Opening Address: Risks, Trends and Opportunities Shaping the Year Ahead
Chris Fraser
CEO and Founder at Aspire
Chris Fraser will open the summit by sharing his perspective on the evolving technology and cyber security landscape. Drawing on conversations with organisations across the UK, this session will highlight the key risks, trends and opportunities shaping the year ahead, setting the scene for a day focused on resilience, innovation and practical insight.
Keynote Speaker: The Human Attack Surface: Behaviour, AI and Cybercrime in a Digital World
Professor Mary Aiken
World-Leading Cyberpsychologist
As a world-leading cyberpsychologist and advisor to industry, governments, and agencies such as Europol and INTERPOL, Professor Mary Aiken explores how AI, emerging technologies and cybercrime are reshaping trust, decision-making and human behaviour. This thought-provoking keynote will challenge conventional thinking and provide a unique perspective on the human factors shaping the digital world and the challenges organisations must prepare for in the years ahead.
Live Attack Simulation: From Breach to Network Compromise
Simon Gurney, Chief Technology Officer and Founder at Punk Security
Watch a cyber attack unfold from the compromise of a public facing website to movement across the wider network. This live simulation will give delegates a clearer understanding of how attackers gain access, exploit weaknesses and evade detection. It will highlight the warning signs defenders need to recognise, the actions that can disrupt an attack and the practical lessons organisations can apply to strengthen their response. The session will also examine where AI adds value and where human judgement remains essential.
Understanding Today's Threat Actors
Professor Victoria Baines
Former Head of Strategy at Europol's European Cybercrime Centre and Former Trust & Safety Manager at Facebook
Drawing on experience from Europol, Facebook and international law enforcement, Professor Victoria Baines provides a unique perspective on the forces shaping today’s cyber threat landscape. This session will explore how automation and emerging technologies are changing both attack and defence, how geopolitics is driving new cyber threats, and how leaders can distinguish genuine emerging risks from industry hype. From AI to quantum, Victoria will examine what organisations should be paying attention to now and what it means for future preparedness and resilience.
Cyber Attacks, AI and Digital Deception in Action
Tobias Schroedel
Cyber Security Expert, Live Hacker, Author and Television Presenter
Known for his engaging mix of live hacking, cyber security expertise and humour, Tobias Schroedel brings cyber attacks to life through live demos, real world attack scenarios and practical examples. From social engineering to a live visit of the darkweb and from ransomware negotiations to AI empowered deepfakes, this highly interactive session will reveal how attackers exploit technology, AI and human behaviour, offering memorable insight into the techniques and tactics used by modern cyber criminals.
Inside the SOC: Behind the Scenes of Modern Cyber Defence
Bob McKay, Cyber and Infosec Director
Jamie Egglestone, Security Operations Lead
Marc Thomas, Cyber Solutions & Incident Response Lead
Drawing on experience across real cyber incidents, Aspire’s SOC team will show how threats are intercepted before they develop into major incidents. The session will explore how suspicious activity is identified, investigated and contained, the warning signs analysts look for and the decisions that determine how quickly an attack can be stopped. Delegates will gain practical insight into what an effective response requires, what can slow it down and how organisations can strengthen their readiness.
