Speakers

James is Director of ASPI’s Cyber, Technology and Security (CTS) program.

In this role, James leads ASPI’s largest team to develop original, rigorous and data-driven research and policy recommendations to address emerging security challenges. CTS spans cyber and critical infrastructure security, critical and emerging technologies, national resilience and social cohesion, and hybrid threats. This includes disinformation, economic coercion and other ‘grey zone’ activities. CTS works with partners from governments, academia and civil society, and industry spanning the Indo-Pacific and globally.

James is a senior national security practitioner with nearly two decades experience in foreign policy and intelligence. He has provided influential advice to government at the highest levels, driving policy responses to evolving global threats and those impacting Australia’s place in the world. This included serving as Intelligence Liaison Officer to Australia’s Foreign Minister and representing Australia abroad through diplomatic postings to Indonesia and Malaysia, where he worked closely with international partners to further stability and resilience against shared threats. James has also led teams central to Australia’s intelligence policy and coordination effort; international partnerships; protective security; enterprise capability; governance and oversight; and enterprise risk.

His strategic insights and ability to build connections have been instrumental in shaping policies and responses to transnational and emerging security threats. James is well-regarded for bridging intelligence collection and analysis with policy implementation. His vision is grounded in collaboration across public and private sectors along with integration of advanced technologies to bolster national preparedness and response capabilities.

James holds a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours in International Relations from Monash University. He specialised in terrorism studies.

From defending highly sensitive military systems in international war zones to mitigating cyber risk in corporate environments; I've dedicated my career to protecting information and data against the actions of cyber threats, adversaries and malicious actors.

Doug Thompson is the National Information Security & Digital Risk Manager at Myer. With extensive experience in information security and digital risk management, Doug has been instrumental in enhancing the company's cybersecurity posture and mitigating digital risks. He is known for his strategic yet pragmatic approach to security, focusing on both proactive measures and responsive strategies to protect the organisation's digital assets.

Doug has a proven track record of leading cross-functional teams and collaborating with various departments to implement robust security frameworks. His expertise includes developing and executing comprehensive security policies, managing risk assessments, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.

Doug's commitment to continuous learning and professional development is evident in his proactive engagement with the latest trends and technologies in cybersecurity. He is dedicated to fostering a culture of security awareness within the organisation and beyond.

In his personal time, Doug enjoys spending quality moments with his daughters, staying active at the gym, and exploring new destinations through travel.

Victor is an Information Technology and Risk Management professional with over 30 years of experience across the Financial Services, Payments, Healthcare, and Consulting industries with a passion for creating and implementing enterprise-wide business & technology solutions.

Tom is a seasoned digital and technology leader with extensive experience in project and line management across digital and Microsoft platforms. With a track record of success in both startup and enterprise environments, he excels in leading teams to deliver complex IT-enabled change projects while effectively engaging stakeholders.

Dr Robert Hunjet serves as the Program Leader for the Australian Defence Science and Universities Network at the Defence Science and Technology Group. In this role he drives engagement between academia, industry and the Defence Innovation, Science and Technology (IS&T) ecosystem. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Adelaide, Australia in 2014 and serves as an adjunct Associate Professor with the Trusted Autonomy Group in the School of Systems and Computing, University of New South Wales, Canberra. He has served as the Australian lead for multiple international collaborations pertaining to AI and Autonomy technologies. Dr Hunjet is well published in the fields of AI, autonomy and communications networks and sits on multiple boards and panels within the Defence IS&T ecosystem.