AHECS Summit 2026  

The 2026 AHECS Cybersecurity Summit is heading to Brisbane on 14–16 September 2026. 

Focused on the unique cybersecurity challenges in higher education and research across Australasia, the Summit is a must-attend event for cybersecurity professionals. Shaped by the people who know the sector best, AHECS brings the sector's leading minds and practitioners together to share ideas, explore solutions, and tackle the big issues.

Confirmed Speakers

Brendan Walker-Munro
Associate Professor (Law), Faculty of Business & the Arts
Southern Cross University 

Mandy Turner
Adjunct Lecturer, Cyber Criminology,
 The University of Queensland

Ryan Saunders
Chief Information Security Officer,
RMIT University

Fiona Collie
Cyber Awareness & Outreach Manager,
Monash University


Craig Costello
Professor of Computer Science,
Queensland University of Technology

Emily Woodhams
Cybersecurity Engagement Manager,
 The University of Melbourne

James Kay
Associate Director-General of Standards, Technical Advice & Research
Australian Signals Directorate

Rachel Mansson
Associate Director, Cybersecurity Threat Intelligence,
Deakin University


View the agenda


Invitation from AHECS Summit Chair

On behalf of the AHECS partners, AAF, AARNet, AusCERT, CAUDIT, and REANNZ, we are pleased to invite you to the 2026 Australasian Higher Education Cybersecurity Service (AHECS) Summit.

The AHECS Summit has a distinctive focus on the cybersecurity needs of the Australian higher education and research sector; this unique forum is a result of the ‘by the sector, for the sector’ AHECS partnership. The AHECS Summit is an exclusive opportunity for you to connect with cybersecurity peers across the sector. The insights and learnings gained from the presentations, panels, and discussions at the Summit offer immense value to participants.

Nikki Peever
Chair, AHECS Summit
Director, Cybersecurity, CAUDIT


We thank our 2026 Working Group for their support and assistance

  • Sasenka Abeysooriya, Strategy Director, The University of Queensland
  • Graham Allen, Manager Cyber Defence and Response, University of Technology Sydney
  • Sarah Brundrett, Senior Manager - Library Quality, Strategy and Engagement, Adelaide University
  • Jack Cross, CISO, Queensland University of Technology
  • Dan Maslin, CISO, Monash University
  • Nikki Peever, Director Cybersecurity, CAUDIT