Speakers

Member of the Polish Parliament (Sejm), Secretary of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure,
Government Plenipotentiary for the Central Transport Hub.
Aviation expert with over 25 years of experience; PhD in technical sciences from the Military
University of Technology. Long-standing research staff member of the Institute of Aviation.
From 2002 to 2016 a member, later Deputy Chair, and since 2012 Chair of the State
Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation.
Specializes in transport safety issues, particularly aviation safety. Since 2010, academic
lecturer at the Warsaw University of Technology.
Licensed airplane and glider pilot, with First Class Glider Instructor qualifications and First
Class Test Pilot qualifications.
Editor-in-Chief of the scientific journal “NiT – Science, Innovation, Technology” from 2003 to
2007.
Graduate of the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering at the Warsaw University of
Technology.

From 2016-18, he served as European affairs analyst at Polityka Insight. Thereafter, worked as the evaluator and researcher of EC’s policies in the fields of transport and communication at an international consultancy company.
Co-founder and board member of the Strategies 2050 Institute. At the Institute, he was responsible for research on Poland’s energy transition, the RRF and EU policies. In the 2023 parliamentary campaign, member of the staff of Poland 2050 and the Third Way responsible for communication.
Author and co-author of numerous reports summarising Poland’s achievements in the EU and the legislative activities of the EU institutions
He has worked, among others, with the Batory Foundation, the In.Europa Institute and the Schuman Foundation.
Graduate of the College of Europe in Natolin, Dublin’s Trinity College and Charles University in Prague.

Rafał Rosiński holds a doctorate in economics and worked at the Technical University of Koszalin, where he was vice-dean for student affairs. In 2008, he obtained his doctoral degree in economic sciences at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Gdańsk. His scientific output includes more than 50 publications, including two monographs and several articles in foreign journals. In 2009, he was awarded the main prize “Golden Wings of Gazeta Prawna” for the best book in the category “taxes”. Previously, Rafał Rosiński was deputy Marshall of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship and a councillor of the Voivodeship Assembly for many years. Rafał Rosiński has been involved with the Polish Economic Society for more than 15 years; from 2020 to 2024 he was president of the Koszalin branch of the PTE, a member of the PTE National Board and a member of the PTE Scientific Council.

Brigadier General Tomasz Baran was born on 30 August 1972 in Rzeszów. He began his service in the fire protection sector in 1991 as a cadet at the Main School of Fire Service (SGSP) in Warsaw.
Professional Career
Upon graduating from the officers’ school, he served at the school’s own Fire and Rescue Unit as a Section commander. In the following years, he progressed through various operational roles, including Shift Commander and Commander of a Fire and Rescue Unit.
In 2008, he completed postgraduate studies at the Military University of Technology in Warsaw, at the Faculty of New Technologies and Chemistry, specialising in “Hazardous Materials and Chemical Rescue.”
In 2010, by decision of the Commander-in-Chief of the State Fire Service, he was transferred to the Provincial Headquarters of the State Fire Service in Rzeszów. There, he was appointed as a Senior Expert in the Inspection and Recognition Department, and subsequently as an Operational Officer in the Operations Department.
On 1 January 2017, he was appointed to the post of District Commandant of the State Fire Service in Rzeszów.
On 23 February 2024, by decision of the Minister of the Interior and Administration, at the request of the Commander-in-Chief of the State Fire Service, he was appointed to the post of Podkarpacki Provincial Commandant of the State Fire Service.
On 22 April 2025, the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, at the request of the Minister of the Interior and Administration, Tomasz Siemoniak, promoted Colonel Tomasz Baran to the rank of Brigadier General.
On 4 May 2025, Brigadier General Tomasz Baran officially received his general’s nomination from the President of Poland during the Central Firefighters’ Day celebrations at Marshal Józef Piłsudski Square in Warsaw.
Decorations and Personal Life
He has been awarded, amongst others: The Cross of Merit for Bravery
The Bronze Cross of Merit
The Bronze Medal for Long Service
The Gold Badge of Merit for Fire Protection
The Silver Badge of Merit for the Prison Service
The Silver Cross of Merit of the Order of Saint Florian
Chief Brigadier Tomasz Baran is married and has three children.

Since 2022, he has served as Vice President of the Management Board at Asseco
Poland, responsible for the Telecommunications and Media sectors as well as IT,
information security, and business continuity. He is a graduate of the Faculty of
Mathematics, Informatics, and Mechanics at the University of Warsaw, with over 30
years of experience in delivering strategic IT projects, primarily in the
telecommunications sector.
For more than 15 years, he was associated with SAS Institute, where, as Consulting
Director, he developed Business Intelligence (BI) solutions, including data warehouses
and reporting systems. From 2010 to 2025, he worked at Polkomtel and Cyfrowy Polsat,
where he was responsible for BI development. Between 2018 and 2025, he served as
CTO and a Member of the Management Board at Netia, overseeing IT, network
operations, and security.

A valued IT architect and scientist, involved in the construction of systems and research in the field of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and decision support processes. 

Winner of over 100 prestigious awards granted by the national scientific community and international bodies in the area of significant inventions, including in the field of biomedicine and command support. 

He carries out industrial research and experimental development projects and research in the field of command support, computer simulation and the application of artificial intelligence methods in biomedicine at the Faculty of Cybernetics of the Military University of Technology. 

