On 12 September 2025, the Institute of Strategic Risk Management (ISRM) Ireland Chapter hosted its highly anticipated symposium, Operation NextGen Catalyst, at the prestigious Salesforce Tower in Dublin. Themed “Emerging Technologies: Navigating Opportunities and Risks While Future-Proofing Talent and Skills for the Next Decade,” this event brought together 45 security professionals, academics, policymakers, and industry leaders from Ireland and beyond. Jointly endorsed by leading organisations and sponsored by Manguard Plus, Pulse Security, and Marsh, the symposium was a dynamic blend of thought-provoking presentations, an engaging tabletop exercise, and vibrant networking opportunities. Attendees left energised, inspired, and equipped with actionable insights to tackle the evolving landscape of next-generation security challenges.
The event was meticulously organised by the ISRM Ireland Chapter team, led by Chair Garry Bergin, alongside Vice Chair and Military Liaison Paul Kellett, outgoing Secretary Finbarr McCarthy, WIS/YP Liaison Rayssa Rodrigues Vitorio, and Law Enforcement Liaison Simon Ball. Garry and Paul have built a legacy of championing collaboration and innovation, which this symposium exemplified.
The day began at 08:30 with registration and tea/coffee, setting a lively tone as delegates networked in the modern surroundings of Salesforce Tower. Discussions ranged from AI-driven threats to workforce reskilling, creating an immediate buzz. The event adhered to strict symposium rules, including respect for the venue, diverse opinions, and the Chatham House Rule, which enabled open dialogue without attribution. Psychological safety protocols ensured a supportive environment, while a no-laptops-on-tables policy and silenced phones kept everyone fully engaged.
Opening Address by Garry Bergin and Paul Kellett
The symposium officially commenced at 09:00 with a powerful opening address by Garry Bergin and Paul Kellett, who set an inspiring tone for the day. As Chair and Vice Chair of the ISRM Ireland Chapter, they welcomed attendees with warmth and vision, emphasising Dublin’s role as a hub for innovation and security leadership. Garry and Paul highlighted the transformative potential of technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, blockchain, and extended reality, while stressing the ethical and strategic responsibilities that accompany their adoption. They framed the day’s activities, particularly the “FutureCorp” tabletop exercise, as a chance to integrate technology with human skills and values to build resilient, inclusive organisations. Their address was a rallying call to think boldly, collaborate across disciplines, and prepare for the opportunities and risks of the next decade. Attendees were captivated, with one noting, “Garry and Paul’s passion for the profession was infectious—it set the perfect stage for the day.”
Speaker 1: Rachel Webb – “Next-Gen Threats: Your Risk Management Playbook”
Rachel Webb CSyP, MA, delivered the first keynote, “Next-Gen Threats: Your Risk Management Playbook.” A Chartered Security Professional and newly elected Director of the Security Institute, Rachel brought a wealth of experience from her 12-year career in the British Army Intelligence Corps, where she specialised in counterintelligence and collaborated with national agencies on counterespionage operations. Transitioning to the private sector, she led commercial security sales teams and served as Chief Commercial Officer before becoming Chief Security Risk Officer at The Keyholding Company. There, she developed award-winning risk assessment software aligned with her research.
Rachel’s presentation was a compelling call to shift from reactive to proactive risk management. She opened with a bold statement: “The threats of tomorrow aren’t waiting for us to be ready – and neither are the opportunities.” She outlined why a new playbook is needed, citing accelerating threat complexity, rapid technological change, talent and skills gaps, and the necessity for proactive resilience.
Rachel detailed the next-generation threat landscape, including converged threats (e.g., AI-enabled deepfakes and autonomous drones targeting critical infrastructure), supply chain instability, tech-enabled physical threats (like 3D-printed weapons or the 2024 Hezbollah device sabotage), climate-driven risks, and “Insider Threat 2.0” fuelled by economic pressures and ideological radicalisation. She placed the human factor at the core, discussing generational workforce changes, hybrid work challenges, psychological safety, and economic stressors driving theft and fraud.
