Cyber Voices

In an engaging session at CyberCon Melbourne 2025, Theresa Payton shared insights from her pivotal career spanning from her role as the first female White House CIO to becoming the CEO of Fortalice. Payton captivated the audience by discussing her innovative approaches to cybersecurity, emphasising the importance of understanding human factors. She shares the success of her 'White House Happy Meal...

Tom Huth and Ryan Mclaren stop by to discuss the Trident exercise series, a collaborative effort by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and Retrospect Labs, is a large-scale cybersecurity exercise designed to enhance incident response in the energy sector. With participation from over 27 organizations and 560 individuals, the exercises simulate real-world cyber threats to practice and str...

In this episode of Cyber Voices, David Willett chats with former participants of the Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN) and Retrospect Labs Incident Response Competition. The panelists, including competition winners and runners-up, share their transformative experiences in this hands-on, teamwork-based event. The competition, which simulates real-world cybersecurity incidents, highlights...

In this episode of Cyber Voices, David discusses with Jeremy Snyder, founder and CEO of Firetail, the critical yet often overlooked significance of API security in the modern digital landscape. Jeremy explains how APIs underpin most online interactions, from mobile apps to AI systems, and the large volume of personal data transferred through these gateways. Despite the rise of AI topics, API secur...

In this episode of Cyber Voices, cybersecurity expert Abbas Kudrati discusses the emerging challenge of non-human identities in the digital landscape. These identities, which include API keys, machine identities, and AI agents, are becoming crucial security concerns as technological advancements accelerate. Abbas shares insights into how non-human identities are defined, their inherent risks, and...

Yvonne Sears discusses innovative strategies for rethinking third-party risk assessments. Moving beyond traditional checklists, Yvonne emphasises the importance of aligning assessments with organisational goals and risk profiles. By focusing on specific objectives and measurable outcomes using OKRs, organisations can enhance trust, transparency, and resilience across their supply chains. The conve...

In this episode of Cyber Voices, host David Willett sits down with Karl Sellmann, Chief Information Security Officer at Flinders University, to discuss the ongoing challenges in cybersecurity. Sellmann emphasises the importance of moving away from a reactive, 'whack-a-mole' approach to a more strategic, long-term plan that incorporates quick wins as building blocks. By focusing on broader strategi...

In this insightful episode of Cyber Voices, David Willett interviews Zoe Adam, a seasoned cybersecurity professional leading dynamic teams at CyberCX. Newly energised after her talk at AdelaideSEC, Zoe shares her revolutionary approach to security operations. She argues for adaptability over rigid runbooks, emphasising the necessity for curiosity in incident management. Through anecdotes and perso...

In this enlightening episode of Cyber Voices, host David Willett talks with Dr. Susan McGinty, a leader in the realm of cybersecurity and STEM leadership. Dr. McGinty shares her journey from being a scientist to a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in cybersecurity. The discussion highlights her initiatives aimed at fostering leadership skills among women and promoting inclusive cultu...

In this special episode recorded live at AISA SydneySEC 2025, David Willett sits down with Jessica Clarence from the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) to explore the agency’s latest efforts to uplift cybersecurity across all levels of government. Jessica offers a deep dive into the SIEM and SOAR implementation guidelines developed by the ASD, highlighting how these frameworks are helping Austra...

In this episode of CyberVoices, David sits down with Rudy Haruta, a passionate advocate for disability inclusion and program lead at the Australian Disability Network. Rudy shares his personal journey and struggles with dyslexia, anxiety, and depression, and how these experiences shape his work today. They discuss the importance of organisations becoming disability confident, highlighting the need...

In this episode of Cyber Voices, David Willett hosts William Oh, Senior VP at BlueVoyant, as they dive into the critical issue of third party cybersecurity risk. William shares his extensive background in intelligence and highlights the growing importance of cybersecurity. They discuss how cyber attacks have become the silent initiators of warfare and emphasise the increasing risks associated with...

In this episode of Cyber Voices, David Willett interviews Gaurav Vikash, Head of Security and Risk for Asia Pacific at Axon, about the complex interplay of technology, compliance, and trust in today's security landscape. Gaurav discusses Axon's mission to create transparent policing tools, emphasising community trust. He also explores the exciting developments in biometric authentication and the r...

