Agenda

Wed 22 Oct 2025

View event details
8:00AM

Registration and Networking Coffee

8:00 AM - 8:35 AM (35 mins)

8:35AM

Mihi

8:35 AM - 8:45 AM (10 mins)

8:45AM

Opening from Public Sector Network

8:45 AM - 9:00 AM (15 mins)

9:00AM

Chair Opening

9:00 AM - 9:10 AM (10 mins)

Jacqui Kernot Vice-President, Cybersecurity Services, Thales Cyber Services APAC
9:10AM
Ministerial Address

Ministerial Address

9:10 AM - 9:20 AM (10 mins)

Hon Judith Collins Attorney-General, Minister of Defence, Minister for Digitising Government, Minister for the Public Service, Minister Responsible for the GCSB, Minister Responsible for the NZSIS and Minister for Space, New Zealand
9:20AM
Keynote

The role of innovation in advancing Aotearoa’s cybersecurity posture

9:20 AM - 9:40 AM (20 mins)

  • How emerging technologies are enhancing Aotearoa’s ability to predict, detect, and respond to cyber threats more effectively.
  • The importance of fostering partnerships to drive cybersecurity innovation, ensuring resilience against evolving threats.
  • Continuous skills development and innovation in cybersecurity training to ensure the workforce is equipped with the expertise to tackle future challenges.
9:40AM
Industry Insights

Presented by Sailpoint

9:40 AM - 10:00 AM (20 mins)

10:00AM
Panel discussion

Protecting government networks during crisis

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM (30 mins)

Graeme Simpson Chief Technology Officer, Stats NZ

  • How cyber threats escalate in natural disasters and emergencies.
  • Strengthening digital infrastructure to support crisis resilience.
  • Leveraging cross-agency coordination to improve response times and recovery efforts.
  • Enhancing collaboration and support networks.
10:30AM

Morning Tea and Networking

10:30 AM - 11:10 AM (40 mins)

11:10AM
Fireside Chat

Cyber security as a public service: Reframing security as a citizen right

11:10 AM - 11:30 AM (20 mins)

Jared Licht Chief Information Security Officer, New Zealand Defence Force

  • How cybersecurity impacts public trust in government services.
  • Shifting from compliance-based security to a citizen-first approach.
  • The importance of proactive transparency after breaches.
11:30AM
Industry Insights

Presented by Fortinet

11:30 AM - 11:50 AM (20 mins)

11:50AM
Panel discussion

Understanding why government employees make risky security decisions

11:50 AM - 12:20 PM (30 mins)

  • Discovering why people ignore cybersecurity warnings.
  • Behavioural change strategies that have worked in public sector teams.
  • Using gamification and incentives to reinforce secure behaviours.
Ashley Archibald
Chief Information Security Officer, Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake
Yolanda Wilke
Domain Lead, Chief Information Security Office, Inland Revenue Department
Ronnie Rahman
Head of Cyber and Risk, Hamilton City Council
Jane Standish
Director – Digital Government Lead, CyberCX
12:20PM
Industry Insights

Zero trust: A new era in government security

12:20 PM - 12:40 PM (20 mins)

12:40PM
Keynote

The silent threat: How legacy IT systems are opening the backdoor to cyber criminals

12:40 PM - 1:00 PM (20 mins)

Jonathan Wilkins Chief Information Security Officer, Ministry for Primary Industries

  • The challenge of outdated infrastructure in local and state governments.
  • Case studies on successful legacy system modernisation.
  • Risk-based strategies for prioritising system upgrades.
1:00PM

Lunch and Networking

1:00 PM - 2:10 PM (70 mins)

2:10PM
Roundtables

Interactive roundtable discussions

2:10 PM - 3:10 PM (60 mins)

3:10PM
Keynote

A scalable framework to improve AI governance and operational resilience

3:10 PM - 3:30 PM (20 mins)

Adwin Singh Cyber Security D/L - CISO Office, Inland Revenue

  • Governance: Policies and frameworks for responsible AI use.
  • Technology: Infrastructure and tools supporting resilient AI deployment.
  • Data: Quality, security, and management of data used in AI systems.
  • People: Workforce skills, training, and cultural readiness for AI adoption.
  • Ethics and Risk Management: Addressing ethical concerns, bias, and cybersecurity.
3:30PM
Panel discussion

Ethics in AI-driven government security: Navigating privacy, bias and risks

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM (30 mins)

Derek Robson Chief Information Security Officer, New Zealand Parliament

  • Ensuring responsible use of AI in law enforcement and cybersecurity.
  • Case studies on the unintended consequences of AI-driven threat detection.
  • Striking the right balance between security, transparency, and civil liberties.
4:00PM
Industry Insights

Closing remarks from chair

4:00 PM - 4:10 PM (10 mins)

4:20PM

Networking drinks

4:20 PM - 5:20 PM (60 mins)

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