Adam Boileau

CyberCX (Cyber Security Experts)

Adam Boileau is an executive director at CyberCX, with 25 years experience in the infoSec industry. Outside of that, Adam is known as the cohost of weekly infosec news podcast Risky Business, and the frontman of Kiwicon, the NZ hacker conference. 

Topic: “From the Early Days of Computing to the Digital Age: The Evolution of Cyber Risk and Assurance, How We Got Here, and What the Future holds?”

Cyber risk refers to the potential loss or damage that can arise from a failure in the security of an organisation’s digital systems and networks. This can include data breaches, cyber attacks, and other incidents that can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical information.

Assurance, on the other hand, refers to the processes and controls that organisations put in place to mitigate cyber risk and ensure the security of their digital assets. This can include security audits, risk assessments, and other measures that are designed to identify vulnerabilities and ensure that appropriate controls are in place to mitigate them.

The evolution of technology and the increasing reliance on digital systems and networks have led to a corresponding increase in cyber risk. This has been driven by a range of factors, including the growing sophistication of cyber criminals, the proliferation of new attack vectors, and the increasing interconnectedness of digital systems. 

To address these challenges, organisations have turned to a range of cyber assurance practices and technologies, including threat intelligence, vulnerability assessments, and advanced security controls. These measures are designed to help organisations stay ahead of evolving cyber threats and ensure the security and resilience of their digital assets.

Internal auditors attending the speaker session on “From the Early Days of Computing to the Digital Age: The Evolution of Cyber Risk and Assurance, How We Got Here, and What the Future holds?” will gain insights into the historical development of cyber risk and assurance practices, as well as a forward-looking perspective on emerging cyber threats and technologies.

They will learn about the increasing complexity and sophistication of cyber risks, as well as the various assurance practices and technologies that organisations use to mitigate these risks. By understanding the evolution of cyber risk and assurance practices, internal auditors can help organisations stay ahead of emerging cyber threats and ensure the security and resilience of their digital assets in the future.

Hugh Devereux-Mack

Senior Advisor (Cert NZ)

Hugh Devereux-Mack is a Senior Advisor with CERT NZ, the government agency created to help increase New Zealand’s cyber resilience.

With more than 10 years’ experience in the private sector, he uses this experience to help both businesses and individuals understand the cyber security environment they operate within. 

Topic: Stories from the trenches – CERT NZ will provide insights into the current cyber security environment based on their recently published 2022 Report Summary. This presentation will also to explore different lessons from businesses case studies that have suffered from cyber attacks before finishing with a practical exercise to help you understand how to check whether your password has been compromised.

CERT NZ works to support businesses, organisations and individuals who are affected (or may be affected) by cyber security incidents. We provide trusted and authoritative information and advice, while also collating a profile of the threat landscape in New Zealand.

CERT NZ is a key component of New Zealand’s Cyber Security Strategy, contributing to the delivery of the Strategy’s vision of a confident and secure digital New Zealand.

Christopher Miller

Principal Cybersecurity Consultant (Datacom)

As a Principal Cybersecurity Consultant, I am privileged to work with large and small organisations across New Zealand raising and fortifying their cybersecurity maturity by providing advice and guidance into system design, governance and risk based decision-making, supported by a Datacom team that includes some of the most highly qualified cybersecurity professionals in the country.

Cybersecurity is a constantly changing and evolving domain, and our customers need dedicated professionals to help defend their organisations and data. By applying Zero Trust principles, our team help organisations to embed these security principles into their technology and architecture.

My primary goal is to position Datacom as the go-to option for organizations that recognize cybersecurity as a critical part of their overall strategy. With 20 years of experience in both Cybersecurity and IT, I am well-versed in bridging the gap between business and technology. I have worked with a range of public and private sector agencies, giving me an understanding of both the measured, compliance approach of government and the quick and adaptable approach of the private sector.

Ramon Manzano

Chief Audit Executive and General Manager (health Alliance)

Ramon has been practicing internal audit for more than 25 years across 11 countries. In 18 of these years, he led internal audit teams for large complex international organisations both in the private and public sectors. He is currently Chief Audit Executive and General Manager at Health New Zealand-healthAlliance. He has held this role since 2010 overseeing the growth of the internal audit function from 5 members serving 3 organisations to a current team of 12 looking after 7 organisations and along the way getting the IIA’s Team Excellence in Internal Auditing award.

His lifelong passion is internal audit and developing high-performing audit teams. He constantly upskills staff, challenges the existing processes, and embraces new technologies. When trusted and respected, he believes internal audit can make a positive difference since its recommendations reach the highest levels in the organisation.

A lifelong learner and at this stage of his career, Ramon is looking forward to freely sharing his vast experience and insights through mentoring (via the Auckland IIA mentoring pilot last year), training, coaching, and board memberships at not-for-profit organisations - such as the IIA. In his role as speaker in national conferences, webinars, and round-table discussions, he is hard at work ensuring that current and future internal auditors have the skills needed to become trusted advisers. He is prepared to do his part by networking with fellow auditors in securing the continued relevance of the internal audit profession in decades to come.

Ramon is blissfully married with two lovely daughters who now can out-run, out-swim and out-ski him. He attended university in America finishing with an MBA then a Masters Degree in Accounting - with distinction. He is also a Chartered Accountant, a Certified Internal Auditor, an ACL Certified Data Analyst, and in 2017 was named Internal Auditor of the Year.