Women in Security - Reshaping the Future

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Join us at the AWS Office in Auckland for this special event recognising individuals, initiatives, and organisations that are changing the norms, reconditioning the way we think about diversity, inclusion, and equity, and shaping a new normal for the security industry in Aotearoa.

Featuring a stellar line-up of speakers from across Aotearoa's security sector, we will hear lightning talks from each of them sharing their journeys and learnings, demystifying the security industry, followed by a Q&A Panel. We'll also have fun interactive activities and opportunities for networking over yummy food and drinks, with awesome prizes up for grabs on the night.

It will be a fabulous event for everyone - no matter if you know nothing about the industry, new to security, curious about the industry or a seasoned security professional! AND remember - our events are open and inclusive to all genders, females, males, nonbinary, and allies! So bring your friends or colleagues for a great night of learning and networking with the community.

+ NEW SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED!

Speakers/Panelists:

Kate Pearce (Trade Me - Head of Security)

Kate is currently the Security Officer at Trade Me, where she runs the security team to keep the data of millions of kiwis safe. Kate holds several governance roles in tech-adjacent organizations including Internet NZ councillor, the NZITF Board - (New Zealand Internet Task force - a body for Security professionals). Kate gives her time to many different causes in and around the tech community and is a firm believer in everyone getting a fair go no matter their background.

She spent several years working in information security consulting while based in the United States – first for the Chicago-based consultancy Neohapsis, and then for Cisco after Neohapsis was acquired by Cisco in 2015. Before her current role, Kate ran a security assessment and response practice across the Asia-Pacific region for Cisco. Her work as a consultant covered application security and secure SDLC, network security, and systems security.

She has spoken and presented research on security topics at many high-profile events, and is an advocate for women and minorities in tech. She is a regular speaker and keynote presenter at conferences in the Australia-New Zealand region and has presented twice at BlackHat, the leading worldwide technical cyber security conference.

Amina Aggarwal (Spark - Security Consultant, ITSP Magazine Podcast Host, NZNWS - Ambassador Lead)

Amina Aggarwal has a broad range of experience that is more than 11 years in Information Technology. She is currently working as a Network and Security Design Consultant at Spark and provides cyber security advice to Spark’s internal and external customers. She is the Winner of 2021 Women in Security Awards NZ, awarded by DEFSEC (Defence Security New Zealand) magazine for going above and beyond her duties as a cyber security professional. She is also a finalist in the “People’s Choice Award” category for the Ally of the Year Awards 2022.

Amina has been involved with the New Zealand Network for Women in Security (NZNWS) as an ambassador since 2021. She has committed to giving her time to Cybersecurity events globally. She aims to empower women by exemplifying that if she can do it anyone can do it. She is also a podcast host at ITSP Magazine where she shares diverse perspectives of women in technology and aims to empower women using the power of sharing stories of technology professionals. She has been involved in various other programs such as CyberSafe mentorship program for mentoring marginalised communities in Africa and leads the code club for a local Montessori School in Auckland, New Zealand.

Briar Feng, PhD (NZ Super Fund)

Briar officially started the security journey last year with NZ Super Fund, where she worked for the Risk team prior to this thrilling new chapter. Trained but not so tamed as an economist, she found her love for law and corporate governance during the master programme, which pushed her through a PhD in Commercial Law from the University of Auckland. After the graduation and before returning to New Zealand, Briar worked for UN ESCAP and UN Population Fund on various ICT for Development initiatives. She is not your typical security gal, so to speak, but she is absolutely excited to be part of this thriving industry and work with more and more brilliant fellow women in security.

Laura Bell (SafeStack Academy - CEO)

With over twenty years of experience in software development and information security, Laura Bell specialises in bringing security into organisations of every shape and size.
She is the founder and CEO of SafeStack Academy, an online education platform offering flexible, high-quality, and people-focused secure development training for fast moving companies, with a focus on building security skills, practices, and culture across the entire engineering team.
Laura is an experienced conference speaker, trainer, and regular panel member, and has spoken at a range of events such as BlackHat USA, Velocity, and OSCON on the subjects of privacy, covert communications, agile security, and security mindset.
She is also the co-author of Agile Application Security and Security for Everyone.

