Renaissance Cyber Expo & Conference Ireland 2024

The Cyber Expo & Conference Ireland 2024 is almost upon us. As in previous years, attendance is open to everyone working in an IT sector supplier with a presence in the Irish marketplace. It is also open to decision-makers and IT and cybersecurity professionals working for public and private sector organisations. The event provides the perfect opportunity for cybersecurity professionals and executive decision-makers in organisations to attend presentations and talks on relevant security and regulatory topics, as well as talk directly to vendors and security experts.

When and Where?

Cyber Expo & Conference Ireland 2024 will take place on Thursday the 18th of April 2024 in The Leopardstown Pavilion. Located to the south of Dublin with excellent access via the motorway network and public transport, The Leopardstown Pavilion proved to be a fantastic venue for the 2022 and 2023 events, and we are looking forward to returning.

What is Cyber Expo & Conference Ireland?

Cyber Expo & Conference Ireland is a conference and expo floor event hosted by Renaissance, Ireland's largest IT security distributor. First held in 2017, the Cyber Expo & Conference has become a staple on the Ireland IT events calendar.

The Cyber Expo & Conference has two main components.

Cyber Expo Ireland - a place to meet experts, see available cybersecurity solutions and chat with security vendors on the expo floor — including Vendors, Value Added Resellers (VARs), Security Experts, and users from the industry who will mingle and chat about all things security and IT. See the full list of participating vendors at https://cyberexpoireland.ie/cyber-expo-2024-vendors/.
Cyber Con Ireland - expert-led presentations and sessions in which industry experts outline the current landscape in a particular area and discuss how cybersecurity protections can be implemented and maintained. This year’s conference will feature all-new streams, and more details on the session topics and the opening keynote talk are below.

The image below shows the agenda for the day. See the full details on the Cyber Expo & Conference Ireland website.

Sign up to attend the event via the dedicated Eventbrite page at https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/cyber-expo-conference-ireland-2024-tickets-768324769067.

Read on for an overview of the Keynote address and the other ten cybersecurity streams at the conference that will focus on specific topics relevant to the current threat landscape.

Michael Conway of Renaissance recently discussed what to expect from the 2024 Cyber Expo & Conference in a Business Post Podcast. The 19-minute recording can be played back via this MP3 link.

Keynote Speech: The Evolution of Compliance

From 10:00 to 10:30 - Main Conference Room

Following his popular opening presentations in 2022 & 2023, Paul C Dwyer, President of the ICTTF International Cyber Threat Task Force (LinkedIn), will return to deliver the 2024 Conference keynote.

This year’s keynote topic will be Unlocking the Future of Digital Trust: Navigating the Evolution of Compliance.

Paul’s keynote will discuss the importance of compliance by focusing on technology, trust, and resilience. Highlighting the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), Paul will position compliance as crucial for combating cyber threats and ensuring financial sector resilience. The consequences of non-compliance, from financial losses to damaged reputations, will be highlighted through case studies. Paul will advocate for viewing compliance as a strategic imperative for innovation and digital trust. He will offer business leaders and professionals insights on fostering digital resilience and reliability.

Read more about Paul’s keynote at https://cyberexpoireland.ie/keynote-speech-the-evolution-of-compliance/.

Cyber Resilience in the Age of NIS2: Strategies and Best Practices

With the introduction of the European Union’s NIS2 directive, companies must prioritise cyber resilience to protect critical infrastructure. During this session, cybersecurity experts will address organisations’ challenges and risks when meeting NIS2 requirements and provide insights into best practices for achieving cyber resilience.