Responsible for the construction, implementation and maintenance of public and secret ICT services and systems of the Ministry of National Defense. 

In 2012, he defended his doctoral thesis with distinction in the field of the application of artificial intelligence methods and semantic analysis in the identification of crisis situations. Educator, propagator of knowledge in the field of computer science, conducting original classes in over 23 thematic modules in the field of software engineering, artificial intelligence, programming and cybersecurity.

EXPERIENCE

Deputy Commander of the Cyber Command (from 2022)

Deputy Director of the National Cyberspace Security Center until 2021)

Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Cybernetics, Military University of Technology (from 2017 to 2020)

Assistant Professor of the Faculty of Cybernetics, Military University of Technology 2012-2017

Assistant Professor of the Faculty of Cybernetics, Military University of Technology 2008 – 2012

Assistant Professor of the Faculty of Military Technology, Military University of Technology 2003 – 2008

EDUCATION

Military University of Technology, Faculty of Cybernetics, major: Computer Science 1998 – 2003

Military University of Technology, Faculty of Cybernetics, Postgraduate Pedagogical Studies 2005-2006

War Art Academies, Postgraduate Studies in Defense Policy, 2021-2022

Brigadier General Piotr Chodowiec graduated from the High Military Signal School in Zegrze in the field of Operation of communication systems / Telecommunications and from the Warsaw University of Technology at the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology. After graduating from the High Military Signal School in Zegrze, he began his service in the Command of the Warsaw Military District. Then he started his service at the 9 th Command Regiment holding successive positions from Platoon Leader, through Section Officer
to Company Commander. Thereafter, he was appointed to the position of Inspector in the Communications Investment Office.
From 2002 to 2014 he served in the General Directorate of Command and Communications J6 and Command and Communications Systems Planning Directorate J6, which he completed as the Chief of the Specialist Training Unit.
In 2014 he assumed his duties as Chief of Operational Planning Team in the Cyber Security Centre of the Polish Armed Forces. Subsequently in 2015 he became the Deputy Commandant in the Cyber Operations Centre and was promoted to the rank of Colonel. From 2015 to 2016 he temporarily served as Commandant of the Cyber Operations Centre.
In 2016 he was assigned to the Operational Command of the Armed Forces. Then he held Chief analyst role at the Department of Control. In 2018 he became the Deputy Director in the National Cryptology Centre, which was transformed into the National Centre for Cyberspace Security in 2019.
After completing his service in the National Centre for Cyberspace Security, he served in the Command of the Territorial Defence Forces. In 2019 he returned to the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces as the Chief of Command and Control Directorate J6.
From 2022 to 2023 he performed his duties in the Cyber Security Training Centre
of Excellence.
In 2024 he was reappointed to the post of Chief of Command and Control Directorate J6 and on 2nd May 2025 he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General.
Brigadier General Piotr Chodowiec completed postgraduate studies at the National Defence University in the field of Information security (2006). Since 2020 he holds MBA postgraduate diploma from the Faculty of Cybernetics of the Military University of Technology in Cybersecurity management. In 2021 he completed postgraduate studies in Defence Policy at the War Studies University.

Wiktor Cichoń is the Director of the Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu S.A. branch managing SSE EURO-PARK MIELEC. He is responsible for the development of investment projects and cooperation with entrepreneurs under the Polish Investment Zone framework in the Podkarpackie and Lubelskie regions. He focuses on supporting industrial, logistics and technology investments, including projects related to security, defence and dual-use, as well as the development of new manufacturing ventures and the handling of projects important for economic security and supply chain resilience. In his work, he combines public aid instruments, regional development and the needs of companies carrying out investments in the industrial sector, including projects involving dual-use technologies. He has more than 20 years of business experience, including advisory work and the delivery of projects for the public sector, companies and non-governmental organisations.

Dr Filip Czernicki, President of the Management Board of CPK, is a doctor of law, legal advisor
and university lecturer specialising in aviation law, company law, non-governmental
organisation law, project management and business consulting.
He has extensive experience in the aviation industry, having led strategic projects at Polish
Airports (PPL), including the expansion of Warsaw Chopin Airport and the development of
Chopin Airport City. Dr Czernicki chaired the Supervisory Board of Szczecin Goleniów Airport
and represented the launch of Modlin Airport. He also oversaw corporate governance and
implemented project management at PPL. He is currently the chairman of the Supervisory
Board of PPL.
Dr Czernicki is a certified PRINCE2 project manager and the author of publications on aviation
law. He is also involved in the activities of social organisations and is the co-founder of a
network of student legal clinics. He coordinates non-profit programmes and has created legal
support programmes for refugees from Ukraine. He coordinates pro bono programmes at the
District Chamber of Legal Advisers in Warsaw and free legal aid for Ukrainian refugees within
the European Lawyers in Lesvos (ELIL) organisation.
Dr Czernicki graduated from the University of Warsaw and the School of German Law in
cooperation with the University of Bonn. He speaks English, German and Russian.

Involved in cybersecurity since 2007. Founder and CEO of Proget, the only Polish manufacturer of MDM/UEM solutions for managing mobile devices in any organization. Introduced the BlackBerry brand to the Polish market. Currently a strategic partner of SAMSUNG, with whom he conducts projects related to the development and use of new technologies in uniformed services. Privately, he is the president of the Stare Bielsko Volunteer Fire Department, where he has been active for over 31 years. Today, it is one of the most modernly equipped volunteer fire departments in Poland.

