WHAT IS CYBER ROOT?

This year marks the 4th edition of the cyber ROOT conference organised by MITA. It will be held physically at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta on the 26th of October 2022.

During cyber ROOT 2022, MITA will be launching the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre of Malta, whilst announcing the opportunities and benefits that lie ahead for the local community. Different speakers will be addressing multiple topics relevant to organisations, professionals and essentially, to all those that have an interest in cyber security.

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EVENT SPEAKERS

Tony Sultana worked in various senior management positions within MITA for more than 25 years.  During his tenure as MITA Executive Chairman, he focused on strengthening and modernising the Government digital ICT landscape, prioritising on cyber security. In 2022, he was appointed Principal Permanent Secretary, whilst retaining his role as MITA Chairman.  He holds a degree in Mathematics and Computing from the University of Malta and a Master of Science in Management from Anglia University.

Tony Sultana

Principal Permanent Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister

Emanuel Darmanin joined MITA in 1994 and since then he has occupied various senior management positions within the Agency. He was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in 2022.

He graduated as an Electrical Engineer from the University of Malta in 1989 and gained an MBA from Henley Management College, UK in 2000 and an MA in Creativity and Innovation from the University of Malta in 2006.

Emanuel Darmanin

Chief Executive Officer, MITA

Pascal Steichen is founder and CEO of SECURITYMADEIN.LU, and for over 20 years has been involved in the main cybersecurity initiatives of the Luxembourg Government. He is a member of the Luxembourg Cybersecurity Board, lecturer at the University of Luxembourg, board member of CLUSIL, member of WomenCyberForce, and Chair of the  European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC).

Pascal Steichen

Chair of the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre, ECCC

Jonathan Cassar is responsible for technology strategy and direction, enterprise architecture and roadmaps within MITA. He is also responsible for the security of the infrastructure within the Government and his role as a head of security is to ensure the protection, detection, and the response to cyberattacks amongst the Government infrastructure and the Maltese cyberspace.

Jonathan Cassar

Chief Technology Officer & Head Information Security & Governance Department, MITA

Katia Bonello is a Project Manager within the Information Security Department at MITA. She is in charge of the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre. Amongst other roles, Katia is a member of the European Cybersecurity Challenge Committee and heads Team Malta, runs the Cyber Root yearly conference and leads the National Cybersecurity Awareness and Education Campaign.

Katia Bonello

Project Manager - National Cyber Security Coordination Centre, MITA

Andrew Schembri specialises in Information Technology & Information Security Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) topics. He helps organisations devise strategies to transform and improve their approach to managing technology and security risks to drive business performance, maximize efficiencies and improve stakeholder confidence. He is also a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).

Andrew Schembri

Senior Manager, Cybersecurity, PwC Malta

Abigail Agius Mamo has occupied the position of Malta Chamber of SMEs CEO for the last 8 years. Her experience and expertise revolve around economic topics of competitiveness and sustainability of enterprises, especially SMEs. She is an experienced lobbyist and represents the interest of businesses on a number of high-level fora.

Abigail Agius Mamo

Chief Executive Officer, Malta Chamber of SMEs

Daniel Borg graduated with a BCom (Hons) in 2004 in Public and Private Sector Administration and an MA in Public Policy in 2013. Throughout his career, he occupied various posts within the public sector and the Government of Malta. Daniel published papers on cultural heritage and tourism in international academic journals and is currently a member of INSULEUR.

Daniel Borg

Chief Executive Officer, Gozo Business Chamber

Marthese is the team lead for IT Assurance and ISO Outsourcing services at RSM Malta. Throughout her career, she guided organisations through the information security compliance process and is now using this broad experience to help more organisations improve their security capabilities. Marthese is appointed to represent The Malta Chamber of Commerce.

Marthese Vella

Lead Consultant, RSM Malta & Chamber of Commerce Representative

Martin started his career in Cyber security more than 20 years ago, being responsible for setting up the security function in MITA to protect the Maltese Government Infrastructure. For the last decade, he represented Malta on a number of national, European and international fora on cyber security regulation, applicable laws and policies.

Martin Camilleri

Manager, Security Initiatives & MTCSIRT, MITA

Martina Bonanno graduated a Business and IT degree from the University of Malta, just last year. She currently forms part of the National Coordination Centre team within MITA where her tasks mainly revolve around the setting up and running of the NCC, including supporting the various responsibilities. She also handles the implementation of National Cybersecurity Awareness and Education Campaigns.

Martina Bonanno

Associate Analyst - National Cyber Security Coordination Centre, MITA

Yaneis Buhagiar is a Project Manager within the Information Security & Governance Department at MITA and forms part of the Cyber Defense and Advanced Operations team. She started her journey in 2016 at MITA after graduating from MCAST with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Systems and Networks.

 

Yaneis Buhagiar

Project Manager, Cyber Defense & Advanced Operations, MITA

Kirsten Cremona is a cyber security specialist with over 10 years of professional experience. In his role, he is responsible for managing technical security assessments such as vulnerability assessments, network and web penetration testing, and social engineering simulations. Kirsten has graduated with a MSc in Network Security and Pen Testing from Middlesex University, Malta, and holds various industry certifications.

