Australia's Premier National Security Summit Since 2002

Speaker Announcements:
Technology, Resilience and Australia’s Strategic Edge

Australia’s security environment is becoming increasingly complex, shaped by rapid technological change, intensifying strategic competition and growing pressures on national resilience.

Safeguarding Australia Summit 2026 is pleased to announce key confirmed speakers for this year’s program.

Ciara Spencer

Deputy Secretary, Law Enforcement and Domestic Security, Department of Home Affairs

Ciara Spencer will address:
Technology, Deterrence and the Strategic Edge

As emerging technologies reshape how nations deter, compete and operate, technological advantage is increasingly defined by the ability to harness artificial intelligence, integrate data and secure critical systems.

Hamish Hansford

Deputy Secretary, Head of National Security,
Department of Home Affairs

Hamish Hansford will address:
Whole-of-Nation Resilience and Preparedness

As Australia faces growing internal and external pressures, resilience has become a core national security challenge. This session will examine how government, industry and communities can strengthen preparedness and sustain national resilience in a contested environment.

Strategic Focus Areas:
🔹 Alliances, middle powers and collective security
🔹 Supply chains, critical inputs and operational continuity
🔹 Technology, cyber resilience and decision advantage
🔹 Sovereign capability and defence industrial resilience
🔹 National preparedness and whole-of-nation resilience 

The Full Summit Experience Includes:
✦ One-and-a-half days of high-level plenary sessions
✦ Networking Drinks with senior leaders across government, defence and industry
✦ Signature Summit Dinner and Keynote Address
✦ Interactive Leadership Forum (limited participation)

Explore the full summit program - Additional speaker announcements will be released in the coming weeks.

Secure your participation at Safeguarding Australia 2026