Winning the Boardroom: Helping Businesses Lead, Not Just Comply

The session highlights that many cyber security failures are rooted in leadership gaps rather than technical shortcomings. Boards and CEOs must move from reactive responses to proactive readiness, yet many remain underprepared for evolving cyber risks. Darren Argyle, Former Group Chief Information Security Risk Officer & Board Advisor at Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore), cites the Qantas breach to illustrate how punitive measures against executives often reflect insufficient board education and governance. Cyber security leaders cannot drive cultural change alone; CEO sponsorship, executive alignment, and influence are essential. With AI adoption accelerating, the challenge is compounded: 62% of organisations operate with basic or minimal AI governance, only 3% have automated decision-making, and just 1% feel fully prepared to safely harness AI. This exposes organisations to poor data quality, unclear accountability, and shadow AI risks, even as 45% of digital leaders expect ROI within a year. Soft skills—communication, influence, and stakeholder engagement—are…