Indo-Pacific State of Cyber Series 2026 - MySecurity Marketplace

RISK & CONTROLS | CYBER SECURITY | INTELLIGENCE & COUNTER INTELLIGENCE | ELECTRONICS | ANALYTICS | TECHNICAL DESIGN

Presents

ADVANCEMENTS & APPLICATIONS FOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION & HIGH SECURITY ENVIRONMENTS

Corresponding series

Partnering with:

CMMC & CYBER MATURITY

1

Meet the Speakers

STATE OF CYBERSECURITY

2

Meet the Speakers

State of Digital Trust

3

Meet the Speakers

State of AI

4

Meet the Speakers

2026 Series Speakers

Speakers are listed in alphabetical order by surname.

Jacky

Jacky Aw

BoD
ISACA - MALAYSIA CHAPTER

Bharat Bajaj2_1

Bharat Bajaj

Professional Development Director ISACA
MELBOURNE BOARD DIRECTOR

Speaker_0008_Jon-Brandt

Jonathan Brandt

Senior Director of Professional Practices and Innovation
ISACA

Todd Gagnon2

Todd Gagnon

Director, CMMC Assessor and CAICO
ISACA

Chirag Joshi_1

Chirag Joshi

Founder and CEO
7 RULES CYBER
ISACA - SYDNEY CHAPTER

Ajay

Ajay Kumar

Industry Outreach Director
ISACA - SINGAPORE CHAPTER

Speaker_0006_Ron-Lear

Ron Lear

Vice President, Frameworks and Models
ISACA

Speaker_0007_Jenai-Marinkovic

Jenai Marinkovic

Member ISACA Emerging Trends Working Group and CEO
GRCIE

Jamie Norton_1

Jamie Norton

Vice Chair
ISACA BOARD MEMBER

Evan Rowse_1

Evan Rowse

GRC Subject Matter Expert
VANTA

Speaker_0002_Jo-Stewart-Rattray

Jo Stewart Rattray

Oceania Ambassador
ISACA

Zeynep Soylu

Zeynep T Soylu

Immediate Past President
ISACA SYDNEY CHAPTER

Sandeep Taileng

Sandeep Taileng

Global Speaker I Co-Chair for Information Access and Protection requirements

Jason Wood_1

Jason Wood

Auckland Chapter
ISACA

More speakers to be announced soon

NEXT EPISODE will be announced soon

NATIONAL partners

SERIES & session Sponsors

INDUSTRY knowledge partners

Virtual session (EVENT HELD)

6

WHEN LEGACY SYSTEMS UNDERMINE MODERN DEFENCES

FROM DESIGN TO DEPLOYMENT: SECURING WHAT MATTERS MOST

Security isn’t just sensors and screens – it’s a discipline of design.

True physical security begins well before installation. It’s defined in early planning, shaped by procurement, and preserved through governance, maintenance, and user behaviour.

But too often, in the rush to upgrade electronics, deploy bollards, or adopt CEPTED strategies, one of the most critical components is left behind: the master key system.

Untracked keys, ageing hierarchies, expired patents – these silent vulnerabilities can undermine even the most modern security investment. A forgotten key can defeat a million-dollar system.

Join leaders in government, infrastructure, and physical security for a strategic webinar hosted by Chris Cubbage (MySecurity Media), featuring:

Greg Warren, SCEC and Protective Security National Lead, KBR
Gary Shaw, General Manager, Ruswin Integrated Security Systems
George Dionisopoulos, CEO, GRC4 Consulting and chair of ASIS International NSW chapter, formally Head of Security at NextDC
Jim Fisher, General Manager, ASI Locksmiths and former President of the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia
Geoff Plummer, Executive Business Manager, Davcor

This session will distil decades of experience into a practical and often confronting conversation about the forgotten side of physical security—key systems, hierarchy control, and mechanical access that is too often assumed secure… until it isn’t.

Panel Speakers:

Gary Shaw

General Manager, Ruswin

Geoff Plummer

Executive Business Manager, Davcor

George Dionisopoulos

Former Head of Security Next DC,
CEO at GRC4

Greg Warren

SCEC and Protective Security National Lead, KBR

Jim Fisher

General Manager, ASI Locksmiths and former President of the MLAA

Jeannie Marie Paterson

Professor of Law | Centre for AI and Digital Ethics (CAIDE) - Co-Director | The University of Melbourne

Jeannie’s teaching and research focuses on consumer and data protection law in the context of emerging digital technologies, including issues of fairness, privacy, transparency, security and existential risk in the emergence of AI.

Her current projects centre on digital mental health, generative AI in legal decision-making, and legal responses to deep fake fraud, under the theme of misleading AI.

Jeannie has a track record of consultation and collaboration with government, industry, regulators and community legal centres, as well as being a regular media commentator. She has consulted on legal and regulatory reform to ASEAN, the Banking and Financial Services Royal Commissions, the Productivity Commission, the Australian Law Reform Commission, Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department, Commonwealth Treasury, and ASIC.

Jeannie is an affiliate researcher with the Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making and Society, as well as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law. Jeannie is currently a member of the Commonwealth Government’s temporary AI expert group.

Sandeep Taileng

Global Speaker I Co Chair for Information Access and Protection requirements

Sandeep Taileng is a leading cybersecurity expert, currently serving as Information Security Leader at State Trustees, where he leverages over 20 years of experience in navigating complex technology risks. Renowned for his proactive approach to risk management and exceptional stakeholder engagement, Sandeep has earned multiple accolades, including recognition as a top 50 Australian CISO. His expertise spans diverse industries, from critical infrastructure to finance, and he actively contributes to academic and standards bodies. Beyond his professional achievements, Sandeep is a sought-after speaker at industry events and holds honorary academic positions, solidifying his position as a driving force in the cybersecurity landscape.

Bharat Bajaj CISM, CISA, CDPSE

ISACA Melbourne Board Director Certification Director

Bharat is a highly accomplished Technology Risk leader with two decades of experience navigating the complex landscapes of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, and Privacy. He has partnered with three of the “Big Four” Australian banks, spearheading large-scale transformative projects and architecting robust technology risk mitigation strategies that demonstrably safeguard operations, enabling customer objectives. His approach blends deep industry expertise with incisive strategic thinking, consistently delivering tangible business value.

Currently at the forefront of the bank’s adoption of cutting-edge technologies, he is instrumental in the implementation and governance of Machine Learning, Generative AI, and AI Agentic systems. His responsibilities encompass the identification of technology risks and evolving compliance requirements, coupled with the development and implementation of comprehensive guardrails.

Daisy Wong

Head of Security Awareness. Medibank | Sponsorship Manager, Australian Women in Security Network

Daisy is a results focused, energetic and driven project and operations leader offering eight years’ combined experience in leadership, project and resource management and change management positions within the IT and Finance industries. Consistently delivering the highest levels of service to the businesses, vendors and stakeholders she works with, whilst steadily achieving business goals, ensuring seamless project delivery that meets deliverables. Her excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and passion for working with people, along with an ability to recruit, develop and lead high performing teams have been instrumental in her career growth.

Securing critical infrastructure at scale

5

Integrating vulnerability response into service delivery

Meet the expert panel:

more speakers to be announced

INDUSTRY NETWORKING EVENT

4

REQUIREMENTS AND IMPLICATIONS ON THE
PRIVATE SECURITY SECTOR IN A PHASE OF MULTI-REGION CONFLICT

National Security Applications and Advancements in Robotics and AI

Keynote Speaker:

Drone and Satellite Swarm Applications: AI-powered drone and satellite swarms delivering real-time insights for mission-critical applications

Preetham Akula

Founder and CEO, Akula Tech

Preetham Akula is the founder and CEO of Akula Tech, an Australian aerospace innovator transforming satellite technology. With a background in aerospace engineering, he identified inefficiencies in traditional satellite systems and launched Akula Tech in 2022 to address them. His vision centers on AI-powered, software-defined smart satellites capable of on-board data processing, enabling real-time insights for critical applications. Preetham aims to make satellite data directly accessible to the public via smartphones, revolutionising how satellite technology is utilised globally. His leadership has been recognised with national awards and industry acclaim for advancing sovereign innovation.

Akula Tech

Founded in 2022, Akula Tech is an Australian sovereign industry leader in AI-powered space and defence technology. The company is revolutionising satellite systems through AI-powered, software-defined smart satellites that process data directly in orbit, delivering real-time insights for disaster response, security, and environmental monitoring. Its innovations include reconfigurable satellites and autonomous swarming capabilities, enhancing adaptability and mission efficiency. Akula Tech has drastically reduced satellite production timelines from years to months—bringing faster, more responsive solutions to complex global challenges. The company’s vision is to become a billion-dollar enterprise within five to eight years, shaping the future of sovereign space capability.

INSIGHT SESSION - ORGANISED CRIME & TECHNOLOGY

Keith Bulfin

CEO - Dunedin Capital Markets and Monitors Foundation

Keith Bulfin is a former investment banker who transitioned into one of the most dangerous roles imaginable—an undercover agent for the DEA, FBI, and CIA. Over a career spanning more than two decades, Keith has worked with some of the world’s most prominent law enforcement agencies, earning a reputation as one of the leading experts in money laundering and financial crime. Keith’s unique background combines deep financial knowledge with real-world experiences in the fight against global crime. His stories of infiltrating cartels, combating terrorism, and rescuing trafficking victims provide not only entertainment but also critical insights into some of the most pressing issues facing the world today.

PANEL SESSION

National & Cyber Security Considerations to Advancements in Robotics and AI

Panel Speakers:

Jeannie Marie Paterson

Professor of Law | Centre for AI and Digital Ethics (CAIDE) - Co-Director | The University of Melbourne

Sandeep Taileng

Global Speaker I Co-Chair for Information Access and Protection requirements

Bharat Bajaj CISM, CISA, CDPSE

ISACA Melbourne Board Director Certification Director

Daisy Wong

Head of Security Awareness. Banking Sector | Sponsorship Manager, Australian Women in Security Network

Jeannie Marie Paterson

Professor of Law | Centre for AI and Digital Ethics (CAIDE) - Co-Director | The University of Melbourne

Jeannie’s teaching and research focuses on consumer and data protection law in the context of emerging digital technologies, including issues of fairness, privacy, transparency, security and existential risk in the emergence of AI.

