Aspire CyberFest Programme
- Date: Tuesday 26 September 2023
- Time: 9:00-17:00 (with drinks reception to follow).
- Venue: The Barracks, St. James’ Park, Newcastle upon Tyne (Click here for directions).
9:00 – 9:30
REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST
Reception / The Barracks
Reception / The Barracks
9:30 – 9:45
Welcome and Opening Address
Chris Fraser, CEO at Aspire
Chris Fraser, CEO at Aspire
9:45 – 10:10
Paradigm shifts in Cyber Security and Relevance to the UK CNI (Critical National Infrastructure)
Dr Alex Baxendale , Vice President Consulting Expert at CGI
Dr Alex Baxendale , Vice President Consulting Expert at CGI
The realm of cyber security has undergone multiple paradigm shifts, due to ongoing conflicts between the threat actors who threaten digital systems, and those who protect them. With the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the impact of new and emerging technologies is fundamentally changing society; this transformation will inevitably impact how we deal with cyber risks.
Dr. Alex Baxendale, Vice President Consulting Expert at global IT and business consultancy CGI, will delve into an upcoming ‘discontinuity’, where the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) faces vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities arise from managing legacy systems, planning for future infrastructure, dealing with increased connections, and facing advanced threats. What changes will occur? What opportunities will they bring? And how will this affect the CNI? Dr. Alex Baxendale will discuss!
10:10 – 10:35
Top 10 Practices for Zero Trust Security
Jaspal Virdee, Principal Solutions Architect EMEA at Extreme Networks
Jaspal Virdee, Principal Solutions Architect EMEA at Extreme Networks
In an increasingly interconnected digital world, a robust security strategy is essential for safeguarding businesses against a multitude of cyber threats. In this session, Jaspal Virdee, Principal Solutions Architect at Extreme Networks—a leader in cloud networking solutions—will explore top 10 practices for Zero Trust Security. With a focus on the practical creation of a strong security foundation, delegates will gain insights into adopting a holistic approach to security, developing a comprehensive security ecosystem, and strategically reducing the attack surface of their businesses. The session will delve into the interplay between people, processes, and technology to showcase how a coordinated approach can yield a robust security ecosystem.
10:35 – 11:00
Cyber Incident Response Case Study:
Unveiling Effective Strategies to Enhance Capabilities
Adam Veitch, Product Lead at Aspire
Michael Lamb, Incident Response Lead at Aspire
Unveiling Effective Strategies to Enhance Capabilities
Adam Veitch, Product Lead at Aspire
Michael Lamb, Incident Response Lead at Aspire
Join Aspire’s cyber experts as they explore a real-life case study on cyber incident response within the aviation industry. The session will walk through the timeline of events, providing an analysis of the valuable lessons learned and exploring strategies for mitigating the impact. By emphasising practical insights into containment efforts and incident management protocols, this session will outline the essential stages of effective cyber incident response, and equip you with actionable takeaways to enhance your organisation’s cyber incident response capabilities.
11:00 – 11:30
MID MORNING BREAK
The Barracks
The Barracks
11:35 – 12:00
Interacting with Threat Actors:
The Legal Framework and the Impact of AI
Andy Parsons, Partner at Womble Bond Dickinson
The Legal Framework and the Impact of AI
Andy Parsons, Partner at Womble Bond Dickinson
In today’s interconnected world, cyber threats have become a constant concern for businesses and individuals. Interactions with threat actors, whether through communication or ransom negotiations, raise significant legal and ethical issues. Moreover, with the increasing adoption of AI, there is a growing concern about its potential impact on exfiltrated data exploitation and how it may reshape the way we deal with threat actors. Join Andy Parsons, Partner at Womble Bond Dickinson as he delves into the legal, ethical and AI landscape of ransom negotiations.
12:00 – 12:25
Managing Your Exposure In The Age Of Digital Transformation
Sanara Marsh, Security Evangelist at Randori, an IBM Company
Sanara Marsh, Security Evangelist at Randori, an IBM Company
The integration of threat intelligence, attack surface and vulnerability management into Threat Management Programs aiming to establish visibility, detection, investigation and response, are becoming more complex as infrastructure and workforces expand and adapt. This not only makes threat management more challenging, but can also dramatically increase our exposure to attack.
So how can we do a better job of proactively understanding and reducing the risks and exposures associated with this disparate environment, while simultaneously reducing the stress on our threat management systems and teams? Sanara Marsh, Security Evangelist at Randori, an IBM Company will discuss.
