AWSN Symposium 2026

Provisional Program

Friday, 7 August 2026 

8:15 - 9:10am

Registrations Open & Networking

9:10 - 10:20am

Telstra Theatre

(Livestreamed for virtual ticket holders)

MC

Tara Dharnikota 

Chief Information Security Officer, Victoria University


Opening Address by Telstra

Narelle Devine

Global Chief Information Security Officer, Telstra


Opening Keynote from the Australian Signals Directorate

Georgina Fuller

Assistant Director General, Global Powers and Counter Cybercrime, Australian Signals Directorate


Opening Keynote from Home Affairs

Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness, CSC

National Cyber Security Coordinator, National Office of Cyber Security

10:20 - 11:00am

Telstra Theatre

(Livestreamed for virtual ticket holders)

Morning Panel Discussion

Innovation at the Intersection

Moderator: Celia Yap, Executive Director, IDAM, CyberCX

Domenica (Lee) Crognale, Senior Instructor, Cybersecurity Engineer, SANS Institute
Rhiana Cook, OT Cyber Security Architect, Secolve
Dr. Farina Riaz, Program Coordinator-IT, AIIHE
Emerald Sage, CEO, The Digital Resilience Project

11:00 - 11:30am

Break out area

Morning Tea Break

11:30am - 12:55pm

The Forum

Morning Concurrent Sessions

Option 1
How can we embed security education across Australia?

Facilitator: Elysha Padasian, Security Outreach & Customer Engagement Manager, Commonwealth Bank

Embedding digital security basics across the nation
Charlotte Davidson, Interim Chief Executive Officer, IDCARE | Leanne Swan, Cyber Trust and Safety Lead, City of Gold Coast

Bridging the knowledge gap across industries and communities
Hayley Davidson van Loon, Chief Executive Officer, Crime Stoppers International

Telstra Theatre

(Livestreamed for virtual ticket holders)
Option 2
How can organisations innovate (securely, ethically and responsibly) with AI?

Facilitator: Sarah Young, Director of Security, Microsoft 

How AI is being used
Sarah Barnbrook, Founder & CEO, Away from Keyboard Inc.

Striking the Balance Between Risk, Regulation, and Innovation
Biljana Roksandic, Principal Lawyer, Zakon Cyber

Globe

Option 3
Tabletop Exercise: Preparing for an AI data leak incident

Shanna Daly, CEO, Torin Cyber Group

Alliance

Option 4
Educating Youth

Marina Azar Toailoa, Founder, Mummy Safety Security Project

12:55 - 1:45pm

Break-out area

Lunch Break

Proudly sponsored by Data#3 and SecurityHQ

1:45 - 2:10pm

Telstra Theatre

(Livestreamed for virtual ticket holders)

Keynote Presentation

Jessica Hunter

Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology

2:10 - 2:50pm

Telstra Theatre

(Livestreamed for virtual ticket holders)

Afternoon Panel Discussion

Women at the Intersection

Facilitator: Vannessa Van Beek, Global Chief Information Security Officer, Fortescue

Dwan Jones, CDE, CC, Director, Inclusive Strategies & Engagement, Center for Cyber Safety & Education
Laura O'Neill, Oceania Partner for Cyber Security, Fujitsu Cyber
Sally Robertson, Senior Manager, Fusion Centre
Daisy Wong, Head of Security Awareness

2:50 - 3:20pm

Break out area

Afternoon Tea Break

3:20 - 4:55pm

Telstra Theatre

(Livestreamed for virtual ticket holders)

Afternoon Concurrent Sessions

Option 1
How can organisations build inclusive-by-design cultures?

Speaking Accessibility by Default: Gender, Neurodiversity, Pronouns, Intersectionality and the importance of belonging
Finley Keating, Risk and Security Professional | Mei McClendon, Customer Success Account Manager, Microsoft

Champions of Change. From Bystanders to Champions: The Power of Allyship
Catherine McNair, Head of Inclusion and Wellbeing, QBE Insurance AUSPA

The Forum

Option 2
How can we build a future-ready workforce?

Facilitator: Jason Qoriniyasi, Director of Member and Community Empowerment, CISO Lens

The Real Barriers
Catherine Rowe, Chief Information Security Officer, RBA | Tommy Sarkissian, Cyber Support Coordinator, RBA

What we bring 
Lauren Compson, Senior Lead - Personnel Security & Insider Risk, Telstra | Cara Wilkins, SOC Team Lead, Telstra

Globe

Option 3
CyberPath Consultation

Betsy Gregg, Director, Operations, Australian Computer Society

Alliance

Option 4
Horizon 2 Strategy Lab: building cyber resilience in your organisation

Ashley Bell, Assistant Secretary for Cyber Policy and Programs, Department of Home Affairs

Atlas

Option 5
Technical Workshop - Mobile Forensics

Domenica (Lee) Crognale, Senior Instructor, Cybersecurity Engineer, SANS Institute

5:05 - 5:35pm

Telstra Theatre

(Livestreamed for virtual ticket holders)

Closing Keynote

Marie Patane 

NSW Chief Cyber Security Officer and Executive Director, Cyber Security NSW


Symposium Close

Daniela Fernandez, AWSN Board Director
Tristan Richards, AWSN Board Director

5:35pm - 7:00pm

Break out area

Networking After-Party

Continued at Telstra

Pre-Symposium Workshop - Enhance your symposium experience with an optional add‑on workshop (additional fee applies)

Workshop: Ignite Your Curiosity: Mobile Forensics Unlocked | Thursday 6 August | 1:30pm - 5:00pm AEST

More info and Registration