The country’s leading cyber experts shared their tips, insights and predictions at events in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane last week.
“We were provided with a wealth of information on what you MUST do, what you SHOULD do and what you COULD do to protect your organisation and board against a cyber attack,” said Women on Boards Chief Operating Officer Nicole Donegan, who hosted our Melbourne event at McGrathNicol on 22 February.
Nicole was joined by guest presenter Lynn Warneke, as well as McGrathNicol hosts Blare Sutton who shared his insights as well as Sue Fiedler, Ashleigh Vasta and the cyber team.
WOB Executive Director Claire Braund hosted the Sydney WOBMeet at Ansarada with guest speaker Joss Howard from McGrathNicol who talked about the importance of having a Cybersecurity Board Checklist.
“Thank you Women on Boards and Joss for a very informative session on the obligations and risks of cyber security for Boards. Such an important and relevant topic," said one attendee.
Caoimhe Fennell said the session was “extremely welcoming group to us newbies”. “A key takeaway was ensure that you are across cybersecurity risk and ensure you as a board member have it on your focus! Don’t be blind to it and the hackers are well tucked into your data before you even know they are there!”
In Brisbane, McGrathNicol cyber expert Darren Hopkins shared his advice and predictions. “The presentation was both eye-opening and eyebrow-raising regarding the sophistication and complexity of this issue and led to animated discussions about AI, regulation changes, risk profiles, ICT investment and much more. There were so many takeaways for us as directors, employers and employees,” said host, WOB Queensland representative Anna Hebron.
WOB member and attendee Karen Jaques said the presentation was insightful. ““Pertinent questions for any director developing cyber policy frameworks,” she added.
In Perth, Kylah Morrison thanked guest speaker Brendan Payne from McGrath Nicol. “Thanks again Brendan for the insightful presentation delivered with just the right amount of scare tactics, hard facts and light humour. So many people commented on how valuable the session was.”
In Adelaide, WOB’s South Australia representative Wendy Teasdale-Smith welcomed several new WOB members and guest speaker Cristina Paetsch, Director Cybersecurity & Digital Trust PwC.
“Cristina provided such down to earth and easy to understand advice. I thought her recommended takeaway - to "ask the question" - was inspired. I know I now feel more comfortable and confident to ask the questions and to keep asking them until I get the answer,” said Wendy.
We have two more WOBMeet Cybersecurity events coming up: