AAF at AHECS Cybersecurity Summit 2024: the recap

We were pleased to present at the Australasian Higher Education Cyber Security Service (AHECS) Cybersecurity Summit in October 2024. As an industry leader and founding member of AHECS, we work closely with the higher education and research sector to amplify cybersecurity through trust and identity technologies and solutions.

The Summit is an exclusive event for cybersecurity professionals within the Australasian higher education and research sector, and offers great value to participants through presentations, panels, and discussions.

The AAF participated in two panel discussions which highlighted our sector's commitment to collaboration and knowledge sharing, to build resilience and enhance cybersecurity practices, and highlight the importance of trust and identity technologies and policies.

Heath Marks, CEO, Russell Ianniello, Head of Technology and Nick Rossow presented a Partner Session at the Summit, covering technology, security and trust and identity updates from the AAF.

Heath Marks, CEO, said "The 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report states that 86% of cyber incidents globally are trust and identity related. In Australia, we know that cyber-attacks are targeting valuable digital resources and sensitive data. We need a holistic approach to cyber security for national research infrastructures, underpinned by trust and identity, to ensure secure access to research services. Simplified access to secure, integrated research infrastructure makes it easier for academic researchers to spend more time on their valuable research, and ensures their digital identities remain safe."

Russell Ianniello, Head of Technology, said "At AAF, we strive for seamless, secure and easy authentication. We see the growing recognition of the importance of privacy and data minimisation in the sector, and a shift from centralised technologies to decentralised technologies. There is an increased understanding and adoption of modern, easier to use protocols, that are more secure and protect Australia's valuable research infrastructures and assets."

Nick Rossow, Portfolio Manager, spoke on the "Enabling trusted research and a supported academia: keeping us safe into the future" panel alongside Brendan Walker-Munro, Senior Lecturer (Law), Faculty of Business, Law and Arts from Southern Cross University and Michael Karich, DCISO-Research from University of Auckland.