Her current projects centre on digital mental health, generative AI in legal decision-making, and legal responses to deep fake fraud, under the theme of misleading AI.

Jeannie has a track record of consultation and collaboration with government, industry, regulators and community legal centres, as well as being a regular media commentator. She has consulted on legal and regulatory reform to ASEAN, the Banking and Financial Services Royal Commissions, the Productivity Commission, the Australian Law Reform Commission, Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department, Commonwealth Treasury, and ASIC.

Jeannie is an affiliate researcher with the Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making and Society, as well as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law. Jeannie is currently a member of the Commonwealth Government’s temporary AI expert group.

Sandeep Taileng

Global Speaker I Co Chair for Information Access and Protection requirements

Sandeep Taileng is a leading cybersecurity expert, currently serving as Information Security Leader at State Trustees, where he leverages over 20 years of experience in navigating complex technology risks. Renowned for his proactive approach to risk management and exceptional stakeholder engagement, Sandeep has earned multiple accolades, including recognition as a top 50 Australian CISO. His expertise spans diverse industries, from critical infrastructure to finance, and he actively contributes to academic and standards bodies. Beyond his professional achievements, Sandeep is a sought-after speaker at industry events and holds honorary academic positions, solidifying his position as a driving force in the cybersecurity landscape.

Bharat Bajaj CISM, CISA, CDPSE

ISACA Melbourne Board Director Certification Director

Bharat is a highly accomplished Technology Risk leader with two decades of experience navigating the complex landscapes of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, and Privacy. He has partnered with three of the “Big Four” Australian banks, spearheading large-scale transformative projects and architecting robust technology risk mitigation strategies that demonstrably safeguard operations, enabling customer objectives. His approach blends deep industry expertise with incisive strategic thinking, consistently delivering tangible business value.

Currently at the forefront of the bank’s adoption of cutting-edge technologies, he is instrumental in the implementation and governance of Machine Learning, Generative AI, and AI Agentic systems. His responsibilities encompass the identification of technology risks and evolving compliance requirements, coupled with the development and implementation of comprehensive guardrails.

Daisy Wong

Head of Security Awareness. Medibank | Sponsorship Manager, Australian Women in Security Network

Daisy is a results focused, energetic and driven project and operations leader offering eight years’ combined experience in leadership, project and resource management and change management positions within the IT and Finance industries. Consistently delivering the highest levels of service to the businesses, vendors and stakeholders she works with, whilst steadily achieving business goals, ensuring seamless project delivery that meets deliverables. Her excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and passion for working with people, along with an ability to recruit, develop and lead high performing teams have been instrumental in her career growth.

Maritime Domain Awareness

1

Securing our seas: Innovations and challenges

Meet the expert panel:

Connecting & protecting in the age of AI

2

Session sponsor

MEET THE SPEAKERS

Carl Solder

CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER - CISCO AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

Carl Solder currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer for Australia & New Zealand (ANZ).

Prior to this role, Carl was Cisco’s Vice President of Engineering for the Enterprise Networking and Cloud Engineering organisation at Cisco HQ in San Jose, California. In this role he was responsible for Technical Strategy for the Enterprise Network and Cloud portfolio. His portfolio included the Catalyst Routing, Switching and Wireless platforms, the Intent Based Networking Software Innovations around Automation, Assurance, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence as well as the Policy, Identity and Segmentation Software
solutions that include Cisco’s Identity Services Engine (ISE).

Through his time at Cisco, Carl has also held various Engineering leadership roles in Cisco HQ San Jose and served as a Distinguished Engineer working on early developments in the area of Mass Scale Data Centre Architectures, OpenFlow and Software Defined
Networking.

With more than 35 years of technical, business and sales leadership experience in the ICT industry, Carl has a diverse ICT background that provides great insight into emerging market transitions.

David Siroky

AI ARCHITECTURE LEAD - CISCO SYSTEMS

David Siroky is the AI Architecture Lead at Cisco Systems, having held various leadership roles across the Asia Pacific. He focuses on solution architecture, collaborating with data scientists to support organizations in delivering their AI projects. His work spans diverse customers in the Asia Pacific & Japan region.

Prior to Cisco, David worked at Dell Technologies and Microsoft in Seattle, contributing to software development projects. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and business, blending technical and strategic expertise.

David is a proud father of a 17-year-old girl, an avid reader, fitness enthusiast, skier and passionate about diversity & STEM.

Chris Cubbage

Director - MYSECURITY MEDIA | MODERATOR

Chris Cubbage is a technology journalist, licensed security professional and certified information systems auditor (CISA).

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OTHER EVENTS WITHIN THIS SERIES