Speakers

Colin Renouf is the CISO at Healius and a published author specializing in cloud architecture, AI, and OT security. With an aeronautical engineering background, he designs resilient, distributed cloud models for healthcare and defense. Colin is an expert in threat intelligence and ISAC integration, focusing on rapid recovery of critical infrastructure.

Peter Bouhlas is the Western Australian Government CISO and an ECU Security Research Institute board member. He established WA’s Cyber Security Operations Centre and leads whole-of-government efforts to protect public assets. Peter previously audited information systems for the Auditor General and consulted globally on ICT strategy for the World Bank.

Prashant Singh is a CSO30 award-winning leader specializing in cyber resilience and digital transformation. Formerly with the WA Police Force, he now leads security for the Department of Education. Prashant blends governance with innovation, utilizing expertise in AI, IoT, and blockchain to protect communities and enable secure growth.

Tony Jarvis is a global cyber risk advisor and Field CISO at Darktrace. With an extensive background in incident response and SOC leadership, he counsels governments and Fortune 500 boards on managing ransomware and emerging threats. A prominent media commentator and keynote speaker, Tony translates deep technical expertise into strategic business growth.

Duné Sookloll is the Cyber and Information Security Manager at Horizon Power, overseeing the protection of critical energy infrastructure across regional Western Australia. With a background in counter-terrorism and security, she leads the development of cybersecurity programs across IT and OT environments, fostering a resilient culture of continuous improvement.

Volker Rath is Cloudflare’s Field CISO for ANZ, bringing 25 years of cybersecurity expertise from AWS, Big Four firms, and telcos. A specialist in cloud security, AI risk, and governance, he serves as an executive advisor helping organizations enhance operational resilience and achieve strategic business outcomes through robust compliance management.

Dr. Chris Beggs is an OT cybersecurity specialist and founder of SIS Industrial Cyber Security. With a doctorate in cyber terrorism and 15 years’ experience, he applies his Industrial Cyber Security Principle Method™ to protect critical infrastructure. He translates complex ICS/SCADA risks into disciplined, practical strategies for both engineers and boards.

Tim Downing leads the cybersecurity function at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and has deep experience in IT operations, strategy and architecture. Tim effectively applies governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) practices and frameworks to cybersecurity programs and provides regular insights to Executive and Board audiences.

Heidi Hutchison is the Assistant Director General for the Cyber Uplift Branch at the ASD. She leads national efforts to strengthen Australia’s cybersecurity resilience. Her work focuses on providing strategic guidance and practical support to organizations, helping them defend against sophisticated threats and improve their overall security posture.

Dane Hobson is the Head of Cyber Security at Western Power. A specialist in the energy sector, he combines technical expertise with business acumen to uplift cyber and operational technology disciplines. Dane excels at translating complex challenges into executable strategies, building sustainable capabilities, and leading high-performing teams to secure critical infrastructure.

Sameera Bandara is the Head of APAC IT at Programmed, specializing in digital transformation, AI, and cybersecurity. An ASX200 veteran and Harvard-educated executive, Sameera aligns technology with business strategy. He is a GAICD member passionate about organizational psychology, transforming technology into a business enabler, and delivering award-winning security programs.

Brad Flanagan is Head of Digital Operations and Security at Essential Energy. The 2025 ITNews Energy Technology Leader of the Year specializes in IT/OT resilience, cloud, and cybersecurity. A people-focused executive, Brad excels at building high-performing teams and translating complex digital risks into clear, strategic outcomes for boards and executives.

Charles is a cybersecurity consultant with 25 years of IT engineering experience. Specializing in availability and reliability, he develops cyber resilience strategies for IT and OT environments. A subject matter expert and innovator, he advises CISOs on security operations and program development through industry leadership and media outreach.

Yusuf Denath is the Manager of Cyber Security and Acting Director of ICT at CAHS. A CISSP-certified transformational leader, he specializes in risk management and strategic solutions. Yusuf is dedicated to building high-performing teams and fostering security excellence to deliver resilient digital outcomes across the healthcare sector.

Witold Ryba is a technical expert and project manager specializing in IT/OT convergence across the oil, gas, and public sectors. With a Master’s in Project Management and multiple industry certifications, Witold excels at stakeholder engagement and delivering complex, technology-enabled solutions that integrate infrastructure with business strategy.

Penny is an accomplished digital transformation leader, overseeing innovation, automation, cybersecurity, and compliance across complex organisations. Committed to operational excellence, she balances strategic vision with practical implementation. She drives meaningful change while maintaining a strong governance and risk posture, enhancing resilience and optimising performance.

David Worthington is the General Manager of Digital Security and Risk (CISO) at Jemena. With over 20 years of experience, David specializes in security strategy and industrial control systems (ICS). He leads Jemena’s cybersecurity maturity initiatives, navigating complex regulatory landscapes like the SOCI Act to protect critical energy infrastructure

Andrew Thyrd is the Network and OT Security Manager at Sydney Airport. With over 15 years of experience and a Master of Cybersecurity, he leads the design and implementation of resilient infrastructure. Andrew leverages systems thinking and automation to solve complex problems, ensuring the safety and efficiency of Australia’s largest airport.

Innovative technology executive with experience delivering global engineering programs and leading large, high-performing teams. With a leadership style characterised by clarity, curiosity, and culture, she champions purposeful IT investment, pragmatic cyber controls, and ambitious transformation. Shana shares her insights through panels, mentoring and executive forums.

Chad Madaffari is the Manager of Cyber Security at Water Corporation. A proficient leader of high-performance teams, he specializes in designing and delivering tailored technology strategies for large enterprises. Chad is an expert at establishing operational frameworks that enhance control effectiveness and forging collaborative relationships to realize strategic cyber goals.

