The cyber perspective in Davos

As the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos approaches, we can learn about numerous sessions that may spark interest among Chief Information Security Officers and cyber strategists.

In an era when cyber threats are growing, it is crucial to stay ahead in cybersecurity. As Chief Information Security Officers and cyber strategists work hard to strengthen their defenses against more complex cyberattacks, the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) annual meetings become essential for sharing insights and new ideas.

Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum

The 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), set to take place from January 15 to January 19 in Davos, Switzerland, will gather a diverse group of participants, including government representatives, international organizations, and industry leaders. Centered around the theme “Rebuilding Trust,” the discussions will focus on vital principles for trust-building, such as transparency, consistency, and accountability.

For those interested in the sessions, there are several ways to engage:

WEF digital membership. By taking advantage of the WEF Digital Membership, you can access a comprehensive knowledge base, including articles, reports, podcasts, and intelligence briefings, which are crucial when assessing external factors that impact your cyber strategy. This membership also allows you to watch live broadcasts and recordings of selected sessions held during the WEF annual meeting. This year, the sessions will explore a range of topics, from the future of cybersecurity as detailed in the Cybersecurity Futures 2030 report to issues surrounding artificial intelligence, building trust around technology, and the cybersecurity of smart cities.

Open Forum. Additionally, the Open Forum offers extra sessions open to the public, focusing on sharing insights, experiences, and stories on pressing issues. Sessions like “Primer on AI” and “Cracking the Code: Navigating Cybersecurity” can be especially useful for cyber strategists.

Other opportunities. Beyond these structured programs, the WEF Annual Meeting can be experienced through various digital mediums. You can stay updated through social media channels, dedicated news feeds on select platforms, and podcast series like Radio Davos or Meet the Leader. These platforms offer a dynamic way to follow the meetings’ events, discussions, and developments. For a comprehensive overview of these digital engagement opportunities, visit How to Follow the Annual Meeting 2024.

Supporting events

During the WEF annual meeting, Davos becomes a vibrant hub of activities. Many other organizations set up additional events to connect with their communities and foster meaningful dialogue. Here is a list of organizations present in Davos this year, offering topics likely to interest you as a cyber strategist. The list is in alphabetical order and may not be exhaustive:

Accenture. Accenture at WEF in 2024 will focus on topics related to Generative AI as a key driver for business reinvention. They aim to assist leaders like you in defining the next steps for scaling generative AI across organizations and value chains. Their website features several reports on the topic, such as “Total Enterprise Reinvention: Setting a new performance frontier,” “AI for everyone,” and “Accenture Pulse of Change,” which could be particularly insightful for understanding the overall market and technology landscape from your perspective.

AI House. AI House is an initiative led by organizations such as Merantix, ETH AI Center, Swisscom, Institute for AI and Beyond, G42, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. At AI House in Davos, 21 partners will spend five days discussing the state of AI, opportunities and risks associated with AI, applications of AI, and how AI can revolutionize existing business structures. These discussions, featuring panels, roundtables, and various other formats, will touch on crucial aspects such as trust, risks, and the secure adoption of AI capabilities. The full meeting agenda is available on their website, where you can sign up for intriguing sessions.

Axios. Axios is set to convene global leaders from public and private sectors for compelling conversations and networking opportunities at their Axios House Davos event. This event will feature thematic sessions organized by various companies, discussing artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and cybersecurity topics. On their website, you can view the complete agenda and register for the most relevant events.

Deloitte. Deloitte will be hosting a Deloitte Haus on the Davos Promenade, aiming to connect with leaders, speakers, and innovative solutions that align with the WEF Annual Meeting’s theme of Rebuilding Trust. The topics they plan to present, such as mitigating global financial crime, executing trustworthy AI, and embarking on a generative AI transformation journey, are accessible via broadcasts. You can register for these sessions through the Deloitte website.

HCLTech. HCLTech promises a series of thought-provoking conversations over three days in Davos, focusing on disruptive technologies. Sessions that might interest you include “Banking on trust through transformative tech” and “Tech-led disruption, opportunities and impact.”

WiseKey. On January 17, WiseKey is organizing an event to convene a diverse panel of experts, including AI researchers, technologists, and policymakers. They will discuss strategies for the secure adoption of AI capabilities, focusing on AI safety protocols and the implications of decentralized AI systems on privacy and control.

Below is a curated list of sessions that could be interesting for CISOs and cyber strategists, offering a good source of insights on recent technology advancements, associated risks, and potential solutions. The list only covers some sessions, and the agendas may change. To ensure you have the most current information before attending a selected meeting, please refer to the websites of the respective session organizers. Also, note that most of these events require signing up on their websites.