Programme tutors

Tony Hughes, Cyber Security Strategy & Policy Advisor, NI Department for the Economy

Tony Hughes is currently developing NI's cyber security strategy for the Department for the Economy and advises bodies such as Invest NI on cyber risk. Tony has previously provided cyber risk advice to NI Executive departments including on cyber risks surrounding the 2013 G8 visit.

Tony is a founder member of the Institute of Information Security Professionals. He has also developed training for UK government IT auditors and lectured in Europe on various aspects of cyber risk and IT security auditing required by EU regulation.

A qualified Certified Ethical Hacker, Tony is also a CISSP, Digital Fraud Investigator, a Certified Internal
Auditor, and a UK National Cyber Security Centre Certified Cyber Professional.

William O’Brien, Director, PwC Cyber Security, Privacy and Forensics

William O'Brien works at director level in PwC with overall responsibility for Forensic Technology, operational management and GDPR engagements. William has led work streams in a number of large and small scale cyber investigations throughout Ireland and Europe. He has also provided computer evidence and has given expert testimony in the Irish courts. He is also a regular speaker and guest lecturer on the subject of cyber security.

William is a GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE) and Analyst (GCFA). He holds the PRINCE2 certification in project management and has also completed the globally recognised Leading for
Organisational Impact credential at the Centre for Creative Leadership in Brussels.

Gordon Wade, Data Protection Officer & Legal Counsel, Hostelworld Group

Gordon Wade brings ten years' legal experience in the Big Four and a number of top law
firms, specialising in data protection law. He has published widely on the subject of data privacy including in academic journals, newspapers, and textbooks.

Gordon regularly advises domestic and multinational technology clients on their European-wide compliance obligations under data protection law. Gordon assisted several Irish public bodies and financial institutions in their preparations for the General Data Protection Regulation coming into force.

Gordon is an IAPP Fellow of Information Privacy and a Certified Privacy Management Professional. Gordon holds certifications in data protection from the Law Society of Ireland together with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in law from University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin. He was previously a solicitor with a major Dublin law firm and prior to that a leading international law firm in London.