Cybersecurity | The Role of the Board

Neal Mullen is a seasoned cybersecurity and resilience leader with over three decades of global experience spanning the Healthcare, Manufacturing, Technology, and Retail sectors. As Chief Information Security Officer and National Director of Cybersecurity at Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE), Neal leads critical initiatives to strengthen national cyber defence and operational resilience. He is also a Board Advisory Director for the Safehouse Initiative, a not-for-profit organisation working with CISA to streamline the adoption of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework for SMEs. A recognised thought leader in cyber risk management, Neal holds an MSc in Technology & Innovation Management and an extensive suite of professional certifications, including Certified Cyber Risk Officer, Certified in NIST, NIS2 and DORA, alongside MBCI and DBCI designations. His pioneering work in resilience strategies earned him the 2019 BCI Global Resilience Professional of the Year award and induction into the BCI Hall of Fame for his international contributions to cyber and organisational resilience. Throughout his career, Neal has played a key role in shaping the security and resilience strategies of global enterprises including CRH, Arvato Bertelsmann, KPMG, Dunnes Stores, and Infosys. His expertise has supported the cyber posture of leading organisations such as Microsoft, Google, Apple, Dell, and Mastercard, demonstrating his ability to lead in complex, rapidly evolving threat landscapes while fostering a culture of trust and innovation. Driven by a passion for cybersecurity, risk management, and technological advancement, Neal continues to champion strategies that empower organisations to withstand disruption and maintain continuity in an ever more interconnected world.

Alex Burnham is an experienced IT audit and cybersecurity leader with more than 25 years’ expertise spanning audit, risk, resilience, and information security. He is currently Head of IT Audit and Cyber Security at Forvis Mazars in Ireland, where he advises boards and executive teams on IT governance, cyber risk, and regulatory compliance. Prior to this role, Alex held senior positions including Information Technology Audit Manager at An Post and Director of IT Audit and Security at Mazars Ireland, where he led the firm’s national IT audit and security practice for nearly a decade. His career has also included consultancy and security leadership roles in both the public and private sectors, including with the Department of Transport, Renaissance, and UNISYS. Alex began his career with the British Army’s Royal Corps of Signals, serving over 16 years internationally as an Information Systems Manager and IT Security Officer, including responsibility for secure communications and cyber operations in active deployment environments. He is a regular speaker and subject matter expert on IT security, incident management, and data privacy, bringing practical insights from his extensive experience across the healthcare, financial services, government, and technology sectors.

Dera McLoughlin is a Partner and Head of Consulting at Forvis Mazars in Ireland, where she leads the firm’s management consulting and risk consulting practices. She oversees a broad portfolio of services spanning cybersecurity and NIS 2, artificial intelligence (AI), IT audit, technology and digital consulting, strategy and planning, organisational design, and financial consulting. Dera works extensively with financial services organisations, regulators, and public sector bodies, helping them navigate complex challenges at the intersection of technology, regulation, and organisational transformation. In 2024, she was appointed by the European Commission to join the expert group tasked with drafting the first EU General-Purpose AI Code of Practice, a cornerstone initiative supporting the implementation of the AI Act across Europe. A Chartered Accountant (FCA) and University College Dublin Commerce graduate, Dera also holds multiple professional credentials, including CISA, CISM, Prince2, CMC, and a CIPD qualification in HR Management. Her expertise, leadership, and forward-looking perspective make her a sought-after voice on digital transformation, emerging technologies, and regulatory innovation.