Kirsten Cremona

Senior Manager, Cybersecurity, PwC Malta

Carm Cachia is a chartered fellow of the BCS with a pioneering career reflecting his systems and management qualifications coupled with vast and successful experience in leadership of tech companies and projects of national interest. His career encompassed most areas in the digital sphere, including software engineering, infrastructure design, information security, project management and executive leadership.

Carm Cachia

Chief Administrator, eSkills Malta Foundation

Conrad Vassallo graduated in 2001 with a B.Ed.(Hons) degree in Computing from the University of Malta.  He joined the institute of ICT at MCAST as an assistant lecturer making him one of the founding lecturers at the institute. He furthered his studies with a M.Sc. in Software Engineering and in 2015, he was appointed director of the institute.

 

Conrad Vassallo

Director, Institute of ICT, MCAST

Keith Cutajar is a specialist in Cyber-Security, Cybercrime, Digital Forensics and Cyber-Terrorism.  He has read for a BSc(Hons) in IT at the University of Malta and an MSc in Information Security at the Royal Holloway College (University of London). He is also a Court Expert in Digital Forensics, Cybercrime and Cyber-Terrorism at the Courts of Law in Malta.

 

Keith Cutajar

Vice President / Academic Chair, ISACA Malta Chapter

Mark Vella received his PhD in computer systems security from the University of Strathclyde, UK, in 2013. Previously he participated in and led enterprise application and integration projects. His initial research on immune system-inspired intrusion detection has today found application in using memory forensics for incident response. He is currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of Malta.

Mark Vella

Senior Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, University of Malta

Grazio Grixti is responsible for all aspects of digital education. He is the legal representative heading eTwinning Malta and also contributes regularly in various fora. Grazio graduated from the University of Malta​ with an MBA (Public Management), has a first degree in Bachelor of Education (Hons) and a post-graduate diploma in digital marketing from the DMI.

Grazio Grixti

Director for Digital Literacy and Transversal Skills, Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research & Innovation

Deborah Schiavone forms part of the National  Coordination Centre team within MITA. She previously worked at the MITA outreach function and at the MITA Innovation Hub. Deborah graduated with an MSc in Marketing from the University of Glamorgan, Wales and a Post Graduate Diploma in Digital Marketing from the DMI, Ireland.

Deborah Schiavone

Senior Executive - National Cyber Security Coordination Centre, MITA

Dr. Dimitrios Patsos is a Sr. Security Specialist with Microsoft. He has 25 years of experience in Cyber Security, having managed complex transformation projects for large-scale organizations in Europe, Middle East and Africa. He’s CISSP, CISM, CISA and CDPSE certified, and has been recently awarded the (ISC)2’s Global Achievement Award for his volunteering work with the Greek cyber security community.

Dimitrios Patsos

Sr. Security Specialist, Microsoft

EVENT DETAILS

Time: 08:00 am onwards

Venue: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta, Malta

Registration Fee: Free

PROGRAMME

Wednesday 26th October 2022

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8:00 – 9:00

REGISTRATION

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9:00 – 9:30

KEYNOTE SPEECHES

Tony Sultana – Principal Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister

Pascal Steichen – Chair of the ECCC Governing Board

Emanuel Darmanin – CEO at MITA

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9:30 – 9:50

OVERVIEW OF THE NCC

Jonathan Cassar – MITA CTO and Head of Information Security & Governance Department

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9:50 – 10:20

FIRESIDE CHAT ABOUT THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY

Katia BonelloProject Manager, National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre at MITA

Andrew Schembri – Senior Manager, Cybersecurity at PwC Malta

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10:20 – 10:50

THE MATURITY OF CYBERSECURITY IN MALTA

Abigail Agius Mamo – CEO, Malta Chamber of SMEs

Daniel Borg – CEO, Gozo Business Chamber

Marthese Vella – Lead Consultant, RSM Malta & Chamber of Commerce Representative

Martin Camilleri – Manager, Security Initiatives & MTCSIRT, MITA

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10:50 – 11:20

COFFEE BREAK

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11:20 – 11:50

ADDRESSING THE INVESTMENT NEEDS

Martina Bonanno – Associate Analyst, National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre at MITA

Yaneis Buhagiar Project Manager, Cyber Defense & Advanced Operations at MITA

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11:50 – 12:20

PANEL DISCUSSION TO ADDRESS THE SKILLS GAP

Carm Cachia Chief Administrator at eSkills Malta Foundation

Mark Vella Senior Lecturer at the University of Malta

Conrad Vassallo – Director, Institute of ICT at MCAST 

Keith Cutajar Vice President and Academic Chair at ISACA Malta Chapter

Grazio Grixti Director for Digital Literacy and Transversal Skills at the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research & Innovation

Kirsten CremonaSenior Manager, Cybersecurity at PwC Malta

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12:20 – 12:35

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY

Deborah Schiavone – Senior Executive, National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre at MITA

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12:35 – 12:50

CREATING GLOBAL IMPACT THROUGH CYBER SECURITY COMMUNITIES

Dimitrios Patsos – Sr. Security Specialist at Microsoft

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12:50 – 15:30

NETWORKING SESSION + LUNCH

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