Executive Summit

This exclusive gathering offers a relaxed setting to connect with fellow CIOs and CISOs ahead of the main event. It’s designed to foster meaningful peer conversations—no formal sit-down dinner, just great food, wine, and engaging dialogue.

It is held from 18:00-21:00 at Zeta Bar, on level 4 of the Hilton Sydney.

 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 CIOs and 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

CIOs and CISOs wanting to communicate their initiatives' relevance and impact on wider outcomes must shift the focus of conversations with boards, executive teams, and oversight bodies from what IT does (technical inputs and outputs) to how IT delivers real value to stakeholders’ organisational priorities. But with conflicting priorities, evolving tech capabilities, and ongoing change management, delivering a coherent story with impact is tough.

Join this session to discuss:

• Building coherent narratives around IT spend, and it’s impact to deliver value and business growth
• Key metrics that focus on business outcomes, rather than technology itself
• Crafting and telling an impactful business value story to increase influence

Cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated and pervasive, making conventional risk management approaches inadequate. AI/ML and threat intelligence have the potential to transform how organizations handle cyber threats, as well as extending into areas such as TPRM, security analytics, and more . Leveraging key insights can help CISOs stay ahead of evolving risks and enhance security programs, even with limited resources.

Join this session to discuss:

• Practical strategies for leveraging threat intelligence in cyber risk management
• Critical alignment of people and process elements with advanced technologies
• Acting on useful insights and data to manage cyber risk

IT leaders are navigating a period of constant change. The evolving role of the CIO requires stronger alignment with the C-suite and the ability to operate at a faster pace. As organisations adapt, IT leaders must drive strategic partnerships, build resilient technology platforms, and promote a culture of agility and innovation.

Join to discuss how to:

• Accelerate business transformation and organisational agility
• Align IT with business objectives and the C-suite
• Lead IT at the new speed of business, using recent lessons to prepare for what’s next

Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

Cybersecurity incidents are no longer a question of “if” but “when.” In today’s interconnected digital environment, tech leaders must evolve beyond reactive defense to proactive resilience. In this fireside chat-style session, you'll explore:

• Cybersecurity’s evolving role in enabling business resiliency
• Enhance recoverability, manage risk and leverage emerging technologies
• Framing cybersecurity through a risk and investment lens to drive strategic and talent outcomes and secure board collaboration

CISOs face unprecedented challenges as evolving threats, including those posed by GenAI, rapidly increase enterprise risk. While new technologies offer defences, they also introduce vulnerabilities. A cyber-ready workforce is crucial for organisational resilience, but how do you equip your organisation to face the future of threats with confidence?

Join this interactive boardroom to discuss:

• Acting decisively under pressure to manage and mitigate threats
• Maintaining stakeholder confidence and protecting reputation during disruptions
• Sharing threat intelligence and preparing for long-term attack consequences

Traditional strategic planning is no longer effective in a world shaped by rapid change, market turbulence and geopolitical uncertainty. Instead, CIOs must adopt resilient IT operating models that enable real-time adaptation and continuous alignment with shifting global realities.

Join this interactive boardroom to discuss how to:

• Implement adaptive IT operating models to respond quickly to uncertainty and rapid change
• Build resilience through scalable, secure and automated infrastructure
• Foster a culture of agility, collaboration and proactive risk management

CIOs are uniquely positioned to lead digital business initiatives and champion change across the C-suite. By integrating technology with business strategy and engaging executive peers early, CIOs can accelerate innovation, scale transformation and maximise the value of technology investments.

Key takeaways include:

• Aligning technology and business objectives through C-suite co-leadership to drive digital success
• Prioritising formal change management early to increase adoption, utilisation and speed-to-value
• Leading the organisation in fostering a culture of innovation, accountability and enterprise-wide growth