Engen’s Path from Passionate Learner to Visionary Leader!
A technological leader demonstrates creativity, vision, and flexibility. These professionals not only have extensive technical knowledge, but also a strategic perspective that links technological breakthroughs to commercial objectives. They are forward-thinkers, always looking for new ways to use developing technology to gain a competitive edge.
Effective leaders in information technology are proficient at negotiating the intricacies of digital transformation, ensuring that their firms remain ahead of the curve in a quickly changing world. Communication is a key skill for technology management. They integrate complicated technological concepts into practical commercial strategy, bridging the gap between technical teams and executive leadership.
Ultimately, a technology leader promotes revolutionary change, motivates their people, and ensures that technical investments connect with and advance the company’s strategic goals. One such leader is Calvin Engen. As a Chief Technology Officer at F12.net, his fascination with the extensive and rapid evolution of computers and digital systems prompted him to seek a career in technology. From an early age, he was fascinated by the limitless possibilities that computers might provide. This devotion was encouraged even more by the fact that technology was dynamic and ever-changing, necessitating ongoing study and adaptation.
Calvin, who lacked official training at the time, became a self-taught specialist via study, experimentation, and practical experience. His interest and persistence helped him overcome impostor syndrome, motivating him to always grow and demonstrate his ability. One of the most enjoyable elements of his journey has been addressing IT difficulties for others, ensuring that technology works easily and effectively.
As CTO of F12.net, Calvin applies his enthusiasm and skills to developing safe, secure, and efficient IT solutions for customers, allowing them to focus on their primary business operations. His work allows him to be motivated by quick advancements in technology and the possibility of innovation, reaffirming his vow to assist others and raise industry standards.
He cultivates an environment of continual learning and innovation, enabling people to experiment and think creatively. His imaginative approach and dedication to perfection distinguish their companies as industry leaders.
Let us learn more about his journey:
Background and Inspiration
Calvin’s journey into the world of technology was sparked by an innate fascination with the complexity and rapid evolution of computers and digital systems. From a young age, he was captivated by the endless possibilities that computers could offer, viewing them as puzzles to be solved and then upgraded. This passion was further fueled by the dynamic and ever-changing nature of technology, which demanded constant learning and adaptation.
Without the advantage of formal training initially, his curiosity and determination drove him to become an autodidact. He spent countless hours reading, experimenting, and learning through hands-on experience. His struggle with impostor syndrome pushed him to continuously improve, fearing that he might be found out otherwise. This self-driven approach not only equipped him with a deep understanding of technology but also instilled in him the resilience to tackle complex challenges.
One of the most rewarding aspects of his journey has been the ability to help others overcome their IT challenges. He finds immense satisfaction in solving problems and making technology work seamlessly for people. This drive to assist others and improve efficiency through technological solutions has been a constant motivator throughout his career.
Vision to Reality
F12.net’s beginnings resembled those of many other start-ups in 1994—a basement office, a big idea, a driven founder, and a connection to the relatively new phenomenon called the Internet. The nineties were a time when technology was becoming increasingly accessible, and businesses were becoming more dependent on software to run their operations. F12.net believed in profiting not from their clients’ pain but from ensuring everything worked smoothly.
During this period, employees were just starting to embrace email and text messaging, marking the onset of the tech boom. Now, 25 years later, we live in a world where over 18.7 billion SMS and 250 billion emails are sent daily, with multiple apps, platforms, clouds, AI, and devices underpinning both professional and personal lives.
Calvin’s journey in this evolving landscape has not been seamless, but his love for IT remains steadfast. The team’s grit, mergers and acquisitions strategy, and proactive attitude have been pivotal in their growth. As they look forward to the future, they anticipate where the next few decades may take F12.net.
Challenges of a Fledgling Career
In the early stages of Calvin’s career, he encountered a series of formidable challenges. One of the most prominent obstacles was his youthful appearance and age, which often sparked doubts regarding his capabilities. Being relatively untested in the industry added to the skepticism surrounding his potential. Despite these adversities, CEO Alex Webb took a leap of faith in him, recognizing his untapped potential and eagerness to learn.
To compensate for his lack of experience, he adopted a receptive demeanor and maintained an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Engaging in leadership roles, he frequently found himself guiding individuals significantly older than him. This endeavor was no mean feat, requiring him to consistently earn their respect and validate his abilities. Cultivating active listening as a crucial skill, Calvin learned to appreciate the wisdom and experiences of others while asserting his own contributions.
Here are the steps Calvin took to overcome these challenges:
Adopt a Receptive Attitude: Calvin realized that to gain the respect of his senior colleagues, he needed to demonstrate humility and a willingness to learn. By actively listening to others and valuing their insights, he built a collaborative environment where his input was also valued. This approach created a balance where he could lead effectively while learning from the experiences of those around him.