Professor at the University of Łódź, Department of Foreign Policy Theory and Security. Former research fellow at the University of Maryland (2017–2018, Fulbright Senior Award) and visiting lecturer in Iran, Taiwan, Brazil, Turkey, Indonesia, and the United States. His research focuses on international security, with particular emphasis on Iran. He serves as an analyst and commentator cooperating with Washington-based institutions, including the Stimson Center and Defense Info. Author of numerous analyses published in professional outlets such as “Polska Zbrojna,” “Defence24,” “Wojsko i Technika,” “Układ Sił,” “Military Technology,” and “European Security & Defence.” Recipient of international scholarships, including the Lanckoroński Foundation, and participant of the U.S. State Department’s “Young Leaders Dialogue” program.

Colonel Wojciech Dalka currently serves as the chief specialist in the Directorate
of Planning and Programming for the Development of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland – P5 in the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces. Previously, he held the position of Head of the Military Equipment and Development Department in the Directorate of Missile Forces and Artillery in the Inspectorate of Land Forces – General Command HQ. He played a key role in shaping Poland’s artillery modernization strategy, overseeing the integration of advanced combat systems such as the 155 mm sph Krab and K9, RAK mortars, and rocket launchers.

Tomasz Darmoliński is an unmanned systems expert, UAV/C-UAS analyst and dual-use technology practitioner. He is the President of AeroThink P.S.A. and the Żelazny Foundation. For years, he has been involved in the development of electronics, control systems and technology integration for unmanned aerial systems. He works with industrial partners and operational communities connected with security and defence. He is actively engaged in analysing technological changes resulting from the war in Ukraine and their impact on the development of the European drone sector and NATO technological resilience.

An experienced Manager and Expert in management and finance with over 30 years of experience in academic and business environments.
Doctor of Economics (Academy of Economics in Katowice, 1996), specializing in multi-criteria decision support. For his doctoral dissertation, he received the Prime Minister’s Award in the field of economics.
He began his professional career as an assistant and later an adjunct at the University of Economics in Katowice, developing scientific and didactic activities.
He combined his work at the University with consulting and expert activities, specializing in financial planning, investment project analysis, risk management and project management.
He has held numerous executive positions and served on the supervisory boards of many companies.
Since 2013, he has been employed at Rosomak S.A. as the Director of the Department of Finance and Human Resources, Member of the Management Board. In November 2024, he was appointed CEO of the company.

Andrzej Dopierała, President of the Management Board of Asseco Data Systems SA, Vice President of the Management Board of Asseco Poland SA
He holds a degree in electrical engineering. After graduation, he worked in the U.S. and Canada. Upon his return to Poland, from 1994 to 2006, he worked at Hewlett-Packard Polska, where he served as President of the Management Board for the last eight years. He then became President of the Management Board of Oracle Polska, while also being involved in the corporation’s regional structures.
In September 2013, he became Vice President of Asseco Poland S.A., responsible, among other things, for the holding company Asseco Systems S.A., which in January 2016 began operations as Asseco Data Systems S.A., merging six companies from the Asseco Group. Andrzej Dopierała serves as Chairman of the Management Board of this company, one of the largest IT firms in Poland. Under his direct supervision lies the electronic signature and digital trust services business. At the same time, at Asseco Poland, he serves as Vice President of the Management Board responsible, among other things, for the defense sector and cybersecurity solutions. In June 2019, when Asseco acquired ComCERT SA, he served as President of the Management Board of that company, which specializes in cybersecurity solutions and services.

Prior to becoming President of ComCERT S.A., he was, among other things, the author of software for state bodies protected under classified information regulations. He worked with government administration offices, joint government administrative bodies and public finance sector units, including state public-law institutions.

In 2016-2017, co-founder and Member of the Board of Directors of Aplikacje Krytyczne, a company owned by the Ministry of Finance, which develops analytical information systems to support the Tax Administration and other state bodies in criminal-fiscal activities and countering financial irregularities. In 2017-2019, served as a Board Member of the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), overseeing the maintenance and development of IT systems processing data of over 25 million ZUS clients and transactions valued at over PLN 300 billion annually. Responsible for the digital implementation of the 2017 pension reform and other national projects: centralization of social contribution payments (e-Skladka), digitization of employee files (e-Akta) and digitization of sick leave (e-ZLA).

He served as a Member of the Digitization Council appointed by the Minister of Digitization, a Member of the Scientific Council of NASK, and an Advisor to the Steering Committee of the electronic ID card (e-ID) project – being appointed jointly by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration, the Minister of Digitization and the Minister of Health. He served as an advisor to the Presidents of selected state-owned companies. He is a member of the Scientific and Expert Council for Cyber Security at the Police Academy in Szczytno. He is a forensic expert qualified in the fields of IT, reverse engineering, cybersecurity, and IT copyright law.