Proposing solutions, Rachel advocated using AI for threat detection, blockchain for supply chain integrity, AR/VR for training, and drone countermeasures. Her “Next Gen” playbook emphasised human-centric threat assessments, cross-domain thinking and intelligence sharing, continuous skills development, and a culture of learning. She called for horizon scanning, scenario-based exercises, red-teaming, behavioural training, and adaptive risk frameworks.
For future-proofing talent, Rachel identified critical skills for 2030: AI literacy, cross-cultural intelligence, crisis communication in disinformation environments, and ESG integration. She shared recruitment strategies, lifelong CPD through university partnerships and micro-credentialing, and leadership imperatives like championing converged security and building cross-sector alliances.
Attendees were enthralled by Rachel’s blend of military precision and practical insights. “Her focus on insider threats was a game-changer,” one delegate remarked. “It’s about people as much as tech.” The session sparked lively discussions during the subsequent tea break, with participants eager to apply her strategies.
Speaker 2: Kevin Minihane – “Unseen Tactics: Harnessing OSINT, Social Engineering, and Clandestine Tools”
Kevin Minihane delivered a riveting presentation, “Unseen Tactics: Harnessing OSINT, Social Engineering, and Clandestine Tools.” Kevin’s career began in 1985 with the Irish Naval Service, where he served as a medical orderly, including UNIFIL operations and search-and-rescue missions. In 1992, he transitioned to IT at the Naval Computer Centre, developing secure scripting for naval vessels. Post-military, he worked with multinationals like Motorola and Hewlett-Packard, implementing secure networks. Recently, he led the deployment of Aruba ClearPass for a major government agency and supports NFV-based services for a large mobile operator. Kevin holds a BSc (Hons) in Computing & IT, a Diploma in Applied Project Management, and certifications like Cisco CCIE and Aruba ClearPass.
Kevin’s session explored threats blending digital and physical domains, starting with an audience poll on social engineering experiences, referencing the 2021 HSE cyberattack that impacted Ireland. He defined OSINT as gathering data from public sources like social media and databases, highlighting its physical risks e.g., photos exposing building layouts or staff routines.
He detailed advanced OSINT techniques: metadata extraction from photos (GPS, timestamps), geolocation via Suncalc and Google Earth, Wi-Fi mapping with WiGLE, and social graph analysis. Showcasing tools like Maltego for visual links, SpiderFoot for automated scans, and Recon-ng for modular exploration, Kevin demonstrated how these reveal vulnerabilities like badge leaks or camera IPs.
On social engineering, Kevin covered psychological tactics exploiting trust, urgency, fear, pretexting, and rapport and shared case studies: the 2020 Twitter Bitcoin scam, Google/Facebook invoice fraud, and the HSE attack via a phishing CV deploying Conti ransomware, encrypting 80% of systems. He then introduced clandestine tools: USB Rubber Ducky for keystroke injection, Bash Bunny for payload chaining, Key Croc for remote keylogging, and Flipper Zero for RFID/NFC cloning, sub-GHz replay attacks, infrared spoofing, and Bluetooth recon. Real-world demos showed Flipper unlocking doors and jamming locks, while Kevin addressed ethics and legality, stressing consent and regulatory trends.
Key takeaways included OSINT as a physical risk, social engineering’s human exploitation, and the accessibility of tools like Flipper Zero. Kevin promoted legal practice through CTFs, Hack The Box, and various security communities. Attendees were captivated; “Kevin’s Flipper Zero demo was a wake-up call for our access controls,” one said. The tea break that followed buzzed with excitement.
Speaker 3: Dr. Vladimir Bunic – “Emerging Technologies in Converged Security Systems – Navigating Opportunities and Risks”
At 11:15, Dr. Vladimir Bunic presented “Emerging Technologies in Converged Security Systems – Navigating Opportunities and Risks” via an engaging Prezi. With over 20 years in converged security, Vladimir is a 2025 Global Recognition Award recipient, holding a PhD in cybersecurity and pursuing a DBA in Digital Transformation and an LL.D in Digital Security & Resilience. As a strategic advisor and educator, he blends physical and cyber defences, focusing on risk assessment, resilience, and innovation.
