THEOS Cybernova

What happens when global systems are misused at massive scale? In Part 2 of the two-part Season 2 finale of THEOS Cybernova, host Paul Jackson continues his conversation with investigative journalist Tom Wright, co-author of The Billion Dollar Whale. This episode looks at how financial and digital systems are exploited to enable modern corruption. Wright explains how crypto crime has changed the m...

How do you investigate people protected by money, power and political influence? In this Season 2 finale of THEOS Cybernova , Paul Jackson speaks with Tom Wright , co-author of The Billion Dollar Whale , about the investigative journalism behind one of the largest financial fraud cases in history. Tom explains how major fraud investigations are built, from following complex money flows to document...

f your phone were compromised, would you even know? Most cybersecurity defenses are built to stop loud, disruptive attacks like ransomware. But the most serious threats to mobile devices often look very different. They are expensive, targeted, and designed for espionage rather than disruption. In this episode of THEOS Cybernova, host Paul Jackson speaks with Bill Marczak, a senior cybersecurity re...

What really happens when a cyberattack becomes a criminal investigation? In this episode of THEOS Cybernova, Paul Jackson speaks with Steve Santorelli, formerly of Scotland Yard, whose career spans Microsoft’s Internet Crimes Investigation Team and Team Cymru. They explore how cybercrime investigations succeed in the real world: why trust and community matter as much as technical skill, how speed...

What do you do when a nation-state attack hits just days into a new CISO role and it’s already Friday? In this episode of THEOS Cybernova, James McLeary shares real-world lessons from leading a live cyber incident response under intense pressure. From coordinating multiple DF/IR firms to fast-tracking procurement in Asia, this conversation reveals what cyber readiness really looks like when theory...

What really happens when a company negotiates with ransomware groups? In this episode of THEOS Cybernova, Paul Jackson speaks with Geert Baudewijns, founder of Secutec and a veteran ransomware negotiator with over 500 real-world cases. Geert explains how ransomware negotiations actually work, from verifying stolen data and confirming the real threat actor to understanding payment dynamics and insu...

Quantum computing is moving from theory to reality, and with it comes a fundamental shift in how organizations must protect long-lived and sensitive data.  In this episode, Cathy Chan from Cyberforce explains what Q-Day really means, why “harvest now, decrypt later” is already a live threat, and how enterprises can build crypto-agility before post-quantum standards fully enforce.  Clear, practical...

What if stolen crypto is not gone forever? In this week's Cybernova episode, Paul Jackson speaks with Jussi Aittola , Senior Partner and Country Head at Sphere State Group in Singapore, about the real mechanics of modern crypto crime, from industrial romance-investment scams to a 20 million dollar wallet breach linked to a nation state.  Jussi explains why crypto recovery is more possible tha...

From incident response to red teaming, many global teams touch systems and data in China without realising the legal tripwires. In this live CIO Summit conversation, THEOS Cyber CEO Paul Jackson speaks with DLA Piper’s Carolyn Bigg about the realities of operating in China’s data and cyber landscape. Topics include why consent is foundational, why remote access counts as a cross-border transfer, v...

Disclaimer: This episode discusses child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and includes references that some listeners may find distressing. For Mick Moran, child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is not just a law enforcement issue; it is a cybersecurity blind spot. As CEO of the Irish Internet Hotline and a former INTERPOL Assistant Director, he argues that every CISO needs to know how to detect CSAM, wha...

For Group Chief Security Officer Tim McNulty, crisis management is not firefighting; it is foresight. Preparation, horizon scanning, and above all, communication are what turn chaos into resilience. His rule is simple: communicate up, communicate internally, communicate externally. Tim also reflects on the human side of crisis leadership. He explains how the Asia Crisis and Security Group, formed...

Why are cyber scams rapidly increasing across Asia while law enforcement, education, and industry still struggle to keep pace? In this episode of THEOS Cybernova, Paul Jackson reconnects with Nigel Phair of Monash University to discuss the scam crisis in APAC. They explore why victims are blamed instead of supported, how underreporting skews the true scale of fraud, and what must change in policin...

From the Philippines to Singapore and Hong Kong, how do companies across APAC balance cybersecurity, data privacy, and regulation in a rapidly shifting landscape? In this episode of THEOS Cybernova, host Paul Jackson speaks with Jay Gomez, Associate Director in Cyber Advisory at BRG, about what it takes to lead in one of the world’s most diverse and fast-moving cyber regions. Jay reflects on his j...