He graduated from the of Mikołaj Kopernik General Education Secondary School in Rzeszów, and then studies at the Department of Sociology of the Pedagogical University in Rzeszów. In 2018, he obtained the title of Executive Master of Business Administration at Apsley Business School
in London.
He was an activist of the Democratic Left Alliance, he headed the party’s structures in Rzeszów During the third term of the Rzeszów City Council (1998–2002), on November 6, 2001, he became a councilor after the mandate of Tadeusz Ferenc expired. He was re-elected in subsequent terms of the council: IV (2002-2006), V (2006-2010), VI (2010-2014), VII (2014-2018) and VIII (2018 –2023). In the years 2006–2010 he was the chairman of the Rzeszów City Council (as the youngest in this position in the history of the council), and in the years 2014–2021 he was the vice-chairman of the council.
On March 15, 2021, he announced his readiness to participate in the early elections of the president of Rzeszów as a non-party candidate. He was supported by the Civic Coalition, Left, Polish Coalition, Poland 2050 by Szymon Hołownia and the Labor Union, as well as by a number of local associations and social organizations. In the elections he won 56.51% of the vote, winning in the first round. On June 21, 2021, he was sworn in to the office of the president of Rzeszów.

Legal counsel, manager, and expert in the fields of telecommunications, public policy, and digital security.

She is a graduate of the Faculty of Law and Administration at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University and the Strategic Leadership Academy of the ICAN Institute.
She has held key positions in public administration: she served as Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure and at the Ministry of Administration and Digitization, and from 2012 to 2016 she held the office of President of the Office of Electronic Communications. During that time, she led the digital switchover of terrestrial television, opened new frequency bands for mobile services, and strengthened consumer rights. She represented Poland at the EU and ITU forums, co-creating European policy on radio spectrum.

In recent years, she managed the legal and advisory firm MMI Proconnect, and since 2024 she has been Vice Chair of the Supervisory Board of Poczta Polska.

Since April 2025, she has served as President of the Management Board of EXATEL S.A., responsible for the company’s strategic development, security services, critical communications, and modern network technologies.

A graduate of the meteorology specialization within the geodesy and cartography program at the Faculty of Engineering, Chemistry, and Technical Physics at the Woskowa University of Technology. Over 23 years of experience in the Armed Forces (Lt. Col., Ret.) in the areas of scientific research, development, crisis management, and as a manager bridging the worlds of science, public administration and business.

As a career soldier, he gained experience at, among others, the 23rd Tactical Air Base, the Military University of Technology, the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, and the Polish Space Agency. From 2021 to 2026, he served as administrative manager at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geodesy at the Military University of Technology and as a project manager in the field of security and defense, including on the PIAST project. Since March 2026, he has been Director of the Department of Earth Monitoring, Navigation and Communication at the Polish Space Agency. He has also collaborated with private entities on research and development projects as an R&D manager and GNSS expert. From 2019 to 2022, he served as an expert in the Satellite Geodesy Section of the Committee on Space and Satellite Research at the Polish Academy of Sciences

Graduate of postgraduate studies in finance, certified project manager (Prince2), lead auditor of the information security management system in accordance with PN-EN ISO/IEC 27001, as well as numerous advanced training courses in administration and the field of space and satellite technologies.

An aviation enthusiast—he holds a ultralight aircraft rating and a private pilot license.

A graduate of the Faculty of Electronics and Telecommunications of the Wroclaw University of Science and Technology and postgraduate studies in Project Management at the Warsaw School of Economics. He gained professional experience in specialist and managerial positions in telecommunications companies Telefonia Dialog and Polkomtel. Currently, he serves as the Team Manager and Leader of the project “Construction of an LTE Critical Communication Network” using the 420MHz band.

A graduate of the Foreign Trade Faculty at SGPiS (SGH), with an individual study program under the supervision of Leszek Balcerowicz. He is fluent in English, German, and Russian. He began his career as an assistant at the Institute of Planning and Economic Policy at SGH, then held director and managerial positions at IGLOPOL S.A., Brinkmann & Landwehrmann Investment Banking, and III NFI S.A. He was the First Vice President of the Management Board of Polkomtel S.A., where he was responsible for building the GSM market leader from the ground up and introducing the PLUS GSM brand. He held supervisory roles at the Gdańsk Refinery, CPN S.A., and PKN ORLEN S.A., and, as First Vice President of the Management Board of PKN ORLEN, he was responsible for marketing, sales, logistics, and strategy. He carried out key development projects such as the rebranding of ORLEN stations, the acquisition of BP stations, 

Brigadier General Marcin Górka is the Director of the Department of Innovation in the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Poland. He is responsible for technology development and innovation policy and represents the Polish MoD in multiple national and international forums, including the European Defence Agency Steering Board in Research & Technology Directors formation, NATO Science and Technology Board and NATO DIANA Board of Directors. BG Marcin Górka also serves as the Minister of National Defense’s Plenipotentiary for Space. In this capacity his duties include the provision of space technology and policy advise and expertise to the Minister and supervision of the implementation of the space operational domain in the Polish Armed Forces (PAF).

BG Marcin Górka entered the Polish Armed Forces as an officer in 1996, after earning his MSc. Eng. in satellite navigation systems from the Military Academy of Technology in Warsaw. Since then, he served in numerous position in the PAF, as well is NATO Structures, related to satellite imagery intelligence and development of space capabilities. In 2013 he was appointed as the Commander of the newly-created Imagery Intelligence Centre, a position he held until 2018, and was responsible for the overall implementation of satellite imagery intelligence capability in the Polish Armed Forces. Before his current position he served as the Vice-President of the Polish Space Agency, responsible for defense and security affairs.