- Rationale: Showing respect for the experience and knowledge of others helps in building mutual respect and trust. It demonstrates that leadership is not about asserting authority but about guiding and learning collectively.
Embrace a Growth Mindset: Calvin understood that mistakes were inevitable, especially in the early stages of his career. Instead of fearing these missteps, he embraced them as opportunities for growth. By analyzing each error, he refined his strategies and improved his decision-making skills.
- Example: When a project under his supervision did not meet its targets, Calvin reviewed what went wrong, sought feedback from his team, and implemented changes to prevent similar issues in the future.
- Rationale: Viewing setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures fosters a resilient and adaptive leadership style. It encourages continuous improvement and innovation.
Set High Standards: He encouraged both himself and his team to strive for excellence by setting demanding but achievable standards. This approach pushed everyone to perform at their best and fostered a culture of high performance.
- Example: He implemented regular performance reviews and feedback sessions, ensuring that each team member had clear goals and the support needed to achieve them.
- Rationale: High standards drive motivation and improvement. Clear goals and regular feedback help individuals understand expectations and identify areas for development.
Make Tough Decisions with Empathy: One of the most challenging aspects of his early managerial responsibilities involved making tough decisions regarding personnel. Despite exhaustive efforts, the path to success for certain individuals remained unclear. When necessary, he made the difficult decision to dismiss employees, always ensuring these actions were handled with empathy and integrity.
- Example: When letting go of an employee, he conducted the conversation with respect, providing constructive feedback and offering support for their next steps.
- Rationale: Making difficult decisions with empathy helps maintain team morale and integrity. It shows that while high performance is expected, each individual’s dignity is respected.
Foster a Culture of Continuous Learning: Calvin cultivated an environment where continuous learning and innovation were encouraged. He led by example, constantly seeking new knowledge and encouraging his team to do the same.
- Example: He organized regular training sessions and workshops to keep the team updated with the latest technological advancements and industry trends.
- Rationale: A culture of continuous learning ensures that the team remains competitive and adaptable in a rapidly evolving industry. It promotes personal and professional growth, keeping the organization ahead of the curve.
His journey was not defined by a singular moment or action but by an unyielding drive to excel and a steadfast devotion to continual enhancement. Through perseverance, a receptiveness to learning, and a dedication to excellence, he successfully evolved into the leadership role he presently occupies.
Forces Behind Innovative Product Development
At F12.net, the primary motivation has always been to provide clients with the most effective, innovative, and secure IT solutions possible. The development of the company’s programs—F12 Cloud, F12 Infinite, and F12 Secure—was driven by this zeal for superiority and the desire to address the evolving needs of clients in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
F12 Cloud:
The motivation behind F12 Cloud, particularly the F12 Sovereign Cloud, was to offer clients a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solution for their IT infrastructure needs, serving clients across Canada. Recognizing the necessity of providing a robust and reliable cloud service that ensures data sovereignty and compliance with local regulations, F12 Sovereign Cloud is SOC 2 Type II and CyberSecure Canada-certified. It offers comprehensive private cloud hosting and cybersecurity with a simple, all-inclusive flat-fee pricing structure, making it easier for clients to predict costs and manage their budgets without unexpected billing surprises.
F12 Sovereign Cloud covers everything from computing, storage, internet, backup, and cybersecurity to management and support. It ensures compliance and high availability with features like 24/7 monitoring, alerting, and response, and a financially backed SLA of over 99.95%. By managing and optimizing client cloud environments, F12.net enables clients to focus on their core business activities without the burden of maintaining complex IT infrastructures.
F12 Infinite:
F12 Infinite was created to deliver comprehensive IT support and services tailored to the specific needs of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Understanding that many SMEs struggle with managing their IT resources effectively due to limited budgets and expertise, F12 Infinite addresses these challenges by taking full responsibility for the IT infrastructure, including provisioning, management, security, and support. This program promises that clients will never have to worry about their tech stack, as it will always work efficiently and securely, tested to the highest standards.
The platform offers infinite scalability, auditable security, and the flexibility to work from anywhere. F12 Infinite is built on the NIST CyberSecurity Framework and CIS Controls, ensuring strong, proactive cybersecurity. As one of the few SOC 2 Type II CyberSecure Canada-certified IT providers, F12.net offers comprehensive IT services with a fixed per-user monthly fee, eliminating the IT treadmill of forced obsolescence and unpredictable project billing. This allows clients to focus on their business growth while F12.net manages their IT needs.
F12 Secure:
The development of F12 Secure was driven by the increasing prevalence of cyber threats and the critical importance of data protection. Recognizing that cybersecurity is a top priority for all businesses, regardless of size or industry, F12 Secure offers a comprehensive suite of security services designed to protect clients’ data, systems, and networks from a wide range of threats. This includes managed detection and response, vulnerability scanning, stolen credential monitoring, and advanced endpoint protection.