From being a ROOTCON pioneer and core member (aka GOON) to driving large-scale offensive security operations, Jayson “JV” Vallente has been at the forefront of hacking culture and capability in the Philippines and across APAC.  In this live episode from the THEOS Cyber offsite, he joins Paul Jackson to share how he built the country’s first major AppSec teams, is helping ROOTCON grow into Southeas...

Neal Ysart: From Scotland Yard to Manila - Building a Cross-Border Cyber Investigations Practice From vice squads to digital forensics , one investigator’s journey reveals how cybercrime and response, has changed. In this episode of THEOS Cybernova , host Paul Jackson sits down with Neal Ysart , a veteran investigator whose journey spans Scotland Yard, Big Four consulting, global law firms and now...

Nathan Reid: Inside the High-Stakes World of Digital Forensics & Incident Response When a cyber incident strikes, every second counts. In the high-stakes world of Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR), elite professionals like Nathan Reed work against the clock to uncover the truth, contain the damage, and get businesses back on their feet - often with millions on the line.  In the Se...

How can organizations stay resilient as privacy regulations lag behind rapid digital threats? Anna Gamvros, Partner at A&O Shearman and prominent APAC privacy and cybersecurity law expert, uncovers critical insights on managing data protection, AI governance, and cyber incident response amid evolving regional laws. From deepfake technology risks and outdated privacy regulations in Hong Kong to...

How do you secure a multinational company while navigating complex cyber regulations and evolving threats? In this special Women in Cyber episode, Silvia Ihensekhien, CISO at Swire Coca-Cola, shares her incredible journey from IT operations to leading cybersecurity for a global enterprise. She reveals how she navigates complex cyber regulations across multiple jurisdictions, secures both IT and OT...

How do journalists uncover the truth behind cybercrime? What makes or breaks a company’s crisis response? And why does storytelling matter in cybersecurity? In this episode, Kate Fazzini, cybersecurity journalist, author, and former reporter for The Wall Street Journal and CNBC , joins Paul Jackson for a deep dive into cyber journalism, crisis communications, and the evolving battle against misinf...

THEOS Cybernova Ep. 09 – Paul Jackson: Turning the Tables – 100 Days as CEO What happens when the host becomes the guest? How does a cybersecurity leader transition from investigator to CEO? And what are the biggest challenges—and surprises—of leading a fast-growing cyber firm? In this special episode, THEOS Cybernova flips the script as Paul Jackson moves from host to guest, with W4 Podcast Studi...

THEOS Cybernova Ep. 8 - Rory Young : What Every Business Needs to Know About Cyber Insurance When a cyber incident occurs, can your cyber insurance policy come to the rescue? In this episode of THEOS Cybernova, host Paul Jackson chats with Rory Young, Marsh Hong Kong Cyber Practice Leader, to uncover the realities of cyber insurance. They discuss the differences between brokers and insurance carri...

What does it take to transition from a cybersecurity practitioner to a strategic leader? In this episode, Paul Jackson speaks with David Gee— a seasoned CIO, CISO, board advisor, and author of The Aspiring CIO & CISO —to explore what it truly means to lead in cybersecurity. With over 25 years of experience in global technology and risk leadership roles at Macquarie Group and HSBC Asia Pacific,...

THEOS Cybernova Ep. 6 - Sam Coco: The Modern CISO’s Balancing Act—Security, Business, and Innovation Is the traditional CISO role becoming obsolete? In this episode, Sam Coco, Head of Global Information Security at Fidelity International, joins host Paul Jackson to discuss the evolving responsibilities of cybersecurity leaders. With increasing regulatory pressures, board expectations, and the rise...

THEOS Cybernova Ep. 5 - Jonathan Crompton: Crisis Leadership When Cyber Attacks Strike What happens when a ransomware attack hits, and every decision counts? Jonathan Crompton, Partner at Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC) and Head of Cyber Response for Asia, takes us behind the scenes of cyber crisis management. With extensive expertise in cross-border disputes, cyber incident response, and data p...

THEOS Cybernova Ep.4 - Nigel Phair: The View from Down Under What makes Australia's cybersecurity landscape unique? In this thought-provoking episode of THEOS Cybernova, host Paul Jackson sits down with Nigel Phair, a former law enforcement professional turned academic, industry advisor, and bestselling author of five books. Paul and Nigel explore their shared beginnings in law enforcement, s...