UK & Ireland CISO Executive Summit

 Exclusive to Governing Body members and select guests, this dinner is a can’t-miss opportunity to connect with your peers prior to tomorrow’s Executive Summit. 

Join experts from UCL Sarah Lawson and PhD student Waseq Ziaie for an interactive workshop delving into pioneering cyber security research. Engage with UCL's ongoing exploration of cybersecurity decision-making and its crucial influence on leadership and organisational success.

Businesses stand to benefit from AI in unprecedented ways, but only if IT and security leaders overcome transformation challenges. This includes implementing a modern zero trust architecture to protect data and users, embracing AI while managing its risks, and handling the technical and financial implications of ever-expanding environments. A risk-based approach to security ensures CISOs deliver a secure, phased transformation.

Join this session to:

• Understand how zero trust and AI together, unlike firewalls, provide the strongest cyber defense by stopping threat actors from lateral movement within networks
• Learn strategies for protecting AI applications developed in data centers and the cloud, while preventing data leaks from public AI applications
• Discover how eliminating costly legacy hardware simplifies environments while cutting network and security costs

Not If, When! The rise of complex supply chains has heightened the vulnerability many organisations. To combat these threats, the concept of a "minimum viable company" (MVC) has emerged to ensure business continuity after an attack. Douglas Weekes will share insights from Sainsbury’s journey to create a modern cyber resilience response through the innovative concept of a Minimum Viable Company (MVC).

This session will explore the following: 

• Discuss the value of adopting an MVC approach to ensure business continuity during cyber disruptions
• Learn how to adopt an MVC concept by streamlining processes and optimizing supply chains
• Understand how far Sainsbury’s is along this journey and how they reached this level of maturity. Gain exclusive insights into the milestones, challenges, and successes that have defined their path to cyber resilience

As cyber threats, emerging technologies, and evolving regulations redefine the digital landscape, the CISO role is transforming. With cybersecurity now a cornerstone of business strategy, CISOs are expanding their influence, shaping organisational priorities, and contributing to broader objectives. 

Join us for a session that delves into the evolving responsibilities of the CISO, where we will:

• Highlight potential future scenarios and anticipate changes to the CISO role in light of evolving regulations and digital advancements, from compliance and data privacy to AI
• Discuss how compliance and changing organisational structures are shifting accountability and redefining the CISO remit
• Explore how cybersecurity leadership can address challenges by aligning with business values and centering security at the heart of the business

Cybersecurity leaders are emerging as strategic members of the senior leadership team. As a result, we are being asked to deliver concrete outcomes rather than merely form risk-oriented opinions. How might we live up to these expectations to drive meaningful improvements that benefit the organisation? How can we ensure that our participation supports the organisation’s mission and objectives?
Join this session to discuss:

• Ways of focusing on actions–automated or manual–that change the security program in alignment with business goals
• Strategies for highlighting the security team’s value to technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Techniques for influencing colleagues to evolve the cybersecurity program

As AI and intelligent automation transform business operations, they also reshape identity security. Despite the enhanced efficiency and streamlined access, new risks arrive including AI-driven cyber threats, deepfake impersonation, and privilege abuse. Organisations must modernise their Identity & Access Management (IAM) strategies to mitigate evolving threats while ensuring secure, frictionless access.

Join this boardroom session to discuss: 

• The intersection of AI, automation, and identity security
• Strategies to mitigate AI-driven threats, enforce least privilege
• Leveraging automation for secure, efficient access management

Probably all of us recognise that cybersecurity has a diversity problem. But how many of us realise that the language we use every day may play a part in excluding a wide range of talent? In this interactive and thought-provoking session, Dr. Joseph Da Silva will share insights from his research on the pervasive masculinity within the cybersecurity industry. This discussion will include how we can make cyber more accessible and more appealing to a broader audience and ultimately improve security outcomes across our industries.

• Discover how the language of cybersecurity can inadvertently both exclude talent and restrict ideas
• Learn how making the field more appealing to a broader audience will enhance security cultures and bridge talent gaps
• Gain actionable insights into ways in which you can break the cycle to identify new approaches to cybersecurity and promote diversity and inclusion within your organisation

CISOs and executives have a unique opportunity to motivate their people by leveraging a combination of art and science. The art taps into the emotional side of motivation, the science relies on data and evidence. Both combined allow CIOs to create a holistic approach to motivation, fostering a highly motivated and engaged workforce. This session shows you how.