Session 1.7b Conference Product Brief: Secure AI, Cyber Resilience and Private 5G at the Tactical Edge
Tracks
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| Tuesday, November 17, 2026 |
| 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM |
| Bradman Theatre |
Sponsored by
Presentation Outline
Modern defence forces must operate in increasingly contested, congested, and denied environments. The ability to fight dispersed, communicate securely across coalition partners, and make faster decisions at the point of action is no longer aspirational — it is an operational imperative. Meeting this challenge demands three converging capabilities at the tactical edge: resilient private communications, trusted artificial intelligence, and end-to-end cyber security.
In this session, DXC Technology discusses a field-proven approach that integrates Private 5G networking, Secure AI, and a cyber resilience framework to deliver decision advantage where it matters most — forward of fixed infrastructure.
• Private 5G at the Edge delivers a rapidly deployable, cableless communications fabric using quantum-safe encryption, zero trust network access, and software-defined radios. We will discuss how sovereign, spectrum-controlled 5G networks enable dispersed headquarters, forward operating bases, and mobile formations to maintain bearer-agnostic connectivity and secure coalition interoperability — even when primary communications are degraded or denied.
• Secure AI and Cyber Governance at the Edge extends this foundation with edge compute for AI-powered situational awareness, sensor fusion, and decision support on hardened platforms designed for forward operations. We will demonstrate how AI models are governed under a Defence-grade cyber security framework — explainable, adversary-resistant, and compliant with accreditation requirements from development through operational deployment and continuous monitoring.
DXC continues to support the Defence Mission — drawing on proven allied defence experience and its role as a service integrator — is helping defence forces close the gap between strategic intent and tactical reality, securely, from cloud to the edge.
Speaker
Mr Hans Tench
General Manager, Defence Portfolio Australia
DXC Technology
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Biography
Hans brings more than 45 years’ experience across Defence, Industry and Federal Government, with deep expertise in business growth, major program capture and strategic partnership development across Australia and the Asia Pacific. Hans served 20 years in the Royal Australian Navy, achieving the rank of Warrant Officer, before transitioning to senior executive roles at Lockheed Martin and most recently Leidos, where he served as AUKUS Lead and APAC Growth Lead.
During his time at Leidos, Hans played an integral role in major national programs, including the Australian Taxation Office End User Computing (EUC) IT Outsourcing initiative and the Australian Defence Force Centralised Computing (CP) Program, helping to build and scale the business significantly across the region.
During his time at Leidos, Hans played an integral role in major national programs, including the Australian Taxation Office End User Computing (EUC) IT Outsourcing initiative and the Australian Defence Force Centralised Computing (CP) Program, helping to build and scale the business significantly across the region.
Mr Andrew Valentine
Chief AI Officer, Asia Pacific and Japan
DXC Technology
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Biography
Andrew works with clients to navigate the rapidly evolving impact of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies on business strategy, operating models and enterprise transformation.
With more than 30 years of experience across the commercial and public sectors, Andrew has held senior leadership, strategy and technology roles spanning Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States. His career includes global executive roles with DXC Technology and Hewlett Packard, as well as six years leading his own consulting business.
Andrew brings a broad combination of experience across business strategy, technology, sales and operations, with more than two decades spent helping governments and enterprises adapt, grow and thrive through periods of technology-led disruption. Throughout his career, Andrew has benefited from exposure to emerging technology and horizon thinking through HP Labs, combined with insights gained from working with C-suite executives addressing complex business and technology challenges globally. Today, he draws on this experience to help DXC clients across APJ understand the implications of AI, translate emerging technology into enterprise value, and build the capabilities required to adopt and scale it responsibly.
With more than 30 years of experience across the commercial and public sectors, Andrew has held senior leadership, strategy and technology roles spanning Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States. His career includes global executive roles with DXC Technology and Hewlett Packard, as well as six years leading his own consulting business.
