Sally Davies is Head of Incident Management and Resilience at the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), where she has worked for over five years. With extensive experience in crisis management, business continuity and organisational resilience, Sally ensures ONR can continue functioning during any disruption – from cyber incidents to physical threats.
Before joining ONR, Sally spent nearly 14 years at Liverpool John Moores University, where she developed her business continuity and incident management expertise. She has also served as Chair of the Board of Trustees for DaDaFest, an internationally renowned charity supporting deaf and disabled artists.
Sally will be speaking at DTX Manchester, taking place on 2nd and 3rd April at Manchester Central.
The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: What will you be speaking about at DTX Manchester and how does this align with this year's theme: Innovation with Integrity | Driving Value, Delivering Purpose?
I'll speak about prioritising mental health in cybersecurity teams, a topic that directly addresses the human element behind technological innovation and integrity.
I will explore how managers and colleagues can identify signs of mental health struggles, including subtle cues and behaviours in team members. I'm keen to share practical ways to approach, talk to, and support colleagues who may be masking or exhibiting concerning behaviour. Importantly, I'll provide strategies and resources to foster resilience in high-pressure environments that work regardless of organisational size and budget.
This aligns perfectly with this year's theme because integrity in innovation must include caring for the people driving that innovation. We can't deliver true value or purpose if we burn out the professionals tasked with protecting our systems and data.
As someone who manages crisis situations – whether cyber, fire, floods or terror threats – I've witnessed firsthand how critical it is to maintain team well-being during high-pressure incidents. I'm not a technical cybersecurity expert; my expertise is in crisis management and building organisational resilience, which gives me a unique perspective on this issue.
Q: How will your session help attendees balance technological advancement with purposeful, responsible innovation?
In an industry driven by rapid technological advancement, it's easy to focus solely on the tools while overlooking the well-being of the people behind them. My session will explore strengthening the human element by prioritising mental health, resilience, and workplace culture.
I want to dispel the myth around what people call the "human firewall" narrative. There's this perception that CISOs and cybersecurity professionals are superheroes who save the day – keeping everyone safe under their protective blanket. I don't like this narrative because it puts immense pressure on individuals who think, "I'm the human firewall, I'm the superhero saving the day. I can't possibly sleep or eat because people rely on me."
By balancing innovation with a purposeful, responsible approach to team well-being, we can create cybersecurity environments that are not only effective but also sustainable for the professionals who protect us. This is particularly important given the constant pressure of the next crisis always being around the corner – whether it's geopolitical developments like changes in the White House or new cyber threats emerging daily.
Q: If you could offer three takeaways from your speaking session, what would they be?
First, mental health awareness is crucial. Leaders and teams must recognise subtle signs of mental health struggles and create a culture where people feel safe discussing their well-being. In high-pressure situations, adrenaline takes over, and it's easy to forget the humans behind the response.
Second, supportive conversations matter. Approaching colleagues with empathy, listening without judgment, and offering meaningful support (without tying it to performance) can help break the stigma around mental health in the workplace. Small, consistent check-ins can make a big difference.
Third, well-being must be embedded in workplace culture. I'll share practical tips from my experience managing crisis situations – like implementing shift systems so people can adequately hand over and go home to rest, ensuring deputies are empowered to make decisions in your absence, and preventing staff from continuing to follow incidents on news or social media during their downtime. A healthy team is a resilient team.
Q: Have you attended DTX Manchester before, and if so, why should others attend?
This will be my first time attending DTX Manchester, and I'm excited to see what it's all about. I'm looking forward to connecting with technology professionals from across the region.
As someone who works at the intersection of crisis management and technology, I value opportunities to share experiences and learn from others. Events like DTX Manchester facilitate important conversations about how we can better protect our organisations while also supporting the people doing that vital work.
Q: What are your hopes for DTX Manchester this year?
I hope to see a stronger focus on the human side of cybersecurity. As we navigate evolving threats, it's essential that we prioritise wellbeing alongside technical defences. I look forward to meaningful discussions on how we can create a culture that supports mental health, resilience, and sustainable careers in cybersecurity.
Ultimately, it's about the people behind the technology. If you don't look after your teams, there goes your resilience. There will always be the next big incident or crisis, so you can't just think: "We'll get through this for the next 24 hours, and it'll be fine." You need to step back and focus on your people – the technology comes after that.
I also look forward to connecting with like-minded professionals, sharing experiences, and building new relationships. Cybersecurity is about people as much as technology, and events like this are an excellent opportunity to support each other and shape a more resilient future.
Sally Davies will be speaking at DTX Manchester, taking place on 2nd and 3rd April at Manchester Central. For more information and to register – for free – please visit: https://dtx-manchester-2025.reg.buzz/