Speakers – PCSC

Leading Voices Unveiled

Ganna Pogrebna

Professor Ganna Pogrebna is the Executive Director of the AI and Cyber Futures Institute (AICF), an Honorary Professor at the University of Sydney, and the Lead for Behavioural Data Science at the Alan Turing Institute. Renowned internationally for her expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI), behavioural data science, and emerging technologies, she is also a dedicated advocate for ethical and inclusive AI development. Her strategic insights have supported critical projects for organisations including the Office of National Intelligence in Australia, the Ministry of Defence, GCHQ, and NCSC in the UK, as well as the Council of Europe and the World Bank.

Miguel De Bruycker

Miguel joined the General Intelligence and Security Service, in 2005, where he was responsible for securing classified networks and creating the first cyberdefence unit in Belgium. Since 2008, he and his cyber team have been involved in handling all major cyber incidents in Belgium. In 2012, he took the initiative to write the first National Cybersecurity Strategy. On August 17, 2015, he founded the Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium, where he continues to serve as Director General. Under his visionary leadership, this national centre has significantly enhanced Belgium's cybersecurity, making it one of the least cyber-vulnerable countries in the EU.

Rajiv Gupta

Rajiv Gupta is the Head of the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (the Cyber Centre), a part of the Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSE). As Head, Rajiv leads the Cyber Centre in providing expert advice, guidance and services to the Canadian government, the private sector including Canada’s critical infrastructure sectors and the Canadian public. Prior to this role, Rajiv served as the Associate Head of the Cyber Centre for three years, where he was responsible for achieving national level cyber security outcomes for Canada through collaborative efforts with industry partners.

Michelle McGuinness

Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness, CSC was appointed Australia’s National Cyber Security Coordinator on 26 February 2024. As Coordinator, LTGEN McGuinness leads national cyber security policy, the coordination of responses to major cyber incidents, whole of government cyber incident preparedness efforts, and the strengthening of Commonwealth cyber security capability. Joining the Australian Defence Force in 1994, LTGEN McGuinness has served in a range of tactical, operational, and strategic roles across the Department of Defence and internationally.

Igli Tafa

Igli Tafa, since October 2022, holds the position of General Director of the National Cyber Security Authority, guaranteeing secure electronic transactions in the internal market, identifying and controlling critical and important Information Infrastructures, as well as determines cyber security measures for them, in terms of exercising the Authority's activity. Graduated as Computer Engineering, he continued his studies in deepening his knowledge in the field of cyber security and holds the title of Associate Professor Attestation.