Session 3.3e: Tutorial - Sovereign by Design: Embedding Supply Chain Resilience into Defence ICT Capability
Tracks
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| Thursday, November 20, 2025 |
| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
| Sutherland Theatre |
Details
The future of Australia's Defence capability is inseparable from the integrity of its digital supply chains. As Defence increasingly relies on complex ICT systems sourced from a globalised marketplace, the risk of foreign interference, cyber attack, and supply disruption is growing. Resilience must be embedded — not retrofitted — into how Defence designs, procures, and sustains ICT capability.
This session will explore how the Australian Defence Force and its industry partners can operationalise "sovereign by design" principles to secure critical supply chains. We will discuss emerging requirements under reforms such as the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act and the Defence Industry Security Program, the shift toward continuous assurance models, and how technologies like supply chain illumination, digital twins, and Zero Trust architectures can be used to anticipate and mitigate threats.
Rather than treating supply chain security as a compliance hurdle, this presentation reframes it as a strategic enabler of sovereign readiness, innovation, and advantage.
Speaker
Mr Andrew Bewick
Executive Director
Cyber Capability
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Biography
Andrew Bewick is an Executive Director at Cyber Capability, a specialist consultancy supporting Defence and government clients in cybersecurity, ICT modernisation, and digital resilience. He brings more than 30 years of experience across Defence, technology, and consulting sectors. Following 12 years of service in the Royal Australian Navy, Mr Bewick held senior leadership roles at IBM, DXC Technology, and Dell Technologies, where he was responsible for delivering major Defence programs and leading complex ICT transformation initiatives. His career has been defined by a focus on enhancing national security outcomes, improving organisational resilience, and strengthening sovereign digital capabilities.
In addition to his professional career, Mr Bewick is an accomplished athlete and coach. He has represented Australia at three Masters Indoor Hockey World Cups and remains actively engaged in the development of the sport at both club and national levels.
