Oliver Benning

What skills will you contribute to the NCF Board?

I'm currently a student in Computer Science and Mathematics at the University of Ottawa. Additonally I work at a local cyber security company called Field Effect Software. I am affiliated with CIPS Ontario (cips.ca) and CS clubs within U of O.

I bring a high amount of technical aptitude and literacy to the board, as well as a passion for freedom respecting software. I keep up with the latest trends and articulate them well, and am more than capable of spearheading useful and simple technological initiatives.

What are the most important functions of the NCF for its members?

I believe it is to deliver internet as a utility and not a product, and ensure a baseline for fair internet access, as this has become a necessity.

Additionally I believe local, Ottawa hosted services and outreach programs are highly valuable as well.

Why do you want to be an NCF director?

Unfortunately, not many people my age know or care enough about the issues of fair internet access, digital privacy and their rights online. Also a lot don't realise how much better of a deal it is!

I seek to bring more awareness about NCF as an organisation externally. I also hope leverage this affiliation to organise outreach events on topic like encrypting emails/files, and possibly develop some simple services that would be helpful to members like a PGP key directory.

Oliver Benning (ga678)