Our world is changing, and changing rapidly, driven by the adoption and growth of digital technologies. At the Cisco Twilight Tech Forum, held on November 14 at Central Park Tower in Perth, over 100 business leaders gathered to discuss how organisations can capitalise on this accelerating change, driving progress for both businesses and society.
The event, hosted in collaboration with Business News, brought together key industry leaders to explore key trends in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and the future of how we work. Headlining the forum was Dave West, Cisco’s President for Asia Pacific, Japan and Greater China.
In his address, he highlighted the significance of Cisco’s transformation, today, a leader in networking and delivering AI-driven security and digital resilience. “To be a great networking company today, you have to be a great security company. To be a great security company, you have to be a great AI company, and to be a great AI company, you have to be a great data company,” he said.
Dave West and Charles Kobelke
Cisco’s US$28 billion acquisition of Splunk, a powerful data analytics and monitoring platform, highlights how the company has embraced digital change and positioned itself as a major player in delivering integrated AI, security and data solutions. “AI is here to stay,” West said. “With generative AI now capable of making recommendations and decisions, it’s already reshaping business. This is a true differentiator for Cisco, and we’re providing organisations with the tools they need to stay ahead.
The urgency of this transformation is underscored by findings that 86% of companies in the Asia Pacific, Japan and Greater China region believe they have just 18 months to deploy AI effectively or risk falling behind.
The discussion on AI was one of the evening’s most compelling segments, with West warning that the time for businesses to act is now. “Within 18 months, most industries – from government defence to retail – will feel the impact of AI,” he said. “It’s not AI that will take your job, it’s someone who knows how to use AI.”
The forum also placed a strong focus on digital resilience. With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, security has emerged as a top priority for businesses and governments alike. “Digital resilience isn’t just a technical challenge – it’s an organisational imperative,” Arlene Mavratsou, Assistant Commissioner of the Western Australian Police Force, explained, as she provided insights into how the public sector is addressing this challenge. She noted that resilience isn’t just about having the right technology in place, it’s also about building strong organisational frameworks.
Cisco’s Dave West described this concept as a ‘resilience engine’ explaining, “It’s about creating muscle memory, integrated cybersecurity and strong governance. These are critical for businesses to weather the storms.”
Another key topic was the significant shift in the nature of work. Challenging the traditional office model, West states, “Work is not where you go; it’s what you do. In the war on talent, we don’t want the office to be a mandate, we want it to be a magnet.”
Linda Dawson and Arlene Mavratsou with Mark Pownall
Panellist Linda Dawson, Deputy Director General of the WA Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the expectations of a younger, values-driven workforce. “The next generation of workers wants flexibility, innovation and a sense of belonging,” she said, emphasising the importance of creating workplaces that foster inclusivity and collaboration.
Dawson also noted the importance of partnerships between the public and private sectors, with collaboration the key to unlocking opportunities for growth and innovation. “Technology isn’t just a tool – it’s a catalyst,” she said. “From creating jobs to driving tourism, the integration of AI and emerging technologies has far-reaching implications.”
Among the business leaders in the audience was Gary McGrath, General Manager of Commercial Banking WA at Commonwealth Bank. Reflecting on the forum, McGrath said, “Data Protection is a key message. It’s both an internal and external challenge for organisations – how we improve and how we support our customers. Events like this are encouraging and thought-provoking as they bring these issues to the forefront and offer actionable insights.”
As the Twilight Forum concluded, the overarching takeaway was clear: organisations must act now to prepare for the future – whether by adopting AI, rethinking traditional workplace models, or strengthening their systems against cyber threats. A rallying cry for businesses to embrace change, innovate and lead in a fast-changing world.