In this episode of Cyber Voices, Ella Donald, a change and communications manager for cybersecurity at the University of Queensland, shares her insights. Ella discusses her expertise in running successful tabletop exercises for both technical and executive audiences. She emphasises the importance of having clear aims, maintaining a proper scope, and understanding that these exercises are meant for...

In this episode of Cyber Voices, host David Willett chats with James Pemberton, chair of the AISA's Tasmanian branch. James shares his journey from service desk roles into cybersecurity leadership and reflects on nearly a decade as an AISA member and volunteer. He highlights the branch's significant growth, with membership skyrocketing from 48 to 208. The conversation discusses the symbiotic relat...

In another interview recorded live at CyberCon Canberra 2025, David chats with with Peter Watson from Recorded Future. Peter provides insights into malware loaders and Remote Access Trojans (RATS), shedding light on their evasive tactics and the complexity of defending against them. Additionally, he delves into techniques like DLL hijacking, illustrating their subtlety and effectiveness. The conve...

In this special Pride-themed episode of Cyber Voices, host David celebrates the diverse contributions of the LGBTQIA community within the cybersecurity industry. Guests Meagan McClendon, Sean Barnett, and Joshua Craig share personal experiences about their identities and roles in cyber. The discussion highlights the importance of inclusivity in tech fields, the challenges faced by LGBTQIA professi...

In this enlightening episode of Cyber Voices, David and Jasmine interview Vanessa Van Beek, a notable figure in the cybersecurity realm, to discuss her journey from IT to becoming a cybersecurity champion. Vanessa emphasises the importance of diversity within cyber teams, highlighting how different perspectives, including those from neurodivergent individuals, enhance problem-solving capabilities....

In this electrifying episode of Cyber Voices, David Willett sits down with Paula Januszkiewicz, a true powerhouse in cybersecurity, live from CyberCon Canberra 2025. As CEO of CQURE Inc. & CQURE Academy, a seasoned penetration tester, red teamer, and Microsoft MVP & Regional Director, Paula brings unparalleled insights into the evolving cyber landscape. David and Paula dive deep into the r...

CyberCon 2025 brought together the brightest minds in cybersecurity, and in this special episode, host David Willett sits down with keynote speaker Professor Sue Black (Professor of Computer Science and Technology Evangelist, International Keynote Speaker, Forbes World Top 50 Women in Tech ) in the Cyber Voices podcast booth. Sue shares her inspiring journey as a Technology Evangelist, championing...

In the latest episode of Cyber Voices, recorded live at CyberCon Canberra 2025, Alexander Duffy from SA Power Networks joins David Willett for a deep dive into cyber preparedness in the energy sector. From rigorous cross-sector exercises with the Australian Energy Market Operator to ensuring every corner of the organisation is battle-ready, this conversation highlights the proactive steps being ta...

Recorded live at CyberCon Melbourne 2025, this episode of Cyber Voices dives into the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity leadership. Hosts David Willett and Jasmine McCrudden sit down with Tony Vizza, Founder and Managing Partner of Novera, to tackle the big question: how informed do company boards really need to be about cyber risk and secure by design principles? Tony shares his insights on th...

In this compelling episode recorded live at CyberCon Melbourne, hosts David Willett and Simona Dimovski sit down with Deany Jaghdour (Retrospect Labs) and Simon Carabetta (Accenture) to tackle one of the most persistent challenges in the cybersecurity industry: unconscious bias in recruitment. From both the recruiter’s and candidate’s perspectives, the panel explores how bias subtly shapes hiring...

Australia has made a game-changing move in cybersecurity, debuting its first-ever national Pavilion at GISEC Global 2025 in Dubai. A showcase of innovation, expertise, and leadership, the Pavilion brought together 13 top Australian companies pushing boundaries in AI-powered defence systems and post-quantum secure communications. In this episode, host David Willet is joined by Yuri Miloslavsky, CEO...

In the latest episode of Cyber Voices, recorded live at CyberCon Melbourne, Jason Plumridge joins hosts David Willett and Simona Dimovski to tackle one of the most critical challenges in cybersecurity: effectively communicating cyber risks to executives and boards. Jason introduces a powerful strategy, adapted from a model used for concise military briefings, that ensures decision-makers grasp the...