Andrew brings a broad combination of experience across business strategy, technology, sales and operations, with more than two decades spent helping governments and enterprises adapt, grow and thrive through periods of technology-led disruption. Throughout his career, Andrew has benefited from exposure to emerging technology and horizon thinking through HP Labs, combined with insights gained from working with C-suite executives addressing complex business and technology challenges globally. Today, he draws on this experience to help DXC clients across APJ understand the implications of AI, translate emerging technology into enterprise value, and build the capabilities required to adopt and scale it responsibly.
Mr Tim West
Global Solution CTO, Consulting & Engineering Service
DXC Technology
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Biography
As the Global Solutions CTO for Consulting & Engineering Services (CES), Tim responsible for the Tech & Portfolio Office which sets technology strategy for the portfolio of offerings and solutions that CES takes to market worldwide. Working closely with customers and DXC leadership, he ensures that what CES designs, builds and delivers is consistent, repeatable and grounded in measurable business value.
Tim has almost 30 years’ experience in digital platforms spanning almost every continent. He has previously led many of the Offerings within CES globally and across APJMEA. His varied background has seen him leading strategy, technical, customer experience, infrastructure and project management teams with a focus on business and customer outcomes. He has worked in most industry verticals for companies such as BBC, Audi, Glencore, Jollibee and Qantas in both customer and consulting roles. What makes Tim effective in the role is the rare breadth of his experience. Having worked on both the customer and consulting sides of the table — and across strategy, technical delivery, customer experience, infrastructure and programme leadership — he is as comfortable shaping business strategy in a boardroom as he is in the detail of a technical solution. He leads by aligning technology and people with customer and business strategy.
Tim grew up in the UK, in London and Edinburgh, and has a Bachelor of Sociology from the University of York. He met an Australian girl who was travelling through London and she persuaded him to move to Melbourne, Australia, where he now lives. He enjoys skiing, nerding out on home automation, avoiding arguments about which nation has the best cricket team, and spending time with his family.
Tim has almost 30 years’ experience in digital platforms spanning almost every continent. He has previously led many of the Offerings within CES globally and across APJMEA. His varied background has seen him leading strategy, technical, customer experience, infrastructure and project management teams with a focus on business and customer outcomes. He has worked in most industry verticals for companies such as BBC, Audi, Glencore, Jollibee and Qantas in both customer and consulting roles. What makes Tim effective in the role is the rare breadth of his experience. Having worked on both the customer and consulting sides of the table — and across strategy, technical delivery, customer experience, infrastructure and programme leadership — he is as comfortable shaping business strategy in a boardroom as he is in the detail of a technical solution. He leads by aligning technology and people with customer and business strategy.
Tim grew up in the UK, in London and Edinburgh, and has a Bachelor of Sociology from the University of York. He met an Australian girl who was travelling through London and she persuaded him to move to Melbourne, Australia, where he now lives. He enjoys skiing, nerding out on home automation, avoiding arguments about which nation has the best cricket team, and spending time with his family.
Mr Daniel Churches
Director Cybersecurity APJ-MEA
DXC Technology
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Biography
Daniel Churches is Director, Cybersecurity Operations APJ-MEA at DXC Technology, where he helps organizations strengthen cyber resilience, securely adopt AI, and navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape. With more than 25 years of experience across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, China, Japan, South Korea and India, he has led large-scale cybersecurity and technology transformation programs for government and enterprise clients.
Daniel is a recognized thought leader in cyber resilience, AI governance and data sovereignty, with expertise spanning Zero Trust, AI security, orchestration, and NDR/EDR solutions. He regularly advises executives, boards and industry groups on emerging cyber risks, regulation and technology change.
Daniel is a recognized thought leader in cyber resilience, AI governance and data sovereignty, with expertise spanning Zero Trust, AI security, orchestration, and NDR/EDR solutions. He regularly advises executives, boards and industry groups on emerging cyber risks, regulation and technology change.
