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Government Cyber Security Showcase Western Australia
Thursday, 21 Aug 2025
8:00AM
Registration and Networking Coffee
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM (45 mins)
8:45AM
Interactive
Opening from Public Sector Network
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM (15 mins)
9:00AM
Industry Insights
Chair Opening
9:00 AM - 9:10 AM (10 mins)
Jacqui Kernot
Vice-President, Cybersecurity Services, Thales Cyber Solutions
9:10AM
Ministerial Address
Ministerial Address
9:10 AM - 9:20 AM (10 mins)
9:20AM
Keynote
The role of innovation in advancing WA’s cybersecurity posture
9:20 AM - 9:40 AM (20 mins)
Peter Gigengack
Director Cyber Security, Office of Digital Government WA
- How emerging technologies are enhancing WA's ability to predict, detect, and respond to cyber threats more effectively.
- The importance of fostering partnerships to drive cybersecurity innovation, ensuring WA remains resilient against evolving threats.
- Continuous skills development and innovation in cybersecurity training to ensure WA's workforce is equipped with the expertise to tackle future challenges.
9:40AM
Industry Insights
Addressing the growing need for robust data protection strategies
9:40 AM - 10:00 AM (20 mins)
10:00AM
Panel discussion
Overcoming unique cybersecurity challenges in rural and remote communities
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM (30 mins)
Shikha Sharma
Chief Information Officer, Department of Human Services
Helen McLeish
Chief Cybersecurity Officer, East Metropolitan Health Service WA
- Addressing limited connectivity and infrastructure to help bridge the digital divide to improve cybersecurity capabilities.
- Tailoring cybersecurity solutions to local needs.
- The need for targeted cybersecurity education and outreach programs to raise awareness in rural areas, helping communities understand the risks and build trust in cybersecurity practices and technologies.
- Enhancing collaboration and support networks
10:30AM
Morning Tea and Networking
10:30 AM - 11:10 AM (40 mins)
11:10AM
Fireside Chat
Protecting citizen data: New WA privacy and security frameworks
11:10 AM - 11:30 AM (20 mins)
- Key provisions of Western Australia's new privacy and security frameworks.
- Balancing innovation with privacy to support the responsible use of emerging technologies while safeguarding citizens' privacy, ensuring that data security measures are built into digital solutions from the ground up.
- The importance of robust enforcement mechanisms and compliance with these new frameworks to foster public trust, ensuring that Western Australians feel secure in how their personal data is handled.
Dr Liming Zhu
Research Director, CSIRO’s Data 61
Helge Janicke
Professor Cyber Security, Edith Cowan University
Sonya Sherman
Principal Policy Officer (Data and Analytics), Office of Digital Government, Department of Premier and Cabinet WA
11:30AM
Industry Insights
Discussing best practices and tools for securing cloud services
11:30 AM - 11:50 AM (20 mins)
11:50AM
Panel discussion
The role of AI in cyber – how government organisations will integrate futuristic technologies
11:50 AM - 12:20 PM (30 mins)
- Enhancing threat detection with AI to respond to potential cyber threats faster and more accurately than traditional methods.
- Utilising the potential of AI-driven automation to streamline incident response, enabling government organisations to quickly neutralise threats, reduce response times, and minimise the impact of cyberattacks.
- How AI can help government agencies anticipate and prepare for emerging cyber risks, strengthening proactive defence strategies and reducing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
- The importance of ethical considerations when integrating AI into government cybersecurity frameworks, ensuring that AI technologies are used responsibly, transparently, and in compliance with privacy and security regulations.
John Edwards
Director Cyber Security (Technical), Department of Premier and Cabinet WA
Helge Janicke
Professor Cyber Security, Edith Cowan University
Rebecca Howard
Senior Manager - Product Security, Office of Digital Government WA
12:10PM
Industry Insights
Training and upskilling government employees to recognise, respond to, and prevent cyber threats, with a focus on building a culture of cyber awareness.
12:10 PM - 12:30 PM (20 mins)
12:50PM
Keynote
Cyber-resilience, fostering skills development and supporting diversity
12:50 PM - 1:10 PM (20 mins)
Stephen Woods
Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Justice WA
- Building a cyber-resilient workforce through training and education.
- Encouraging diversity in cybersecurity roles.
- Collaborative programs to support skill development and inclusion.
1:10AM
Lunch and Networking
1:10 AM - 2:20 AM (70 mins)
2:20AM
Roundtables
Interactive roundtable discussions
2:20 AM - 3:20 AM (60 mins)
3:20AM
Keynote
Enhancing Law Enforcement Cybersecurity: Safeguarding WA Police Data in the Age of Digital Threats
3:20 AM - 3:40 AM (20 mins)
Mark Barratt
Chief Information Security Officer, WA Police Force
- Strategies for safeguarding WA Police Force systems and networks from evolving cyber threats, focusing on the importance of securing sensitive law enforcement data.
- Building partnerships between government agencies, private sectors, and global cybersecurity communities to improve the detection and mitigation of cyber threats.
- Developing robust cyber incident response strategies to quickly address breaches, minimise downtime, and maintain public trust in law enforcement systems.
3:40AM
Panel discussion
Creating a Cyber-Resilient Public Sector - Collaborative discussion on priorities for 2025 and beyond
3:40 AM - 4:10 AM (30 mins)
- Cultivating WA’s cyber economy and strategic partnerships.
- Leveraging the ecosystem’s expertise and aligning strategies – taking the most effective approach to collaboration and partnerships.
- Sense-checking best approaches to growing local capability, supporting industry maturity and fostering investment opportunities.
- Supporting local cyber businesses and start-ups to develop and up-scale.
Karen Owens
Chief Information Security Officer, Insurance Commission of Western Australia
Demogene Smith
Chief Information Officer, South Metropolitan Health Service
Prashant Singh
Cyber Security Manager, Department of Education, Western Australia
4:10AM
Industry Insights
Closing remarks from chair
4:10 AM - 4:20 AM (10 mins)
4:20AM
Networking drinks
4:20 AM - 5:20 AM (60 mins)