Robert Grey is the Chancellor of the University of Warsaw, a diplomat and senior public-sector executive, and a former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for economic diplomacy. He specialises in strategic cooperation between government, business, and academia, as well as in building partnerships that support the international expansion of Polish companies.

An expert in public–private partnerships, institutional development, and modern governance, he places particular emphasis on the role of innovation and the application of artificial intelligence in management and economic policymaking. His work focuses on the design and implementation of solutions that foster economic growth, competitiveness, and the internationalisation of enterprises, drawing on experience across the public, academic, and international spheres.

He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts and The New School University in New York, where he studied international relations and diplomacy with a specialisation in governance. He also holds an Executive MBA from the University of Warsaw and has completed advanced executive and leadership programmes at, among others, the MIT Sloan School of Management, Oxford Saïd Business School, and the Harvard Kennedy School.

Honorata Hencel is the Managing Director for Boeing in Poland and Ukraine, responsible for integrating Boeing’s commercial and defense activities across 2200 employees and 6 locations. She represents the company in government and industry forums and serves on the boards of the American Chamber of Commerce in Poland and Ukraine, as well as the Polish Drone Alliance. She joined Boeing in 2015 as Global Navigation Services manager. With 23 years of experience in aviation and defense, she has led multinational teams. Honorata is the Executive Sponsor for Boeing Veterans in Europe and former president of Boeing Women Inspiring Leadership Europe. She holds a degree in Economics from the University of Gdansk and completed postgraduate studies in management and aviation sectors.

Rear Admiral (OF-7) Krzysztof ‘Kris’ Jaworski was born in 1966, and is a 1990 graduate of the Polish Naval Academy with the Master of Navigation and Naval Armament. Additionally, he holds master’s degree in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University in Washington, DC (2015). Moreover, RADM Jaworski graduated from the Naval War College in Newport, RI in 1998. He has had multiple command and staff positions throughout the last 31 years.
His sea tours include commanding officer, Tarantul-class corvette; flotilla and squadron staff officer and chief of staff. Finally, in 2007 he was appointed as a commander of the Fast Patrol Boat Squadron and was promoted to Captain.
Ashore, RADM Jaworski assumed duties as the senior naval advisor to the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces as well as served in Maritime Operational Division N-3, Polish Navy HQ.
His operational deployment includes chief of staff, Deputy Support Operations, NATO Training Mission Afghanistan, Kabul. Afterwards, he was assigned as a Deputy
of Chief of Armament Directorate, Navy Inspectorate, General Command of the Polish Armed Forces.
His staff assignments also include chief of staff, 8th Coastal Defense Flotilla, Swinoujscie (2015) as well as commander of 3rd Ships’ Flotilla in Gdynia (2016) followed by his promotion to flag officer in November 2016.
He assumed his current position as Maritime Component Commander in May 2018 and in August he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral (upper half).
Jaworski’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Cross of Merit, Silver Long Service Medal, Afghanistan Star, Gold Medal of Merit for National Defense,
Gold Medal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the Fatherland, Non-Article 5 Medal, Pro Patria Medal and other various personal, unit and service awards.
RADM Jaworski and his wife have been happily married for more than 30 years
and have two adult sons. He is an active long-distance runner. He is interested
in maritime history, particularly the Polish Navy engagement during WW2.

Leading expert in digital transformation and cybersecurity in healthcare. He combines over 20 years of technological experience with a deep understanding of the organizational and legal frameworks of the healthcare sector. At Palo Alto Networks, he is responsible for providing strategic support to healthcare facilities in building resilience against cyber threats and effectively adapting their infrastructure to the rigorous requirements of the amended National Cybersecurity System (KSC) Act (NIS2) and GDPR.
Between 2024 and 2025, as a Director at the Medical Research Agency, he oversaw calls for proposals under the National Recovery Plan (KPO). He was responsible for the development of the Digital Medicine Innovation Center at the National Information Processing Institute (OPI PIB) and co-authored the development plan for the Regional Digital Medicine Center (RCMC) at Szpitale Pomorskie. He has spearheaded key digital transformation initiatives at global corporations, including Microsoft, Oracle, HPE, and Dell.
He actively shapes the e-health landscape and AI policy in Poland. He is a co-founder of the Warsaw Health Innovation Hub and the Telemedicine Coalition. He served as a consultant for the Polish position on the EU AI Act and co-authored the White Paper of the AI in Health Coalition. He possesses unique expertise at the intersection of artificial intelligence and digital security as a certified AI assessor (IEEE CertifAIEd Authorized Assessor).
A renowned academic lecturer (including Kozminski University, Warsaw University of Technology, WSB University, and the National School of Public Administration – KSAP). He completed postgraduate studies at the Medical University of Warsaw, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Harvard University. In his daily work, he demonstrates that advanced cybersecurity is not a cost, but the very foundation of saving human lives and ensuring the financial stability of medical institutions.

Andrzej Kaczmarek – President of the Management Board of Stalexport Autostrady S.A. and Stalexport Autostrada Małopolska S.A., which manages the A4 Katowice-Kraków motorway.