Vladimir’s session explored integrating emerging technologies into security, defining convergence and its benefits for holistic protection. He highlighted opportunities: AI for predictive analytics, IoT for real-time monitoring, blockchain for tamper-proof records, and cloud computing for scalability. Risks included cyber vulnerabilities, data privacy, integration complexities, and ethical issues like AI bias.
Through case studies, he demonstrated how AI-enhanced surveillance reduces false alarms but raises privacy concerns, and how IoT in smart buildings improves efficiency while exposing attack vectors. Vladimir proposed solutions: robust risk assessments, layered security, continuous training, and ethical frameworks. He stressed future-proofing via adaptive systems, regulatory compliance, and cross-functional collaboration.
Attendees praised Vladimir’s visionary yet practical approach. “His balance of opportunities and risks tied perfectly into the day’s theme,” one noted. The interactive Prezi enhanced engagement, leaving delegates inspired to rethink security architectures.
Presentation of Fellowships and Recognitions
The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam, presented five prestigious ISRM Fellowships to Rachel Webb, Kevin Minihane, Dr Vladimir Bunic, Mihai-Cozmin Iușan (EMEA GSOC Manager at Salesforce, with 20+ years in tech security), and Jason Banks (Supervisory Special Agent, U.S. Department of State, leading Embassy Ireland’s security). These honours celebrated their outstanding contributions to strategic risk management. Congratulations to these well-deserving recipients, whose expertise elevates the profession!
The event also recognised Finbarr McCarthy with a Certificate of Appreciation for his dedicated two-year term as Chapter Secretary. Finbarr’s invaluable work strengthened the chapter significantly. We warmly welcomed Daragh Bolton as the new Secretary, anticipating his dynamic leadership.
Lunch and networking from 13:00 to 14:00 offered a relaxed setting for connections, with delegates exchanging ideas and contacts over excellent cuisine.
The Tabletop Exercise: Operation NextGen Catalyst
At 14:00, the “FutureCorp” tabletop exercise began, simulating a 2035 scenario where teams navigated emerging tech challenges for a global leader. Designed to enhance decision-making, teamwork, communication, and adaptability, it unfolded in four phases.
Phase 1 (Opportunity Analysis) tasked teams with identifying four technologies AI/ML, quantum computing, blockchain, and XR—and exploring revenue streams, competitive advantages (e.g., operational efficiency, trust), and required skills/roles (e.g., technical, cybersecurity, leadership). Facilitators’ responses fuelled dynamic discussions.
Phase 2 (Risk Assessment) examined ethical dilemmas (e.g., AI bias, privacy concerns), regulatory barriers (e.g., conflicting global laws), third-party dependencies (e.g., data breaches), and cybersecurity vulnerabilities (e.g., weak access controls).
After a quick tea break,
Phase 3 (Workforce Strategy) outlined reskilling initiatives (e.g., digital literacy, AI integration), reducing anxiety via transparent communication, and partnerships with universities/tech firms.
Phase 4 (Vision and Planning) developed a 10-year roadmap, envisioning global leadership, ethical tech integration, and cultural shifts like embedding ethics and long-term thinking.
The debrief awarded certificates and closed with enthusiastic remarks. Participants loved the exercise’s realism: “It was immersive, fun, and packed with practical insights,” one said.
A Positive Review: Everyone Had a Ball!
Operation NextGen Catalyst was a resounding success, with attendees describing it as a joyous, transformative experience. Amazing nuggets of knowledge, information, and experience were shared from Rachel’s proactive risk strategies to Kevin’s eye-opening tool demos and Vladimir’s visionary convergence insights. Garry and Paul’s opening address inspired, the Fellowships celebrated excellence, and the tabletop exercise galvanised collaboration. Feedback forms overflowed with praise: “The best security event I’ve attended, practical, positive, and pivotal.” Kudos to the ISRM team for their voluntary efforts, delivering a stellar symposium that truly future-proofs Ireland’s security landscape.
Here’s to the next one!
