The definition of cyber security means different things to different people within an organisation. With the growing threat of cyber-attacks, a comprehensive security strategy is necessary to mitigate risks, protect sensitive data, and maintain the trust of customers and stakeholders. By prioritizing cyber security, organisations can avoid costly breaches, safeguard their reputation, and foster a culture of trust and accountability.

We'll be kicking off our conference with a fireside chat with Abhilash Nair who is an experienced Implementer & Cyber Security Consultant with an overall experience of over 15 years in strategy, transformation, information security and risk management and Anne Luk, Former Cyber Security Program Director, Queensland Health.

This fireside chat will discuss:

• How well do you and your stakeholders know your critical infrastructure?
• What does a risk-based approach involve in 2023 and what factors should be assessed to enhance your cyber resilience?
• How do you determine which protection mechanisms are right for your organisation?
• How can we adapt to ensure we’re nimble to emerging threats?
• What advice and examples can be given regarding the balance of addressing risks against business priorities?

Abhilash Nair

Senior Cyber Security Manager
Queensland Government

See Bio

Anne Luk

Former Cyber Security Program Director
Queensland Health

See Bio

Building a robust framework for critical infrastructure resilience is essential to ensure the safety and security of essential services and the continuity of vital systems. A robust framework for critical infrastructure resilience should include risk management, business continuity planning, and incident response measures. These measures should be tailored to the risks faced by the organization and its critical infrastructure.

With that in mind, we'll be joined by two key opinion leaders for this panel discussion – Rachel Falzon will be bringing her advisory knowledge and experience from within the defence sector. Rachel is passionate about working with organisations to drive decision-making using in-depth industry knowledge and Yusuf Denath has the focus based on managing risk and ensuring that organisations highest risk areas are prioritised.

Our discussion will cover questions including:

• What does good practice and effective SOCI compliance look like?
• What necessary steps are you taking to enhance your resilience and security posture?
• What security handling measures and remediation steps are you taking where necessary?
• What strategic steps are you taking (or would advise) to ensure critical infrastructure assets comply with the standards?

Yusuf Denath CISSP

Acting Director of IT, Child and Adolescent Health Service
Department of Health WA

See Bio

Rachel Falzon

Industry Advisor, Defence
Novel Management Pty Ltd

See Bio

From spotting the subtle signs of phishing attacks to safeguarding sensitive data, education and awareness are the bedrocks of effective cybersecurity. In a rapidly evolving threat landscape, empowering staff with knowledge not only reduces cyber attack risks but also ensures regulatory compliance and adherence to industry standards.

This fireside chat explores how promoting cybersecurity awareness can be a game-changer for organisations aiming to stay ahead of the curve. We'll be joined by Tara Dharnikota, who formally worked in the Open Intelligence Team within Telstra. Tara is a highly proficient cybersecurity leader with a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen. Renowned for her thought leadership in the realm of cybersecurity, Tara has refined her expertise by concentrating on the actions of cyber criminals and examining the implications of their activities as threats to organisations. Tara has developed a deep understanding of how to proactively mitigate and reduce security risks, applying her insights to support a wide range of businesses.

With this perspective, we will delve into:

• Fostering a culture of cybersecurity: Accelerating decision-making through awareness
• Building a Secure Ecosystem: Trust as the cornerstone of hybrid environments - data centres, network infrastructure, and the cloud
• Embracing the 'assumed-compromised' mindset: An innovative approach to cyber resilience
• Constructing a robust security model: Fortifying critical infrastructure resilience for the long haul

Tara Dharnikota

Head of Information Security Management
PEXA

See Bio

In our day-to-day lives, critical infrastructure is the vital framework that sustains the services we rely upon. Join the conversation as we delve into the significant role of strong and adaptable critical infrastructure, ensuring the continuous availability of indispensable services we all lean on.

We are joined by Dr. Meisam Eslahi, a distinguished authority in the realm of technical cybersecurity, boasting over two decades of experience in information technology, with a significant 16-year span characterized by leadership and technical roles in cybersecurity. Meisam will share insights on blending technology and resilience, fostering business alignment, and enhancing cyber awareness across corporate settings.

Join this session to learn:

• Strategies to bridge the tech-resilience gap: Gain insights into operational perspectives for harmonizing technology and resilience and understand the crucial need for integrating technological advancements to ensure service continuity.
• The important of cross-collaboration for business alignment: Explore real-world instances of collaborative efforts that align cybersecurity with business objectives. Discover how strategic partnerships can foster resilience and drive organizational growth.
• Strategies for enhanced cyber awareness: Uncover practical approaches to embedding cybersecurity awareness across the organization and learn effective methods for educating and empowering the workforce with essential cyber knowledge.

Dr Meisam Eslahi CCISO, ECSA, CEH, CHFI, CEI, OSCP, ISMS LA

Executive Director, Cybersecurity
EC-Council Global Services

See Bio