Conveners
Think Global, Act Together: The Security Policy Alliance
- Iain Brown (Jisc)
- Erik Huizer (NREN Consulting)
- David Patterson (Jisc)
- David Batho (Jisc)
- Barb Carra (Cybera)
- Heidi Fraser-Krauss (Jisc)
- Amber McEwen (REANNZ Ltd)
Description
Cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated, transnational, and persistent - posing significant risks to research and education infrastructures worldwide. At TNC25, the concept of the Security Policy Alliance (SPA) was introduced to CEOs as a strategic initiative to unite NRENs in a global alliance for cybersecurity policy alignment, intelligence sharing, and collective resilience.
The NREN community is now a frequent target for cybercriminals and state‑sponsored actors. While operational cooperation exists, there is currently no strategic‑level coordination to address systemic, cross‑border risks. The SPA aims to fill this gap by creating a trusted framework for policy harmonisation, shared situational awareness, and coordinated incident response.
In this session, we will explore key themes in NREN cybersecurity and strategic alignment, highlighting both current challenges and areas for improvement. You will hear from NREN leaders about the risks they are facing, what strategic alignment can achieve, and why collaboration is essential in an era of rising geopolitical tension. You will also meet the emerging SPA Steering Group and learn how your NREN can get involved.