The session will be led by Rowan Fogarty (Chief Operations Officer VigiTrust Ltd), and he will be joined by:

Morten Gammelgard, EVP EMEA/Global - BullWall
Will Gray - Area Director – Europe North, SecurityScorecard
Tristan Bateup, Director, Channel Sales UK & Ireland - SonicWall
Nick Vlasov, Sr Product Manager - Progress
Bernard Debauche, Chief Product Marketing - cyberelements

Channel Evolution: The Renaissance Cyber Academy

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) can never sit still. Change is constant, whether it’s the technology, business needs, or client expectations. While most MSPs are accustomed to churn, the pace of change in 2024 and beyond is exceptional. Businesses are digitising their assets and moving to the cloud. Governments continue to pass additional data regulations. Security threats are on the rise, and their sophistication is increasing. Plus, the pandemic has turned traditional office use on its head by embedding a culture of remote and hybrid working. While these changes are challenging, they also present opportunities.

This session provides insight into the resources available to MSPs seeking to grow their business, including the Renaissance Cyber Academy.

Renaissance has developed the Renaissance Cyber Academy, a unique platform designed specifically for managed service providers (MSPs). This academy is not just another training resource but a comprehensive tool that helps MSPs identify areas for improvement, enhance their cybersecurity skills and knowledge, and support them in growing their business.

Presenters in this session will cover the Renaissance Cyber Academy and provide insights into the different Business Management, Sales, Marketing and Strategic Operations courses the Academy delivers free of charge via CompTIA.

The session will be led by David McCullough (Chief Commercial Officer Xsell). David will be joined by:

Tracy Pound – Chair of the Board of Directors, CompTIA
John Byrne - Founder, Your Success Coach

There will also be a participant from Irish IT services company Nostra on the panel of speakers for this session.

Demystifying the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA)

This session will shed light on the significance and implications of the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and how to navigate this legislation. The expert speakers will showcase practical examples of how organisations can align their operational processes with DORA and share advice on how companies can strengthen operational resilience, mitigate risks, and protect digital services — ultimately fostering a safer and more secure digital ecosystem.

The session will be led by Dr Vivienne Mee (Founder, VM Group), who will be joined by:

Robb Stubbs- Ireland / UK Sales Director, Fortanix
Will Gray - Area Director – Europe North, SecurityScorecard

From Users to Defenders: Empowering the Human Factor in Cybersecurity

Despite technological advancements, human error remains a weak link attackers can exploit. This session emphasises the crucial role individuals play in safeguarding IT systems in the evolving threat landscape. The speakers will delve into the various human behaviours that can inadvertently lead to security breaches. They will then present practical strategies that organisations can implement to effectively minimise such breaches.

David Lello, Chief Information Security Officer at Burning Tree, will lead the session. He will be joined by:

Nihil Morjaria, Chief Revenue Officer - usecure
Alistair Mills, Director of Sales Engineering, Middle East & Northern Europe - Proofpoint
Ryan Dumigan, MSP-EMEA Manager - Keeper Security

Lessons in Security: Cyber Resilience in the Education Sector

In our increasingly digitalised world, educational institutions face unique challenges when safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining cyber resilience. Covering protecting student information and defence against sophisticated cyber threats, this session will delve into the lessons learned from successful security strategies in education. Discover practical insights, innovative approaches, and best practices to build a robust cyber defence system that prioritises the safety and privacy of students and staff.

Carmel Somers, Human Capital Strategist in ICT Skillnet, will lead the session. Carmel will be joined by:

Luke Smith, EMEA Channel Account Manager - Admin By Request
Liam McIntyre, Information and Cyber Security Project Manager - ATU
Simon May, General Manager, UK & Europe - FastVue
Derek Pillar, Cyber & Physical Security Manager – Mastercard

Modernising Identity & Access Management for Enhanced Security

Identity is undoubtedly one of the most challenging areas of security. This session will delve into the critical importance of upgrading traditional identity and access management systems to counter evolving cybersecurity threats. Discover ground-breaking strategies and cutting-edge technologies driving a transformation in identity and access management (IAM). The session participants will shed light on innovative best practices to fortify your organisation’s security posture, mitigate risks, and protect sensitive digital assets effectively.