He is a manager with experience in top positions in private business, state-owned companies, economic diplomacy and state administration, an expert in energy, construction, infrastructure construction and maintenance, and foreign economic cooperation, a business advisor and negotiator.

He has worked at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Canada, among other places. He was Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Economy. He has also worked at KPMG Advisory and several joint-stock companies. His experience also includes membership in the supervisory boards of many entities.

He graduated from the Warsaw University of Technology and holds two degrees: Master of Science in Electronics and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. 

Emil Kowalczyk (PhD) has been involved in the telecommunications and technology industry for over a decade. He began his professional journey in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Ohio University (USA), where, under the National Science Foundation, he was responsible for innovative work in signal transmission.

He specializes in automation, robotics, and autonomy of telecommunication systems, as well as in creating solutions that support security, resilience, and digital transformation of the sector. He was responsible for developing standards and regulations for cloud processing under ITU-T—the United Nations’ specialized agency for the telecommunications market and ICT.

At Orange, he was responsible for delivering data-driven and machine learning-based products and services in the Intelligent/Smarter Network area, as well as for delivering solutions for the EMEA region.

He is a supervisor of implementation PhD projects carried out at Orange Polska in collaboration with the Warsaw University of Technology and the Ministry of Education and Science.

Currently, he leads the Defence & Security area under a dual-use model, collaborating with the defence sector, operators of critical infrastructure, the academic community, and Polish innovators. His specialization includes projects at the intersection of networks, security, and innovation, supported by AI/ML—particularly in communications resilience, data security, and ensuring continuity of system operations under increased risk at the interface between military/state institutions and industrial infrastructure.

Krzysztof Krystowski, country Director of Northrop Grumman Poland S.A. Responsible for executing the company’s market strategy, business development plan and government relations in country.

Prior to joining Northrop Grumman, Krystowski served as vice president of the European Clusters Alliance, a pan-European organization representing more than 150,000 innovative European businesses. He is also president of the Polish Clusters Association and President of the Silesian Aviation Cluster.

He held senior leadership roles within the Polish aerospace and defense sector including, vice president of Leonardo Helicopters Poland; president of Polish Defence Holding (Bumar Group), and president, Avio Polska.

Before entering the defense industry, he served as deputy minister in the Polish Ministry of the Economy between 2003 to 2005.

Since 2026, he has served as President of the Management Board of ComCERT S.A., having previously served as Vice President of the Management Board of this Asseco Group company, where he was responsible for the development of cybersecurity services and projects.
From 2020 to 2024, he served as a member of the Management Board (CIO) of Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych S.A., where he was responsible for IT infrastructure, software development, cybersecurity, internal IT operations, and secure document production. In this role, he oversaw the national infrastructure for issuing driver’s licenses throughout Poland and the operations of PWPW’s internal SOC.
Previously, as Director of the Document Personalization Center at the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, he was responsible for the national infrastructure for issuing identity documents and the implementation of projects co-financed by the European Union in the areas of security and digitization. Within the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, he also served as the Minister’s Representative for Cybersecurity and Head of the ICT Infrastructure Security Department.
He was the leader and project manager of the national e-ID system—one of the key digital initiatives of public administration, under which a modern electronic ID card was implemented, featuring an electronic signature function and secure authentication of citizens in e-government services.

Przemysław Kuna graduated Lublin University of Technology and Warsaw University of Technology. He completed PhD studies at the College of Management and Finance (Warsaw School of Economics). Held managerial positions in the telecoms sector for over 20 years. He joined TK Telekom’s management board as member for operations in 2013. In November 2014, as expert in the ICT Department at the Ministry of the Interior, he coordinated technologically the launching of System of State Registers. Appointed Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Internal Affairs for IT projects and developing state registers in 2015. He became Deputy Chair of National Chamber of Digital Economy in November 2016. In March 2024, he took up positions: NASK’s Deputy Director and Nationwide Education Network’s Director 

A graduate of the Faculty of Construction at Częstochowa University of Technology.
For eighteen years he worked in local authority, dealing with the implementation of public investments. During this time, he held the position, incl. the Deputy Director
and the Director of the Municipal Road Administration in Częstochowa. Prior to that,
he worked at the City Council in Blachownia, being responsible for, among other things,
the preparation and implementation of public investments and the road maintenance. Since November 2024, he has been in charge of the Deputy General Director for National Roads and Motorways.

Andrzej Majka, DSc, PhD, Eng., Professor at Rzeszów University of Technology, Head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Director of the Research Center for Security and Defense. An expert in aerospace engineering, with particular focus on unmanned systems, hydrogen propulsion and air transport. An expert for the European Commission and the European Defence Agency, he is actively involved in international R&D projects and cooperation with the aerospace and defence industries. For many years, he has been developing dual-use technologies and solutions supporting national security and resilience, while also contributing to the advancement of the Polish drone sector and the education of highly qualified engineering professionals.

Deputy Director at NASK, with 33 years of experience in the IT sector and active involvement in cybersecurity since 2005. He is responsible for a broad range of activities, including security management within the National Cybersecurity System (CSIRT NASK), IT infrastructure oversight, countering disinformation, and the development of proprietary software solutions supporting the cybersecurity of key organizations. His professional career spans both the financial sector and global corporations, where he held executive roles such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

Magdalena Markiewicz has over 20 years of experience in the waste management sector, gained within large Polish and international organizations involved in waste collection, recycling, and processing. In recent years, she has expanded her professional activities into water management across Poland, Central Europe, and the Balkans.