Asya Ivanova (Generate KiwiSaver - CTO)

Asya comes from a diverse background pulling together knowledge across blockchain, finance and telecom industries. In her last few jobs security has been the primary focus where she has built products and the teams around it.

Special Guests:

Tiffany Bloomquist (AWS - NZ Country Manager)

Tiffany is currently the country manager for AWS in New Zealand, leading our commercial sales across large enterprise, Software as a Service providers, small to medium businesses and start-ups. She is an experienced international leader, focused on driving customer business outcomes, transformation, innovative strategy and leveraging partnerships to drive growth. AWS’s focus in Aotearoa is to help unleash further innovation, drive greater productivity, increase our skilled workforce, and truly position New Zealand at the forefront of digital commerce for generations of Kiwis to come.

She coordinates 150+ AWS NZ employees to deliver assistance across thousands of customers and partners as they leverage cloud-based operating models to transform their overall architecture with AWS services. Her teams work hand-in-hand with customers and AWS partners to provide deep expertise in the architecture, design, development and implementation of cloud computing initiatives that result in real business outcomes.

Tiffany has 24+ years’ experience in Services and Technology businesses with international roles in the US, Europe and Asia. Passionate customer advocate, with career spanning management of worldwide deployments of internal business applications, design and launch of start-up organizations and programs, sales strategy and business development, orchestration of worldwide and time zone level strategy and leadership of large people organizations.

Sarah Lock (AWS - Startup Account Manager, Women @ AWS NZ Lead)

Sarah is currently Account Manager at AWS New Zealand. Her entire career has been in the tech field helping find the right people for companies to grow and succeed. Now excited to bring these skills to advise New Zealand startups and help them grow!

We will be joined by Tiffany Bloomquist (AWS - NZ Country Manager) who will be welcoming everyone to AWS NZ and Sarah Lock (AWS - Startup Account Manager, Women @ AWS NZ Lead) who will be moderating the panel!

Sai Honig (NZNWS - Co-Founder, AWS - Security Consultant)

Sai Honig is a multipotentialite who has worked in differing roles in various industries. Prior to information security, Sai was an aerospace design engineer and financial/ operational auditing. Sai’s IT experience is in the governance, audit, supply chain, risk management, and security. Her industrial experience includes manufacturing, healthcare, education, and financial services.

Sai is technical but not a programmer. She flourish the most in a security role that works right across the business, consultatively bringing security "into the real world" for the average staff member. Sai is passionate in helping others and promoting a wider understanding of cybersecurity. She works with teams to develop and incorporate security knowledge into their work. Sai also enjoys mentoring others and sharing her path to cybersecurity.

Originally from the United States, Sai now lives in New Zealand. Sai is also co-founder of NZ Network for Women in Security. This is a forum for women currently working in cybersecurity or are interested in cybersecurity.

Tash Bettridge (NZNWS - Co-Founder)

Tash Bettridge (Te whānau-a-apanui, ngapuhi, pakeha) is an award-winning woman in security, having co-founded the New Zealand Network for Women in Security, she was recognised in the global SIA Women in Security Forum Power 100 in 2022, Women in Security Awards Aotearoa Indigenous Advocate, amongst numerous industry accolades for her work advocating for diversity in cybersecurity, as well as initiatives that empower Māori and Pacific People.

Abby Zhang (NZNWS - Auckland Chapter Lead)

Abby Zhang is a Security Analyst, Cloud and Fintech Security Researcher based in Aotearoa. Abby is an experienced cybersecurity and technology risk professional with years of professional experience in auditing, internal control, risk management and IAM. Abby has previously worked in large CPA Firms in China, where she worked in the banking and insurance sector.

Abby moved to Aotearoa and studied for a Graduate Diploma in Computing from Unitec Institute of Technology in 2020. This is where she found and developed her passion for cloud security, fintech security, penetration testing, ABI, machine learning, and data science.

In her spare time, she is playing HacktheBox labs where she has a Pro Hacker Rank and preparing for the OSCP. She is also a volunteer for Parkrun NZ and a Community Patroller for Community Patrols of New Zealand (CPNZ).

Tash and Sai from NZNWS will be sharing some fantastic opportunities for women in security in New Zealand.

Tash, Amina and Abby from NZNWS will also be leading the interactive workshop activities!

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