NZTech Inform – ensuring digital trust

NZTech is hosting its annual Cyber Security Summit on the 25-26 July in Wellington, in collaboration with Brightstar events. As our lives and work become more reliant on the digital environment so does the need for our ability to trust the digital environment. Cyber security is crucial for enabling an environment of trust in digital technologies.  During the Summit I am hosting an exclusive VIP session with the Tech Leaders Group and invited guests to focus our insights on the potential for an Aotearoa New Zealand Cyber Maturity Model.  The aim is to help smaller firms determine where to place their security efforts and what’s next.

Immediately following the Cyber Security Summit we are collaborating with Digital Identity NZ for a day focused on digital trust, the Digital Trust Hui Taumata. Global digital identity and trust expert David Birch is visiting from the United Kingdom to discuss the challenges of identity in the growing metaverse and the emergence of a reputation economy.  

Research by Digital Identity NZ has found two thirds of Kiwis are more likely to go online to do things, rather than face to face. However, the increasing use of platforms and services can easily be shaken if people lose trust in the digital environment. At the same time, if there is a high level of trust, there is an increased use of digital tools and services, which leads to greater competition, higher productivity and better outcomes for everyone.

Another Summit speaker is Potatoes New Zealand’s CEO, Chris Claridge. He is passionate about horticulture and the potential for tech to add value to New Zealand’s primary produce. Digital trust is also becoming increasingly important in the physical world as customers seek evidence of sustainable production and the provenance of our agricultural products. Few topics are as critical to Aotearoa’s future prosperity and the wellbeing of its people as trust. Establishing and maintaining trust in the digital world is relevant to everyone, so if you haven’t registered, don’t miss out!

Tomorrow in Tauranga there is a free workshop for tech firms on how to leverage the Tech Story to help you attract talent, funding or offshore opportunities. Find out how to use the wealth of assets and support to tell your own story. Register here.

Also this week, AgriTechNZ are hosting their Annual General Meeting and the IoT Alliance, Digital Identity NZ and LocationTechNZ have their executive council meetings. Plus, NZTech board nominations close on Wednesday. 

Next week, I will be back in Wellington for a further session with IT Professionals CEO, Vic MacLennan and multiple Government departments and agencies.  We will be discussing the many important digital skills pathway initiatives identified in the Digital Tech Industry Transformation Plan. Unfortunately, none of the $20 million in budget funding was allocated to skills, which is unacceptable given how critical they are! We are now working with like minded people from across the Government to explore opportunities using regular agency funding.

Ngā mihi 

Graeme Muller
CEO
NZTech

PS: Missed out on tickets to the 2022 Hi-Tech Awards? Join the celebrations online on Friday 5 August at 6.30pm.