Cybersecurity and Data Privacy

1 - 3 April 2025 | National Convention Centre Canberra

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Streams

Overview of Cybersecurity and Data Privacy

In today’s digital landscape, the Australian public sector faces increasing threats to cybersecurity and data privacy. This stream delves into the critical importance of enhancing cybersecurity readiness and implementing robust data privacy measures to protect sensitive information and maintain public trust.

Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Speakers

LTGEN Michelle McGuinness CSC
Affairs, National Cyber Security Coordinator
Department of Home Affairs
Elizabeth Tydd
Commissioner
Australian Office of the Information Commissioner
Heidi Hutchison
Assistant Director-General, Cyber Uplift
Australian Cyber Security Centre Australian Signals Directorate
Helge Janicke
Deputy CEO, Research Director
Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre
Sadeed Tirmizey
CISO
Seqwater

Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Agenda Plenary


Permenthri Pillay
Partner, Government and Public Sector Business Tranformers, Digital Transformation
EY Australia

  • Government’s approach by providing baseline requirements on governance, assurance and transparency of AI
  • Strengthening public trust in government’s use of AI by providing enhanced transparency, governance and risk assurance
  • Addressing the importance of ensuring AI systems are free from biases that could lead to discrimination


Lucy Poole
General Manager Strategy, Planning and Performance Division
Digital Transformation Agency

  • Understanding how to collect, analyze, and interpret data to harness the power of AI technologies
  • Rethinking of education and training programs to ensure that students and workers are equipped with the skills needed to succeed in
    the AI era

  • Exploring how data and digital leaders from the Australian Public Service are driving innovation to enhance citizen outcomes
  • Examining the critical role of data and technology in building a smarter, more responsive government that meets the evolving
    expectations of citizens
  • Balancing citizen expectations, emerging technologies, and operational demands
  • Strengthening data security and privacy to uphold public trust
  • Collaborating with industry leaders to drive innovation and expertise in digital transformation


Wendie Boyd
Assistant Secretary, Digital Enabling Services Branch
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry


Garrett Tyler Parker
Director, Ananlysis & Insights
Austrade

Strengthening Cybersecurity Readiness and Data Privacy
  • Outlining the Australian
    government’s current
    cybersecurity policies,
    including legislative
    measures and public-private partnerships
  • Overview of the most
    prevalent cyber threats facing Australia today, including ransomware, phishing
    attacks, and data breaches
  • Equipping our government
    organisations with stronger
    cyber resilience
  • Collaboration among
    government, private sector and international partners to enhancing cybersecurity posture through


LTGEN Michelle McGuinness CSC
Affairs, National Cyber Security Coordinator
Department of Home Affairs

  • Identifying how AI
    technologies can be used
    by malicious actors to
    create sophisticated
    cyber threats, such as
    automated attacks and
    deepfakes
  • Addressing ethical
    concerns and privacy
    issues related to the use
    of AI in cybersecurity,
    including data protection
    and algorithmic biases
  • Developing the
    necessary skills and
    expertise within the
    cybersecurity workforce
    to effectively manage and
    mitigate AI-related risks

Take advantage of this engaging peer-to-peer networking experience aimed at fostering meaningful connections. Enjoy relaxed conversations that encourage open dialogue and collaboration as you share insights, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships with fellow data professionals. Participate in structured 10-minute rotations in our dedicated meeting zone, designed to facilitate both learning and networking.

  • Strategies for identifying and mitigating new vulnerabilities
    as technology and threat landscapes evolve
  • Crafting and recrafting cyber security risk plans
  • Developing and testing
    incident response to ensure preparedness and effective response in case of cyber incidents
  • Cultivating a security
    conscious culture across organisations involved in managing critical infrastructure


Heidi Hutchison
Assistant Director-General, Cyber Uplift
Australian Cyber Security Centre Australian Signals Directorate

  • Setting up transparent and efficient communication
    methods between public and private sectors to ensure
    timely information sharing and coordinated responses
  • Leveraging collective
    expertise and resources to enhance resilience against evolving cyber threats
  • Developing and implementing
    shared frameworks and protocols that streamline collaborative efforts and enhance consistency in addressing public concerns


Helge Janicke
Deputy CEO, Research Director
Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre

  • Defining data mesh, its purpose, and best practices for successful implementation
  • Establishing the benefits and differentiate it from other modern data architectures
  • Devising an implementation plan for your data mesh initiative, uncovering effective methods to overcome potential roadblock


Kate O’Rourke
Commissioner
Australian Securities and Investments Commission

This roundtable discussion offers a unique chance to engage with data peers, sharing common challenges and best practices on a topic of your choice. Each of the ten roundtables will be co-hosted by a technology expert and a government data leader, ensuring meaningful and insightful conversations. At the end of the day, facilitators will present a summary of the key findings to the entire group, allowing all participants to benefit from the collective insights.

1

Data Talent and Workforce Planning

Develop strategies to close skill gaps in the data workforce and ensure a pipeline of capable talent in APS

2

Data Driven Culture, Data Sharing and Accessibility

Practical approaches for promoting data sharing and collaboration among dierent government departments and agencies, considering the diverse data governance structures and regulations?

3

AI Tools & Emerging Technologies

Explore cutting-edge AI tools, create tailored implementation plans, and apply best practices to optimise organisational performance and outcomes.

4

Optimising Data Cloud & Storage Solutions

Leverage advanced data storage and cloud platforms, integrating security protocols to safeguard sensitive information eectively.

5

Data Governance & Risk Management

Implement robust data governance frameworks, develop risk audit methodologies, and ensure compliance with regulations to maintain data integrity.

