From Maslow to Malware: Rethinking Cyber Leadership in the Age of AI

What if your biggest cyber risk wasn’t a hacker—but human nature? In this provocative session, we reframe cybersecurity through the lens of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to explore why so many businesses fail at the basics. We’ll unpack how unmet human needs—like safety, trust, and belonging—create blind spots leaders can’t afford to ignore. Whether you're new to cyber or building your influence, this talk will shift your thinking from quick fixes to long-term foundations—and challenge you to lead from the front.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership is your first line of defence—and culture follows its example.
• The human needs behind security behaviours—and how to meet them meaningfully.
• How to uncover “invisible vulnerabilities” like fear, fatigue, and misaligned values.
• Why tools don’t build trust—and how to align strategy, story, and security.
• How to lead with clarity and conviction in a fast-changing digital world.