. In 2018, I took a deep dive into cryptocurrency, initially watching my investments soar by over 1000%. However, like many, I fell into the trap of greed, pouring my gains into speculative meme coins and ultimately losing nearly everything. Though the experience was painful, it taught me critical lessons about discipline, risk management, and distinguishing between technological fundamentals and market hype. Despite my skepticism toward crypto speculation, I remain a believer in blockchain's transformative potential. Each setback has taught me caution, and every success has fueled my ambition.

"Over time, my entrepreneurial journey merged with my passion for cybersecurity. My early interests were in psychology and kinesiology. For nearly a decade, I coached senior boys' basketball, a role that taught me how to lead, mentor, and inspire, skills that have been invaluable in my transition to the technology sector. When I shifted focus and enrolled at BCIT, I discovered that cybersecurity perfectly aligned with my analytical mindset, love for continuous learning, and drive to make a community impact.

"My earliest cybersecurity role was at London Drugs. I started in a technical support position, working closely with hardware, but quickly transitioned into a full-time security analyst role. I led major initiatives like Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance - projects that required strategy, precision, and foresight. This role gave me a solid foundation in corporate security culture and the ability to influence it from within."

"It also proved that effective security solutions could come from local talent, not just global consulting firms. By the time I left, I had gained a nuanced understanding of how to integrate security into a company's operations while maintaining its business objectives.

"Today, I lead security operations and compliance for the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC). When I joined, there was no formal cybersecurity team? just me. Over the past five years, I have built a dedicated security unit from the ground up. We are now a team of four specialists tackling complex security challenges. Under my leadership, CPABC does more than meet compliance standards; we set new benchmarks, demonstrating that professional membership organizations can have robust and scalable cybersecurity strategies. Mentoring is a key part of my approach, and I take pride in helping junior team members grow into skilled professionals who can navigate the rapidly evolving threat landscape.

"I owe a lot to individuals who shaped my path. In cybersecurity, professionals like Justin MOlszewski, Michael Argast, Mary Carmichael, and Ritchie Po provided mentorship, guidance, and support. They encouraged me when challenges arose and offered invaluable feedback on strategy and growth.

"On the business front, mentors like Jonathan Niednagel and Sergey Bhukarov taught me how to pitch more effectively. Their advice on approaching investors and articulating my vision in a concise, compelling manner was transformative. Without their belief in my capabilities, I might not have had the confidence to take these big leaps.

"When I took leadership at ISACA Vancouver, the group had been diminished by the pandemic. Initially, our events had 20- 30 attendees, but by the end of my term, we saw nearly 300 at our AGM on Amazon's Post rooftop. This was not just a numerical achievement; it represented a cultural shift in how Vancouver's cybersecurity professionals viewed their potential.

"Under my leadership, ISACA Vancouver embraced inclusivity, mentorship, and diversity. Initiatives, like She Leads Tech and youth scholarships, inspired the next generation to pursue cybersecurity careers. By fostering networking, workshops, and events, I helped transform ISACA Vancouver into a vibrant hub in Western Canada's cybersecurity ecosystem.

"My passion for education is equally evident in my teaching roles. I was the first dedicated cybersecurity instructor at UBC's Extended Learning Department, where I have been teaching for over three years. I developed a micro-credential program in Cloud Security Fundamentals and the Attacker's Mindset, ensuring students receive cutting-edge training aligned with industry needs. At Vancouver Community College (VCC), I serve as Lead Curriculum Developer for the Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) program, the first of its kind in BC.

"By integrating business principles into cybersecurity education, the GRC program offers a comprehensive approach that prepares graduates to excel in both strategic and technical aspects of the field.

"By integrating business principles into cybersecurity education, the GRC program offers a comprehensive approach that prepares graduates to excel in both strategic and technical aspects of the field.

"My influence is not confined to the local cybersecurity scene. My teaching work has taken me internationally, including training instructors at the BlackBerry Cybersecurity Centre in Malaysia."

"As the Director of Business Development for Eureka Dev Sec Ops, a Vancouver-based cybersecurity startup, I contribute to shaping the next generation of technological solutions by offering strategic advice and building key partnerships. Additionally, I serve as an ambassador for In-Sec-M, Canada's cybersecurity innovation cluster, where I help connect Vancouver-based startups and scale-ups with international markets and opportunities. Through trade missions, advisory roles, and thought leadership, I work tirelessly to ensure that Vancouver's cybersecurity sector earns its rightful place on the global stage.