She focuses on the financial and organizational efficiency of the projects under her management, while consistently placing strong emphasis on partnership-based cooperation with local authorities and the business community. She applies a win-win approach founded on mutual trust and always with full respect for the natural environment.

Karolina Modzelewska – Editor-in-Chief of Portal Obronny. A journalist and analyst long associated with the technology and scientific sectors, and for several years also with the military field. She does this by choice, out of curiosity and genuine interest, not out of obligation. In her work she combines journalistic experience with an understanding of political and technical processes, which allows her to clearly explain complex topics to a broad audience. She follows the principle that an intelligent text on security and military affairs does not have to be dry – what matters is both solid substance and readability, as well as accessibility. In her free time she travels, catches up on films and reads crime novels.

Born on 21 May 1985. Mayor of the city of Stalowa Wola since 2014. He began his local government activity in 2006. As the youngest City Council member in the history of the city at that time, he combined local government responsibilities with managerial positions in public administration. As Director in 2013, he introduced innovative and best-practice solutions at the Provincial Road Traffic Centre in Tarnobrzeg. From 2014, he managed the Organisational and Legal Department at the Marshal’s Office in Rzeszów.
In 2014, he was elected Mayor of the city of Stalowa Wola and was subsequently re-elected in 2018 and 2024.
Lucjusz Nadbereżny became known as an efficient and effective local government official. In 2015, he was appointed by the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, to the National Development Council, and in 2026, the President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, entrusted him with the position of Chairman of the Local Government Council under the President of the Republic of Poland.
He has been honoured with numerous distinctions, including the Gold Cross of Merit for dedicated service to local government in Poland. He also received the Grzegorz Palka Award for local government activity of nationwide significance, as well as the titles “Podkarpacki Samorządowiec Bliski Rodzinie – Amicus Familiae” and “Local Government Official of the Year 2019”.
By education, he is a political scientist and lawyer, and a graduate of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University and the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin.
Privately, he is a devoted husband to Aleksandra and father of Miłosz, Gabriel and Anastazja.

I am an expert in defense and national security. My goal is to utilize my acquired knowledge and experience in building a coherent national security system. Since January 2026, I have held the position of economic advisor in the Department of Finance and Public Affairs of the Supreme Audit Office, where I am responsible for civilian security. Since March of this year, I have also been a senior lecturer at the Institute of State Security at the Faculty of National Security of the War Studies University. Previously, I worked for nearly eight years in the Department of National Defense of the Supreme Audit Office, where I held auditing positions until the end of 2025 (the liquidation of the department). From 2021, I served in management positions, first as deputy director and the last two years as director. Prior to working at the Supreme Audit Office, I served for nearly 18 years in the Polish Armed Forces, in the Land Forces and Special Forces, participating in international peacekeeping missions, among other roles.

Director of the Institute of Internal Security, State Fire Service officer, academic teacher serving at the Fire University in Warsaw.
Graduate of the Main School of Fire Service. Doctor of technical sciences in the field of environmental engineering. He completed postgraduate studies in “Management in Emergency Situations” at the Main School of Fire Service, ‘Databases’ at the University of Applied Computer Science and Management, and postgraduate studies with doctoral seminars in “Risk Analysis” at the Academy of Finance.
Working within the structures of the National Firefighting and Rescue System, he participated in numerous rescue operations, such as flood rescue operations and activities related to flood damage restoration. Co-author of 2 patents and 5 utility models.

Jan Piotrowski is a retired soldier (Lieutenant Colonel, Reserved), a graduate of the Military Academy of Signal Forces in Zegrze. He began his service in the 4th Air Defense Missile Brigade, where he served as the Chief of Signal of the Missile Squadron and Commander of the Signal Company. For 20 years, he served in the District Military Representation, where he performed his duties as a military representative and later as Deputy Chief and Chief. During his service, he supervised the delivery of military equipment and actively participated in numerous implementation programs for new military equipment in Poland and abroad. After retiring from uniform in 2020, he began working at the Military University of Technology as a specialist in the certification of quality management systems in accordance with NATO AQAP publications. In 2023, he assumed the position of Director of Military Programs at Advanced Protection Systems, where he managed the program for the implementation of anti-drone systems in the Polish military. Since 2025, he has been working as a Director at Rockfin and, as the Management Board’s representative, is responsible for the development of the Defense area. 

Jan Piotrowski studied at the Gdańsk University of Technology, where he completed a second-cycle degree in Management and Marketing, as well as postgraduate studies in “ISO Standards and Quality Management.” He has completed a number of specialized courses and training in quality management and NATO standards for planning, risk management, and configuration management in military equipment deliveries. He is an expert in the quality of military equipment deliveries.  

For his military service, he was awarded the gold medal “For Merit to National Defence” and the gold medal “Armed Forces in the Service of the Homeland”. 

He is married, has a wife, Beata, and 2 children: Julia and Jakub. 

His interests include sports and traveling.  

A business practitioner with over 30 years of proven success in scaling companies and
implementing modern technologies, including digital transformation, IoT, and EAS solutions.
Grzegorz effectively combines operational expertise with the ability to develop value
propositions that successfully turn complex solutions into tangible business benefits.

