The Cyber Brief

Within just a few years, quantum computers could render today's encryption obsolete, exposing sensitive data and disrupting critical systems. In this episode, Valeska and co-host David Rountree are joined by Dr Vikram Sharma, Founder and CEO of QuintessenceLabs, to unpack what these advances mean for cyber risk management. Vikram explains why post-quantum transition timeframes are accelerating, wh...

As AI drives an escalation in cyber threats, ASIC is sharpening its focus on how organisations manage cyber risk. Valeska and co-host Kate Austin are joined by ASIC Commissioner Simone Constant, author of an open letter issued by ASIC calling for urgent cyber uplift across industry. Simone shares what’s driving the regulator’s heightened concern, what 'reasonable' and 'proportionate' cyber measure...

In part two of our conversation, former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull joins Valeska and Dominic to discuss the state of Australia's cyber startup landscape, the role of private capital and the policy settings needed to support high-growth cyber businesses. Is Australia doing enough to support its cybersecurity startup ecosystem? How can we translate innovation into genuine sovereign capability?...

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull joins Valeska and co-host Dominic Anderson for the first of a two-part discussion about cybersecurity as national security in Australia. As the 29th Prime Minister of Australia, a former lawyer, technologist, and now backer of some of the most interesting cyber companies worldwide, Malcolm brings a perspective on cybersecurity shaped by experience on every si...

Bank-grade cybersecurity is considered the gold standard of cyber best practice, but what does it look like in reality, and what can other organisations learn from it? Valeska and co-host Isabelle Guyot are joined by Martijn Verbree, Chief Information Risk Officer at The Commonwealth Bank. Martijn shares his approach to balancing innovation with security, staying ahead of the curve in a constantly...

Valeska and co-host David Rountree speak with Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness CSC, Australia's National Cyber Security Coordinator and leader of the National Office of Cyber Security (NOCS). Michelle dives in regarding the role of NOCS, and how it approaches government coordination and consequence management during major incidents. When and how should organisations engage with government du...

Valeska and co-host Chris Kerrigan are joined by Meredith Griffanti, Senior Managing Director in Strategic Communications and Global Head of Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Communications at FTI Consulting in New York. Meredith shares practical advice on how to communicate in the midst of a cyber incident, from managing the first moments after an attack to crafting an apology, choosing a spokespe...

Valeska and co-host Chris Kerrigan are joined by Ryan Macfarlane, the Unit Chief of Counter Terrorism, Advanced Projects Unit at the FBI, where he worked for more than 20 years. In one of his final interviews before announcing his retirement from the FBI, Ryan shares his insights on emerging cybersecurity threats, the maturation of cyber criminals' business models, the increasing use of AI to cond...

Though often overlooked, the psychological toll of cyber incidents in the workplace is significant. Research has placed the average level of burnout experienced by cyber professionals in line with or above that of frontline healthcare workers in the aftermath of COVID-19. Valeska and co-host Sikeli Ratu speak with Peter Coroneos, the founder of Cybermindz and a pioneer in applying military-grade t...