Registration and Networking

Ice breaker & brief introduction to the masterclass 

Morning session commences

Strategic Overview of Modern Cyber Threats and Fraud Techniques

The evolving landscape of cyber threats and fraud presents unprecedented challenges for organisations globally. Modern threat actors employ sophisticated techniques that combine social engineering, advanced technology, and psychological manipulation to exploit vulnerabilities in both systems and human behavior.

1.Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) and Nation-State activities of global intelligence operations and critical infrastructure.
2.Social engineering and digital fraud impersonation schemes: phishing techniques, deepfake manipulation, supply chain infiltration and business email compromise.
3.Technology-enabled attack vectors: AI powered malware, IoT exploitation, cloud security breach, quantum computing and automation attacks.

Case Study: Arup - $25 million Deepfake Scam

Arup, a multinational professional services firm specializing in engineering and design, fell victim to a sophisticated deepfake scam. The Arup deepfake scam was a significant cybersecurity incident that highlighted the evolving sophistication of AI-powered fraud techniques.

Morning break

Morning session re-commences

Early Anomaly Detection and AI-Driven Fraud Identification

In an era where data drives decision-making, the ability to detect anomalies early is critical for minimising risks, optimising operations, and enhancing system resilience. Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) offer transformative capabilities to identify irregularities in data patterns, enabling organisations to respond proactively to potential issues before they escalate.

This session explores the development and implementation of AI-powered frameworks for anomaly detection. Participants will learn how advanced algorithms, predictive analytics, and real-time monitoring systems can uncover hidden threats, streamline operations, and safeguard critical assets. From detecting cybersecurity breaches to preempting operational disruptions, the discussion will highlight practical applications, challenges, and best practices for leveraging AI and ML to drive actionable insights and maintain a competitive edge.

1.Anomaly pattern recognition systems including machine learning algorithms for transaction monitoring, behavioral analytics and user profiling, neural networks for pattern detection and real-time alert generation.
2.Predictive analytics for historical data analysis and fraud scenarios.
3.Exploring ML algorithms and AI techniques for detecting deviations in data and addressing data quality, scalability, and false positive issues.

Case Study: The Epsilon Financial AI Shield

Epsilon Financial, a leading payment processing company handling over $3 billion in daily transactions, implemented a revolutionary AI-driven fraud detection system called "AI Shield" that fundamentally transformed their security posture and demonstrated the power of advanced anomaly detection.

Lunch

Breakout Session

Peer Wisdom Exchange: Security Leadership Challenges
Duration: 30 minutes

Activity Overview:

This peer-to-peer learning activity leverages the collective experience in the room by having participants share their approaches to common cybersecurity and fraud prevention leadership challenges. The structured exchange format ensures everyone contributes and benefits from the diverse perspectives present.

Group Discussion (10 minutes)

1.Each group discusses their assigned challenge scenario

2.Together they identify 2-3 key strategies that have proven effective

Challenge Scenarios:

1.How do you secure executive buy-in for security investments when facing resistance?

2.What techniques have you used to effectively communicate technical risks to non-technical stakeholders?

3.How have you successfully integrated AI tools into your security operations?

4.What approaches work best when building security awareness across different departments?

5.How have you measured the effectiveness of your fraud prevention program?

Presentation (20 minutes)

1.One representative from each group will share their experiences, approaches, and lessons learned related to the challenge

Afternoon break

Evening session commences

Cyber Governance and Risk Management Frameworks

The relentless evolution of cyber threats is systematically challenging the integrity of critical infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific region. From smart cities in Singapore to advanced manufacturing in Japan, and from telecommunications networks in Australia to energy systems in China, the technological landscape faces unprecedented cybersecurity challenges.

This session delves into the evolving landscape of cybersecurity policies and frameworks that promote robust solutions for developing cyber-resilient systems equipped to combat and respond to sophisticated frauds.

1.How can regional initiatives, such as ASEAN cybersecurity frameworks, drive collective resilience?

2.How are national cybersecurity centers and cross-border initiatives addressing evolving threats?

3.What do new and upcoming regulations, such as the Singapore Cybersecurity Act, Australia's Critical Infrastructure Risk Management Program and NIST Cybersecurity Framework mean for businesses operating in critical sectors.

Case Study: APAC Energy Consortium - Cross-Border Critical Infrastructure Resilience

The APAC Energy Consortium (AEC), a collaborative network of energy providers spanning Singapore, Australia, Japan, and Malaysia, faced a critical turning point in late 2023 when a sophisticated threat actor exploited regulatory and governance gaps across jurisdictional boundaries, targeting their interconnected energy management systems.

Masterclass concludes