Ricardo da Paz is the Senior OT Cyber Security Lead and Technical Authority at Woodside Energy. A highly certified specialist (CISSP, GRID, GICSP), he has global experience securing critical infrastructure across mining, oil, and gas. Ricardo specializes in ICS/SCADA security, SOCI legislation, and functional safety, driving resilience through deep technical expertise.

Ravi Malik is the Principal Controls and OT Security Engineer at Stanwell Corporation. A specialist in critical infrastructure, he delivers complex OT security and process safety projects. With deep expertise in AESCSF and IEC62443 standards, Ravi excels at bridging IT/OT gaps to enhance performance and resilience across power and utility assets.

Kevin Lill serves as the Principal of OT Rail Optimisation at Rio Tinto. A specialist in the intersection of rail technology and operational efficiency, he drives innovation within critical transport infrastructure. His work focuses on optimizing automated systems to ensure safe, resilient, and high-performing rail operations in the resource sector.

Conrad Janerka is the Cyber Security Architect at Synergy, where he shapes practical and resilient security strategies for Western Australia’s critical energy infrastructure. He focuses on protecting essential generation and retail assets, ensuring that the state’s energy systems remain secure against evolving threats while supporting a reliable power supply.

Huon is Head of External Affairs at CI-ISAC Australia, leading government relations, policy advocacy, and strategic sector expansion. In 11 months, he achieved systematic sector penetration across 5 states/territories, securing 57 members covering 596+ hospitals and health services. He builds strategic partnerships with federal and state agencies positioning CI-ISAC as trusted infrastructure for critical infrastructure cyber resilience. Prior to CI-ISAC, Huon led Australia’s first Telecommunications Sector Resilience Profile and established policy frameworks for defence cyber skills and Indigenous participation. He holds a PhD in International Political Economy from the University of Sydney, with expertise in systemic risk and critical infrastructure resilience and is a member of the Home Affairs Supply Chain Resilience Expert Advisory Group.

Alfredo Urdaneta is a SCADA and Control Systems Specialist at Rio Tinto. He focuses on the security and reliability of utility systems within the mining sector. Alfredo’s expertise lies in protecting the operational technology that powers critical infrastructure, ensuring continuous uptime and resilience against cyber-physical threats.

Brendan Dowling is the Deputy Secretary for Critical Infrastructure and Protective Security. He leads the Australian Government’s policy and regulatory efforts to safeguard essential services. Brendan is a central figure in national security, overseeing the protection of critical infrastructure and the implementation of the 2023–2030 Cyber Security Strategy.

Michael Lagana is a specialized IT/OT professional with over 16 years of experience in cybersecurity and ICS infrastructure. A Claroty Global Principal Solution Engineer and APJ thought leader, he designs security controls for Fortune 500 companies and mentors regional engineers, leveraging deep expertise in OT protocols to protect critical infrastructure.

As the Head of Solutions Engineering at Dull, Tim Jackson leads a global team dedicated to architecting robust defense frameworks. With over 10 years of technical leadership, he specializes in bridging the gap between complex security architecture and business resilience, ensuring clients stay ahead of evolving digital threats.

Jamal Shaheed is an OT Cyber Security Engineer at Woodside Energy. A computing graduate specializing in cybersecurity, he possesses diverse expertise in incident response, zero-trust architecture, and security governance. Jamal focuses on network security and automation, combining professional rigor with a passion for tinkering with and securing complex systems.

A seasoned technology professional and Cybersecurity Business Consultant at Honeywell, I leverage over 15 years of Dell Technologies experience in IT and digital transformation. A technology optimist, I specialize in the IT/OT convergence, ensuring global customers achieve robust cybersecurity while meeting their evolving business needs through innovative technical solutions.

Dr. Junaid Chaudhry leads cybersecurity programs for the Public Transport Authority of WA. With a PhD in Cyber Security and 25 years of experience across IT, OT, and IIoT, he specializes in securing critical transit infrastructure. Junaid is also a dedicated researcher, SES volunteer, and mentor for security professionals.

John Edwards is the Chief Cyber Security Officer for East Metropolitan Health Service. He leads the strategic defense of critical healthcare information systems, focusing on protecting patient data and ensuring clinical service continuity. John is a key advocate for strengthening cyber resilience across Western Australia’s public health infrastructure.

Chris has an impressive 20 years of experience in supporting OT systems within the resource sector and most recently uses his expertise to contribute to Roy Hill’s end-to-end Rail Technology operations.

Aaron has over 20 years’ experience in cyber security and has spent the past decade in CISO roles across complex IT and OT environments, including Flinders University, Beach Energy (ASX:BPT), and Flinders Port Holdings. He specialises in large-scale cyber security transformation, helping organisations modernise access and identity controls across critical operational systems.

Steve Ingram is a seasoned cybersecurity leader with over 30 years of experience. He has held senior leadership roles at EY and PwC, advising global financial institutions. Steve brings deep expertise in cyber risk management, strategy, and advisory leadership across the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions and complex regulatory environments worldwide.

Sonu Shankar is the President and COO of Phosphorus, a leading cybersecurity firm focused on securing the Internet of Things (xloT). A seasoned Silicon Valley leader, he specialises in scaling high-growth tech companies.

Steve is a cybersecurity leader with 45+ years’ experience in military, government, and commercial sectors. Former British Cabinet Office advisor and “Godfather of Perth cyber,” he is the WA State Manager at Triskele Labs. Steve is an IRAP Assessor, ISO 27001 Auditor, and CISSP Trainer, frequently speaking at industry events and universities.