F12 Secure takes full responsibility for clients’ IT security, ensuring their security tech stack is always leading-edge. The company provides strong, proactive cybersecurity based on the NIST CyberSecurity Framework and CIS controls. As one of the few SOC 2 Type II CyberSecure Canada-certified IT providers, F12.net uses auditable data governance policies to ensure compliance and protection of client data. The Security Operations Centre (SOC) offers 24/7 monitoring, immediate incident response, and remediation. Additionally, the company provides comprehensive security training, including customized online cybersecurity training, ongoing anti-phishing campaigns, and remedial security awareness training.
Duality of Corporate Leadership and Public Advocacy
Balancing the roles of a technical leader and a regular speaker on data privacy and cybersecurity requires Calvin to employ a combination of strategic time management, effective delegation, and continuous learning. Both aspects of his career are deeply intertwined and mutually reinforcing, allowing him to excel in both areas.
As the CTO, his primary responsibility is to oversee the company’s technology strategy, ensuring that the IT infrastructure, solutions, and services are robust, secure, and aligned with business goals. This involves staying ahead of technological advancements, leading a diverse team of IT professionals, and driving innovation within the organization. Effective delegation is crucial in this role. By empowering his team members and trusting their expertise, he can focus on high-level strategic initiatives while ensuring that daily operations run smoothly.
Public speaking on data privacy and cybersecurity is an extension of his passion for advancing the field and sharing knowledge. He views these speaking engagements as an opportunity to advocate for higher standards in cybersecurity, educate businesses on best practices, and stay engaged with the broader industry community. Preparing for these engagements involves staying up-to-date with the latest trends, threats, and regulatory changes in cybersecurity. This ongoing research not only benefits Calvin’s public speaking but also enhances his effectiveness as a technical leader.
Calvin’s ability to balance these two critical aspects of his career is a testament to his strategic thinking, adaptability, and dedication to continuous improvement. By leveraging his technical expertise, communication skills, and leadership abilities, he has established himself as a respected voice in the cybersecurity community while driving innovation and success within his organization.
Cybersecurity Standards and Credentials
At F12.net, ensuring the organization stays at the forefront of cybersecurity measures and certifications is a multifaceted approach driven by a steadfast pledge to continuous improvement and a proactive stance on industry standards. Calvin firmly believes that maintaining a leading edge in cybersecurity requires a relentless pursuit of excellence and adherence to the highest standards.
- Obligation to Continuous Improvement: F12.net is dedicated to continuous improvement, constantly refining its processes and technologies to stay ahead of emerging threats. This philosophy is embedded in the organizational culture, encouraging every team member to strive for excellence and innovation.
- SOC II Type II Certification: F12.net has been SOC II Type II certified for over a decade, making it one of the first Canadian-managed IT service providers to obtain this certification. This long-standing assurance to SOC II Type II demonstrates the organization’s dedication to maintaining rigorous security controls and consistently meeting high standards of data protection and operational integrity.
- CyberSecure Canada Certification: F12.net was among the first to achieve the CyberSecure Canada certification, underscoring the company’s desire to meet national cybersecurity standards and protect its clients’ data. This certification ensures that F12.net adheres to best practices in cybersecurity, providing its clients with confidence in the organization’s ability to safeguard their information.
Canadian Controlled Goods Program Certification
In addition to CyberSecure Canada, F12.net has obtained the Canadian Controlled Goods Program certification. This certification is crucial for handling sensitive and controlled goods within Canada, further enhancing the company’s credibility and capability in managing high-security projects.
- Future Certifications: Looking ahead, F12.net continues to elevate its standards, with sights set on obtaining ISO 27001 and CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) certifications. Achieving these certifications will further solidify the organization’s position as a leader in cybersecurity, ensuring it meets international standards for information security management and defense sector requirements.
- Strategic Initiatives: To ensure it remains at the forefront of cybersecurity, F12.net invests in advanced technologies and continuously updates its security infrastructure. This includes implementing state-of-the-art threat detection and response systems, conducting regular security audits, and staying informed about the latest cybersecurity trends and threats.
- Team Training and Development: F12.net prioritizes ongoing training and development for its team members, ensuring they are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills in cybersecurity. This includes certifications, workshops, and participation in industry conferences to stay current with best practices and emerging technologies.
Proactive Industry Engagement
By actively engaging with industry bodies, participating in advisory councils, and collaborating with other leaders in the field, F12.net stays informed about regulatory changes and industry advancements. This proactive engagement allows the organization to anticipate and adapt to new challenges, ensuring it remains a step ahead in its cybersecurity measures.
F12.net’s promise of nonstop improvement, adherence to stringent certifications, and proactive engagement in the industry ensure that the organization remains at the forefront of cybersecurity. Its dedication to brilliance and innovation positions F12.net as a trusted leader in providing secure and reliable IT services.
