Melbourne Data Protection and Security Summit 2024

Audience

The 106 strong audience included:

• Chiefs from Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Cancer Council Victoria and more
• Heads from Diversa Trustees, ANZ, Australian Unity and more
• Senior Managers from David Jones, Telstra, EquipSuper and more

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The Agenda

The event begins with an opening keynote by Paul Kallenbach, Partner at MinterEllison, who discusses the implications of Australia’s reformed Data Privacy Act for data protection and security leaders. He covers how the reforms reshape compliance requirements, enhance consumer rights, and demand heightened accountability from organisations, offering strategies to navigate these changes effectively in the digital landscape.

Following this, a panel featuring Owais Syed, Vasant Prabhu, and Alison Stretch examines "Sensitive Data Discovery and Access Control." They delve into effective methods for identifying sensitive data across various repositories, key considerations for implementing access controls, the support provided by data governance frameworks, and balancing stringent security measures with necessary business access.

An innovation keynote by Joshua Orren Hermawan from Synology addresses "A Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Strategy: Defending Against Rising Cyber Threats." He explores patterns of ransomware attacks and presents strategies for bolstering resilience through proactive data backup, emphasising data integrity, self-healing technologies, and seamless restoration processes.

After a guest keynote, Dr. Greg Adamson, Chief Information Security Officer at the Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, presents on "Is AI Emerging As Our Next Line Of Defence?" He discusses AI's role in cyber defense, leveraging predictive analytics for threat intelligence, enhancing incident response with AI automation, and best practices for integrating AI into cybersecurity strategies.

Participants then engage in roundtable discussions on topics such as comprehensive data visibility, securing data while meeting regulatory compliance, ransomware response strategies, balancing data sharing with security, and ownership of privacy as information moves through businesses.

In the afternoon, Patrick McQuaid, Group Owner of Data Protection and Privacy at Telstra, discusses "Securing the Future: Telco's Roadmap for Enhanced Data Protection." He explores trends like AI and automation, internal practices for ensuring data privacy and security, and how Telstra adapts to stay ahead of regulatory requirements.

The event concludes with a closing panel titled "Guardians of Data: Navigating Privacy in a Connected World," featuring Marion Hemphill, Paul Davies, and Paul Kallenbach. They discuss data ethics in the digital age, balancing privacy with innovation, empowering data literacy, and anticipating future challenges such as quantum computing and AI-driven data analysis to ensure robust protection mechanisms are in place.

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Speakers Included:

• Paul Kallenbach, Partner, MinterEllison
• Owais Syed, Senior Information Security and Risk Assurance Lead, Australian Government
• Vasant Prabhu, Global Data Protection Lead, Toll Group
• Alison Stretch, Senior Security Practitioner
• Tim Roughton, Country Manager, Australia and New Zealand, BigID
• Joshua Orren Hermawan, Country Manager A/NZ, Synology
• Dr. Greg Adamson, Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Transport and Planning Victoria
• Patrick McQuaid, Group Owner Data Protection and Privacy, Telstra
• Marion Hemphill, General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
• Paul Davies, Head of Privacy Risk, ANZ
• Paul Kallenbach, Partner, MinterEllison

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Sponsors Included:

Synology

Ground Labs

Cohesity

BigID

Fortanix

Netwrix

Data Masque

Forcepoint

Varonis
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Summary

This summit was particularly important for the contemporary and future Australian business and government landscape because it addressed the escalating concerns around data breaches, privacy, and the security of sensitive information. As Australia continues to embrace digital transformation, the protection of data has become a top priority to maintain public trust, comply with regulations, and prevent financial and reputational damage. The insights and collaborations formed at the Melbourne Data Protection and Security Summit  are expected to influence national policies, enhance organisational practices, and strengthen Australia's overall cybersecurity resilience.

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Testimonials

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• Fabulous content, and excellent program. thank you for finding some very competent and diverse speakers that provided great informed content
• The content was fantastic. I particularly liked the keynote on upcoming Data & AI legislation, and the keynote on AI as next line of defence
• Liked the mix of activity styles. Pace was great
• All keynotes, panels and fireside chats were excellent. The MC was brilliant

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