6

Ethics & Regulation in AI

Establish ethical guidelines for AI development, ensuring adherence to regulatory frameworks and promoting responsible AI usage.

7

Selecting the Right Data Solutions

Identify and implement data solutions that drive informed decision-making and improve overall efficiency

8

Enhancing Data Sharing Across Agencies

Strengthen data-sharing practices across government agencies to improve collaboration and outcomes.

9

Data Governance & Security

Reinforce data governance and security measures to ensure regulatory compliance and mitigate risks

Join us at the end of the day one for cocktails, canapes and the opportunity to network with your peers, speakers and sponors.

Join us for an exclusive Networking Dinner at The Boat House Canberra on 2nd April 2025 at 7:00 PM. End your Summit day with a fine dining experience alongside your peers in a stunning lakeside setting.

Nestled along the scenic banks of Lake Burley Griffin, The Boat House promises more than just a meal—it’s a culinary journey in an unforgettable venue.

Seats are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so reserve your spot now to secure this premier networking opportunity!


Jo Talbot
Manager of Data Governance
Australian Communications and Media Authority

  • More insight, less effort – Building digital architectures to turn information into actionable insights
  • Know your audience – understanding what you want to say and to who
  • Developing an effective process that will ensure quality data visuals
  • Understanding what visuals work best for different data types
  • How data-driven decision-making can stimulate economic development by identifying growth sectors and optimising resource allocation
  • Importance of real-time data access in enhancing service delivery and decision-making processes
  • Highlighting successful collaborations between state governments to promote data-sharing initiatives and develop innovative solutions
  • Measurement frameworks used by state governments to assess their data strategies


Rai Fergusson
Chief Digital & Data Officer
Infrastructure Australia


Jason Owusu
Chief of Data & Digital
Department of Transport & Planning


Andrew Spiegelman
Head of Data & Analytics
Service NSW

Strengthening Cybersecurity Readiness and Data Privacy
  • Data privacy first: Steering AI through regulatory challenges
  • Data-driven innovation: A balance act of collaboration and privacy
  • Ensuring citizens are aware of and able to exercise their privacy rights to promote trust

 
Elizabeth Tydd
Commisioner 
Australian Office of the Information Commissioner

  • Guidance on adopting critical measures like the Essential Eight to enhance security across public sector systems
  • Strategies for cultivating cybersecurity awareness and best practices
  • Practical steps to improving incident response through information sharing and coordinated efforts across the public sector
Take advantage of this engaging peer-to-peer networking experience aimed at fostering meaningful connections. Enjoy relaxed conversations that encourage open dialogue and collaboration as you share insights, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships with fellow data professionals. Participate in structured 10-minute rotations in our dedicated meeting zone, designed to facilitate both learning and networking.
  • Developing and implementing
    an effective cyber security framework to proactively manage risk and continually strengthen protections
  • How can regular security evaluations and adoption of innovative controls help public sector agencies dynamically
    assess maturity and respond to emerging threats?
  • How can models of
    cross-agency and public-private partnership help amplify cyber defenses through shared expertise, streamlined coordination and rapid information exchange?
  • How can targeted skills development and training
    empower cyber professionals to safeguard operations into an uncertain future through
    exposure to cutting edge strategies and techniques?


Sadeed Tirmizey
CISO
Seqwater

  • What collaborative approaches could help Australia and its partners more effectively coordinate responses to transnational cyber incidents?
  • How can we help build stronger cyber defenses and resilience in regional critical infrastructure ecosystems?
  • How can Australia shape global technology markets to strengthen security and safety in the technology our governments, businesses and communities use?


Senior Representative
Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade

  • Best practices for linking data assets to enhance decision-making and service outcomes
  • The role of data governance in ensuring accuracy, security, and accessibility within the public sector
  • Strategies for aligning linked data with whole-of-government objectives while ensuring compliance with data sovereignty and privacy regulations
  • Addressing the challenges of data sharing, ownership, and privacy within intergovernmental linked data ecosystems


Greg Italiano
Government Chief Information Officer 
Department of the Premier and Cabinet of WA

  • Finding opportunities to strengthen implementation of the Framework for the Governance of Indigenous Data
  • The importance of collaboration between government bodies, Indigenous organisations, and communities in overcoming challenges


Nattlie Smith (Wiradjuri)
Branch Manager, Strategic Insights
National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA)

Key themes

Chief Data and Analytics Officer Strategy

The Chief Data and Analytics Officer plays a vital role in driving data-driven decision-making and innovation across government agencies. This stream focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by CDAOs in the Australian context, emphasising strategic leadership, collaboration, and the effective use of data to enhance service delivery and public trust.

Data Analytics and AI in Public Service Decision Making

In an era where data is abundant and technology is rapidly advancing, harnessing the power of data analytics and AI is essential for effective public service decision-making. This stream will delve into how government agencies can integrate data analytics and AI to enhance operational efficiency, improve service delivery and foster better outcomes for citizens.

CIO Leadership Driving Data-Driven Innovation

Chief Information Officers play a pivotal role in enabling a culture of data-driven innovation within the Australian government sector. This stream focuses on the essential leadership qualities and strategies that CIOs must adopt to leverage data effectively and drive transformative change across public services.

Strengthening Cybersecurity Readiness and Data Privacy

In today’s digital landscape, the Australian public sector faces increasing threats to cybersecurity and data privacy. This stream delves into the critical importance of enhancing cybersecurity readiness and implementing robust data privacy measures to protect sensitive information and maintain public trust.

Data as a Career

As data becomes an integral component of decision-making and service delivery within the government sector, the demand for skilled professionals in data roles continues to rise. This stream focuses on the diverse career opportunities in data within the public sector and the essential skills needed to thrive in this evolving landscape.

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