"This multifaceted involvement in cybersecurity - spanning technical leadership, community building, curriculum development, and global advocacy - underscores my commitment to empowerment. I believe Vancouver, often overshadowed by larger tech hubs, can shine as a beacon of cybersecurity innovation. By mentoring new talent, guiding seasoned professionals, and creating educational frameworks for diverse communities, I have helped elevate Vancouver's security profile, making it a place where cutting-edge ideas thrive.

"However, my ambitions extend beyond cybersecurity. I am also the CEO and co-founder of OpenRep, an AI-powered organic digital marketing platform designed to democratize marketing in the same way Canva revolutionized graphic design. Before tools like Canva, creating professional-grade visual content required expertise in complex software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Canva eliminated these barriers, enabling anyone to create stunning designs with intuitive tools OpenRep aims to achieve a similar transformation in the world of organic marketing.

"Traditionally, effective social media marketing and search engine optimization (SEO) demanded specialized skills. Businesses often needed to hire full-time marketers or pay agency fees to create impactful content. The technical learning curve for each platform, combined with the challenge of crafting messages that resonate authentically with audiences, was a significant barrier. OpenRep addresses this by simplifying the process: users provide a few bullet points, and the platform generates platform-specific captions tailored for LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and other channels. Those same bullet points can even be transformed into long-form, SEO-optimized articles ready to rank on Google and Bing.

"In essence, OpenRep breaks down barriers that have long prevented small business owners, consultants, thought leaders, and non-marketers from confidently building their digital presence. By distilling complex marketing tasks into an accessible, AI-driven workflow, OpenRep empowers users to focus on their core expertise, whether running a local café, managing a boutique law firm, or developing cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, while maintaining a consistent, professional, and engaging online presence.

"The timing for OpenRep could not be better With AI tools evolving rapidly, OpenRep showcases how automation and machine learning can bridge the gap that often holds businesses back from realizing their full potential Much like I once automated processes at my digital marketing company and later used GPT technologies to optimize workflows, OpenRep leverages automation to eliminate complexity."

"Currently, my team and I are raising a pre-seed round for OpenRep, with plans to launch a go-to-market strategy in January 2025.

"Our focus is on refining the product, onboarding initial customers, and collecting valuable feedback to guide further development.

"By the end of 2024, I envision OpenRep as a polished, validated platform with a dedicated user base With those proof points, we aim to make a major push in 2025, solidifying OpenRep's position as an indispensable tool for professionals and businesses looking to amplify their digital presence without needing a marketing degree.

"This blend of entrepreneurial vision, technical expertise, and community focus reflects the synergy of my entire career My journey is about more than personal achievements; it demonstrates how individuals can help shape entire ecosystems.

"In cybersecurity, I helped transform Vancouver's community from a modest gathering of professionals into a thriving, recognized entity that supports its members and influences industry trends.

"In education, I have developed cutting-edge curricula, built talent pipelines, and equipped rising professionals with the tools and knowledge they need to secure our digital future.

"As a business leader, I am reimagining digital marketing to make it accessible to everyone.

"Vancouver is on the verge of significant growth in technology and cybersecurity, and I am proud to have contributed to laying the groundwork.

"Today, the city's cybersecurity events draw large crowds, top-tier speakers, and a strong sense of excitement. Local startups no longer need to rely on Silicon Valley or Toronto for mentorship; these resources are increasingly available here, supported by leaders who believe in Vancouver's potential as a global cybersecurity hub. Students graduating from UBC and VCC now enter the workforce with both technical skills and a comprehensive understanding of success in complex, regulated industries Companies that once struggled with their digital presence can turn to OpenRep for a cost-effective solution.

"My journey, from teenage side hustles to building a digital marketing firm, from setting cybersecurity standards at CPABC to revitalizing Vancouver's largest cybersecurity association, from teaching international audiences to launching a platform that democratizes marketing, has been a continuous evolution It is a story of rising to challenges, finding ways to innovate, and sharing knowledge so others can do the same.

"As 2024 draws to a close, my goals are clear. I want OpenRep to stand as a beacon of accessible marketing technology. I want Vancouver's cybersecurity scene to continue flourishing, attracting more talent, investments, and recognition. I want my students and mentees to step confidently into their futures, armed with the wisdom and skills I have helped them develop Ultimately, I want to prove that a city like Vancouver, often overshadowed by larger tech hubs, can produce world-class leaders, educators, innovators, and entrepreneurs who leave a lasting mark on the global stage!"