The session will be led by Paul Edmondson, Commercial Director At InspiritVision, who will be joined by:

Luke Smith, EMEA Channel Account Manager - Admin By Request
Jonathan Fussner, Global Head - cyberelements

Managed Security Services and the Evolution of the Channel

The services offered by MSPs have evolved over the years. As the IT landscape has changed to include more mobile devices and cloud-based services, MSPs have adapted and matured to supply this market. Today, MSPs are available to design, deliver, and manage every aspect of the IT stack — from smartphones to complex cloud-based business-critical applications.

The demand for managed services is increasing at double-digit rates, and the types of services that organisations are looking for are evolving. Creating new and profitable managed services has always been challenging, but as customer needs evolve, developing profitable services with strong customer appeal that can be delivered efficiently without significant additional investment is especially challenging. Additionally, trends like value-based pricing and service bundling are making it more important than ever for service providers to distinguish their offerings from others in the market.

This stream will showcase solutions designed to meet the changing needs of MSPs, helping them create winning and successful managed service solutions that will drive profitable growth.

Paul Hearns, Business Owner at PJH Consulting, will lead the session. Paul will be joined by:

Lorna Burman, Partnership and Distribution Manager, usecure
Michael Reeves, Technical Director – Cloud & MSP - Bitdefender
Colin Wright, Channel Sales Director, EMEA & APAC - Octiga
Adelle Desouza, Senior Director of Product Marketing – Centripetal
Daniel Carr, Territory Account Manager, Ireland - SonicWall

Safeguarding Brand Integrity in the Cyber Age

One of the most damaging things a data breach can do to any company is damage the reputation built over the years. A data breach often destroys a good reputation.

This session explores the latest strategies and technologies industry leaders employ to fortify brand integrity against cyber-attacks. The speakers will also share valuable insights on safeguarding customer trust, preserving brand reputation, and fostering resilience in the face of evolving cybersecurity challenges.

The session will be led by Sean Reynolds - Founder & CEO of Rits Information Security, and they will be joined by:

Morten Gammelgard, EVP EMEA/Global - BullWall
Andrew Mulligan, Partner Director, EMEA - Fortanix
Alistair Mills, Director of Sales Engineering, Middle East & Northern Europe - Proofpoint

Securing Health Data: Challenges and Solutions in Cybersecurity for Healthcare

This session delves into the complex challenges faced in the healthcare sector when protecting sensitive patient information from cyber-attacks. The speakers will explore the sector’s unique vulnerabilities and offer valuable insights into the latest cyber risks healthcare organisations face. This session will equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to improve the safeguarding of health data, ensure patient privacy, and navigate the increasingly complex landscape of healthcare cybersecurity.

The session will be led by David Lello, Chief Information Security Officer at Burning Tree, who will be joined by:

Graham Moore, Senior Channel Sales Engineer - Proofpoint
Wayne Hollinshead, EMEA Channel Director - Asimily

Wrap-Up Panel Session: Cyber Evolution: Security Trends & Predictions for the Year Ahead and Beyond

In the day’s final session, a panel of industry experts will share their extensive knowledge and insights, examining the crucial topics, trends and regulations covered at Cyber Expo and Conference Ireland 2024. Covering emerging technologies to evolving attack vectors, this discussion promises to help you navigate the cybersecurity landscape in 2024 and beyond.

This session will take place from 15:30 – 16:30 in Conference Room 1.

Charlie Taylor, Technology And Innovation Editor At Business Post, will lead the discussion. Joining Charlie for the panel discussion will be:

Paul C Dwyer, our keynote speaker and President of the ICTTF International Cyber Threat Task Force, and CEO of Cyber Risk International
Pat Ryan, Detective Superintendent of the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau and Chair of the European Union Cybercrime Taskforce
Tracy Pound – Chair of the Board of Directors, CompTIA
Gill Thomas, Director of Engagement, Capacity & Resilience, Global Cyber Alliance
Paul Edmondson, Commercial Director at InspiritVision

Conclusion

The sessions outlined above will contain topics relevant to all IT executives and other decision-makers. When coupled with the opportunities to chat with industry experts and vendors on the Expo floor, Cyber Expo & Conference Ireland 2024 is an event you do not want to miss. Sign up to attend today.