Discussing Data Protection in the Face of Evolving Cybersecurity Threats at the ICGFM Winter Symposium

On December 8-9, the International Consortium on Governmental Financial Management (ICGFM) virtually conducted the Winter Symposium Dawn of a New Day: Addressing Global Challenges, where Mr. Aleksi Aleksishvili, CEO and Chairman at PMCG, moderated a panel presentation and discussion entitled Protecting Data in the Face of Evolving Cybersecurity Threats.

Cybersecurity, protection of sensitive and critical data of governments, the private sector, and users have all been challenged by increasing cyber-attacks in recent years, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. With this in mind, PMCG gathered leading professionals to share their experiences and opinions regarding cybersecurity to gain valuable perspectives from the private sector, government, and academia.

Bobby Jefferson, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, DAI Global Health, Sergo Turmanidze, Acting Head of the Office of the National Security Council of Georgia, and Dr. Jacek Gajewski, International Projects Coordinator at National Centre for Nuclear Research (Poland) discussed emerging cyber threats, threat management, and best practices in data protection.

“A recent rise in the number of cyber-attacks has increased the focus on cybersecurity and critical infrastructure. Cybersecurity is a global problem, and is particularly important in our times in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, as public finances, economies, and security have never been so closely connected as they are today. To address this global challenge, we have gathered experienced panelists from different backgrounds and countries to share their experiences and opinions, and to discuss what governments, the private sector, international development institutions, academia, or people in general can do to help in this regard,” said Aleksishvili.

The virtual event convened leading experts and PFM professionals from across the globe with the aim of ascertaining how the global community can build on and sustain efficiency gains made in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic while addressing the urgent priorities of climate change, social inclusion, and the security of critical information.

The ICGFM is a leading non-profit membership association, unique in the financial management community, which unites government entities, private firms, professional associations, and university departments as well as individuals devoted to improving financial management.