Track
Date & Time
Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Room Location
Armadillo
Session Code
PL01
Name
Opening Plenary
Description
As the geopolitical landscape grows increasingly volatile, cyber capability has never been
more central to national security. In this exclusive fireside conversation, Anne Keast-Butler,
Director GCHQ, and General Sir Rob Magowan, Commander Cyber & Specialist Operations
Command, reflect on the role of defensive and offensive cyber operations, and what the next
decade demands of the UK’s collective cyber capability. A rare opportunity to hear two of the
UK’s most senior national security figures speak candidly about the responsibilities, challenges
and opportunities ahead.
Speakers
Richard Horne, Chief Executive Officer, National Cyber Security Centre
Margaret Heffernan, Author, Chief Executive Officer and Professor of Practice, University of Bath
General Sir Rob Magowan, Commander Cyber & Specialist Operations Command, Ministry of Defence
Anne Keast-Butler, Director, Government Communications Headquarters
Margaret Heffernan, Author, Chief Executive Officer and Professor of Practice, University of Bath
General Sir Rob Magowan, Commander Cyber & Specialist Operations Command, Ministry of Defence
Anne Keast-Butler, Director, Government Communications Headquarters
With thanks to our Lead Sponsors