He has been in the banking sector for over 19 years. At the EIB, he was involved in various financing transactions and operations including securitization, risk sharing, and project finance.
A graduate of the University of Warsaw and the Warsaw School of Economics, he completed a one-year scholarship at the Faculty of Law at Aarhus University in Denmark.

 Civil engineer, designer and building expert. Member of research and teaching staff at the Cracow University of Technology. Expert in structural health monitoring (SHM). His areas of interest include measurement techniques and their application in structural safety systems. He has designed over 150 monitoring systems for various types of geotechnical and building structures, either independently or as a co-author. These systems utilise DFOS fibre-optic techniques to measure various parameters over distances spanning tens of kilometres. He is the co-author of over 120 scientific publications, 15 patent applications and 5 patents.
He is currently involved in work on the effective monitoring of critical infrastructure in Poland, including railways and gas pipelines.          

Manager with 23 years of experience in financial institutions, both in banks and leasing companies. Since October 2018 to June 2024, he has been working in CA Auto Bank branch in Poland (formerly FCA Bank), where he held the position of Sales and Marketing Director. During this time, he was responsible for launching the CA Auto Bank’s subsidiaries on the Polish market: Leasys and Drivalia Lease, implementation of a new innovative e-commerce sales channel, multiple strategic partnerships and the bank’s rebranding, which took place in April 2023.
Prior to that, he worked for 11 years in the sales department at Banque PSA and PSA Finance.
Since December 2022 to June 2024, he has been a member of the Management Board of Drivalia Lease, where he supervised the following areas: marketing and sales, operational leasing services, leasing policy.
He graduated from the Lazarski University of Commerce and Law in Warsaw at the Faculty of Foreign Trade and World Economy, in Economics in 2004.

Director of Analysis at Strategy&Future. He is a graduate of Collegium Civitas and the University of Warsaw, and also studied psychology at the University of Aberdeen.
He previously served as Coordinator of the Wargaming and Simulation Program as well as the International Security and Defence Program at the Casimir Pulaski Foundation.
His interests include MMA and the works of Zbigniew Herbert and Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa. He is the author of the book “Our Bomb: Does Poland Need a Nuclear Strategy?”.

Howard Tweedie – Strategic Defence & National Security Digital Advisor | Cyber & Digital Transformation Leader
Howard Tweedie CEng, FBCS, CIPT, FIAP, MinstRE is a senior defence and national security advisor with 30+ years’ experience across UK MoD, NATO, and coalition partners. A former Royal Navy Commander, he led cyber and digital operations in conflict zones including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. Now a freelance consultant through Positive Vision Ltd, he specialises in programme recovery, secure digital transformation, and coalition interoperability. His work spans cyber, cloud, AI/ML, and digital identity, with roles supporting Airbus, FCDO Services, MoD, KPMG, and governments. He advises on Zero Trust, sovereign AI, and tactical edge cloud, and authors on cyber resilience and defence reform.

Stefan Walowski – colonel retaiered
During his military cariera, he held following positions: Commander of the 1 st SIGINT Center; Head of the Training and Exercise Division – A7 HQ ACC Ramstein; Deputy Head of the Reconnaissance and EW Division – A2 Air Force Command; Deputy Head of the Reconnaissance and EW Division – J2 od the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces.
He was graduaated from the Higher Officer’s School of Missile and Artillery Forces; the Warsaw School of Economics; the Joint Service Command and Staff College (UK); King’s College London (UK); the National Defence University.
After completing his military service, he worked at the Polish Armament Group and from 2017 at the Supreme Audit Office, where in the years 2023-2025 he served as deputy director of the Department of National Defence.

Wojciech Wencel is the CEO and founder of summ-it, a data management and IT
transformation expert. He holds an Executive MBA from Aalto University in Helsinki, and
degrees in project management and technical studies from Poznań universities. He is
currently pursuing a PhD focused on autonomous databases. Wojciech has held roles such
as Project and Service Manager in international organizations, overseeing a global service of
9,500 databases in a “follow the sun” model. He has led the implementation of innovative IT
solutions for clients
in manufacturing, banking, retail, and the public sector. Known for his determination
and effectiveness, he consistently delivers results in even the most complex projects

Attorney at Law, member of the Warsaw Bar Association. Graduate of postgraduate studies as well as MBA and DBA programs in cybersecurity at the Military University of Technology and the Naval Academy, and a number of other programs, including at IESE Business School. From 2015 to 2018 Undersecretary of State and then Secretary of State at the Ministry of the Interior and Administration. From January 2018 to April 2020. Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defense, also serving as the Ministry of Defense Plenipotentiary for Cybersecurity. From April 2020 to August 2022, he was President of the Management Board of Poczta Polska S.A. Thereafter, Vice President and President of the Management Board of KGHM Polska Miedź. S.A. (2022-2024). From 2021 to 2023, he was Chairman of the Ministry of Defense’s Team of Public Advisors on Cybersecurity. In December 2021, appointed by Polish President Andrzej Duda to the Security and Defense Council, and in July 2024, in parallel, also to the Council for Strategic Development Projects. From 2025 Chairman of the Council of the SET Security-Energy-Technology Foundation, a Polish think-tank working on national security.