12:25 – 13:00
KEYNOTE SESSION: Cyber Crime & Cyber Criminals
Charlie McMurdie, Former head of Police National Cyber Crime Unit
Charlie McMurdie, Former head of Police National Cyber Crime Unit
By drawing upon real-life operational experiences, Charlie McMurdie will delve into the realm of cyber threats, providing valuable insights into the practical and strategic nature of security precautions that are required now and in the future. From the exploits of hackers targeting governments, banks, and retailers, to the activities of organised criminals siphoning off personal information, and the shadowy world of dark markets that facilitate cyber trade, Charlie will shed light on existing cyber risks, anticipate forthcoming global threats, and explain how and why every organisation, regardless of size or industry, runs the risk of falling victim to escalating Ransomware, DDoS attacks, and data breaches.
13:00 – 14:00
LUNCH
The Barracks
The Barracks
14:00 – 14:10
Welcome and Afternoon Address
Phil Jackman, Director at CyberNorth
Phil Jackman, Director at CyberNorth
14:10 – 14:45
KEYNOTE SESSION: Revolutionising Cyber Security: AI and Machine Learning – Friend or Foe?
Sarah Armstrong-Smith, Chief Security Advisor for Europe at Microsoft
Sarah Armstrong-Smith, Chief Security Advisor for Europe at Microsoft
Sarah Armstrong-Smith will explore the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) on cyber security practices, showcasing how technology can transform organisations’ resilience against emerging threats. Drawing from her extensive expertise, Sarah will provide valuable insights into harnessing the power of AI and ML to enhance threat detection, incident response, and proactive defences. Prepare to gain a deeper understanding of the transformative potential of AI and ML, and their pivotal role in shaping the future of cyber security.
14:45 – 15:10
Do Sweat the Small Stuff: How Small Mistakes Can Lead to Big Breaches
Bob McKay, Operations Director at Aspire
Bob McKay, Operations Director at Aspire
Bob McKay, Aspire’s Operations Director will present a practical demonstration illustrating how seemingly unsophisticated hackers can compromise a company’s IT systems using freely available tools and basic intelligence gathering. Bob will provide a walk through of a penetration test to demonstrate the techniques attackers can use to prepare for an attack, showcasing how simple gaps in the security perimeter can be exploited, ultimately leading to unauthorised access to company ‘crown jewels’.
15:10 – 15:40
AFTERNOON BREAK
The Barracks
The Barracks
15:40 – 16:05
Democratising Security Through AI
John Lester, Senior Engineering Manager at CrowdStrike
John Lester, Senior Engineering Manager at CrowdStrike
Join CrowdStrike’s John Lester as he explores the synergy between generative AI and security. CrowdStrike’s market leading expertise will take centre stage, illustrating how generative AI is democratising security accessibility. Discover the groundbreaking innovation—Charlotte AI— a specialised AI security analyst developed by CrowdStrike. This solution is designed to help organisations improve their ability to stop breaches while simplifying the intricacies of security operations. This session will offer an insightful glimpse into the practical applications of generative AI in the security landscape.
16:05 – 16:30
Enhancing Security in IoT and Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS)
Mujeeb Ahmed, Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security at the Newcastle University
Mujeeb Ahmed, Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security at the Newcastle University
In this session, Mujeeb Ahmed, Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security at Newcastle University, will explore strategic research and development opportunities for 21st-century CPS, emphasising the importance of threat intelligence, testbeds, and datasets in mitigating security risks. Mujeeb will delve into the role of AI in bolstering security, showcasing its potential in threat detection and response. Discover insights into ongoing and future university projects dedicated to IoT security and CPS ecosystems in an interconnected world.
16:30 – 17:15
Expert Panel Session
Q&A Panel Session: Engage with our Expert Speakers
Q&A Panel Session: Engage with our Expert Speakers
Dive into a dynamic panel discussion featuring our event experts.
Hosted by
Annabel Berry, CEO at Ladies Hacking Society / CyberNorth Chair
Chris Fraser, CEO at Aspire
Panellists:
Jaspal Virdee, Principal Solution Architect at Extreme Networks
Andrew Parsons, Partner at Womble Bond Dickinson
Sanara Marsh, Security Evangelist at Randori, an IBM Company
John Lester, Senior Engineering Manager at CrowdStrike
Bob Mckay, Operations Director at Aspire
Delegates have the chance to submit questions on the day. You ask, they answer – live on Slido!
17:15 – 19:00
DRINKS RECEPTION
The Barracks
The Barracks