Executive Summit

***Invitation only*** 

With enhanced scrutiny from regulators and the board alike, it’s never been more important to stay ahead of the ever-increasing threat landscapes and breaches. Join this session to gain key insights into the top trends for CISOs in 2025 and beyond, as well as a sneak peek into Gartner’s thinking on enabling transformation and resilience in a fast-changing digital worlds. Specifically, you’ll dive into:

• Key cybersecurity trends for 2025 and beyond
• Enhancing your strategy with key insights and data on topics like Gen AI, risk management, cloud security, and more
• Exploring digital risks and resilience strategies that will be showcased at the Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit

Immediately following this session, the UK & Ireland CISO Summit will begin with a networking reception, workshop and dinner: connect with your fellow CISOs before the 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. 

Dive into an exciting session that unravels the complexities of cybersecurity decision-making, based on a groundbreaking study by University College London. Through cutting-edge research and a tailored survey, we tackle key areas like Governance & Management, Data Security Infrastructure, and Individual Behaviours. Discover diverse stakeholder perspectives and the organisational hurdles that challenge cybersecurity across industries. Your input will help shape impactful strategies for the future. Don't miss out on this opportunity to:·

• Gain exclusive feedback on survey findings
• Explore the dynamic world of cybersecurity decision-making
• Participate in an engaging segment to share your insights and experiences

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 of 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 are evolving from technical experts into strategic storytellers, becoming vital advisors to the board. This transformation is essential in a constantly shifting regulatory landscape, with new reporting requirements and a renewed focus on accountability. Join us to explore

• The art of clearly and accurately articulating the business impact of assumed risks
• Discuss competitive advantage of effective risk management.
• Keep stakeholders informed on risk and response within a complex maze of legal, privacy, and regulatory challenges

 AI is the critical differentiator in the evolving battle between hackers and defenders.  CISOs are tasked with defending against AI-powered cyberattacks that humans can't always easily identify and then finding ways to use AI-powered technologies to bolster their organizations’ defenses.

Join this session to discuss:

• The rise of AI-powered threats and responses to those attacks 
• Better detection through automated monitoring
• Improvement of analysis and context of behaviors to combat evolving threats

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 CISOs to create a holistic approach to motivation, fostering a highly motivated and engaged workforce. 

This keynote explores:

• The journey through different motivation models, synthesizing the most effective strategies
• The introduction of the SPARKS model, which ignites motivation through six intrinsic drivers
• Practical tactics, with actionable strategies to enhance motivation by aligning with individual drivers