NZ's first Cyber Security Summit drawing near

The industry is getting ready to descend on New Zealand's first Cyber Security Summit next week, with Communications Minister Amy Adams expecting more than 200 top business people to take part.

Adams signalled the summit, which will take place in Auckland on May 5 next week, at the launch of New Zealand's Cyber Security Strategy in December, with a call to action for the public and private sector.

"Cyber-attacks can and do damage our economy. Businesses are acutely aware of the $257 million lost to cybercrime last year," says Adams.

"As a Government, we're serious about improving New Zealand's cyber security and ensuring New Zealand is an open and safe place to do business," she says.

"The challenge cyber security presents can't be met by the public sector alone. What's clear is that we need a joined up response – the private and public sectors working together to share information and expertise," explains Adams.

"The Summit is an opportunity for chairs and chief executives from across New Zealand to continue the conversation around how as a country we tackle the threat of cybercrime, and improve our resilience and security in this increasingly digital age," she says.

Adams says the business community's awareness of cyber threats has continued to grow since the launch of the Cyber Security Strategy in December.

"Cyber security is rightly a key issue for businesses in 2016," she says.

"The refreshed Cyber Security Strategy signalled a step-change in how we manage the security challenges and opportunities resulting from our increased connectivity," Adams explains.

"A strong partnership between the public and private sectors sits at the heart of the strategy, and it's essential that we work together to improve our nation's cyber security," she says.

The theme of the inaugural Summit is Keeping New Zealand's Economy Cyber Secure.

International keynote speakers include:

·       Jim Lewis from the US Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington

·       Matt Thomlinson, Vice President of Security at Microsoft

·       Richard Bejtlich, Chief Security Strategist at FireEye.