A practical approach
I had a great week at the AICD’s Company Directors Course learning about governance, risk, strategy, legal environment, financial literacy, performance and achieving board effectiveness.
I particularly liked the interactive discussions and case studies to practice ethical decision making, applying concepts in practice and adopting the director mindset.
In this blog, I’m going to expand on my observations from working with Indigenous communities in Australia. I’ll adopt a more structured approach to reflective practice to crystallise the insights from my final project and the entire MBA journey.
I had the privilege to join a brilliant cohort of CISOs at the RSA Conference CISO Bootcamp. It was an energising experience, where seasoned experts and emerging leaders in cybersecurity came together to tackle our industry’s most pressing challenges.
The bootcamp was more than just a learning experience; it was a platform for sharing personal insights, gaining fresh perspectives and engaging in a thought-provoking debate.
From discussing emerging threats to exchanging strategies for resilience, it was a reminder of the power of community in cybersecurity. A huge thanks to all organisers and speakers for creating a space where we can grow together and tackle our industry’s biggest challenges.
It’s been fantastic to have an opportunity to give back to the community and volunteer with ISACA this year.
The Sydney Chapter hosted a number of professional development events for cyber, risk, governance and IT professionals with a common objective of building digital trust and securing our interconnected world. I had a chance to support these initiatives, ranging from fundraising for a mental health charity to helping organise conferences.
I found this experience incredibly rewarding and made some good friends along the way.
I just spent an incredible week immersed in Aboriginal culture, where I had the privilege of working shoulder to shoulder with First Nations organisations as part of my AGSM Executive MBA journey.
This experiential learning project allowed me to take the academic knowledge from all my previous MBA courses and apply it in real-world contexts. What a great way to wrap up the program!
It was also an opportunity to deliver the final client presentation to Indigiearth, a 100% Aboriginal-owned native foods business, concluding the capstone strategic consulting engagement we’ve been working on this term.
Learning directly from Elders and community members enriched my understanding of Aboriginal traditions, values and the profound connection to land that underpins Indigenous enterprises. I’m proud to have been a part of this journey, bringing together cultural respect and strategic vision.
A big moment at the 10x Demo Day with Edmond Sorich and Eléonore Cluzel.
Health 10x, in collaboration with The George Institute for Global Health, is a unique national program accelerating the business growth of startups building affordable and scalable solutions for major health challenges.
It was a privilege to support GLIA Diagnostics developing the first portable, accurate brain injury diagnostic device over the past twelve weeks as an advisor and mentor.
Super proud to be recognised as one of Australia’s top cybersecurity leaders 🏆
And receiving a high commendation for demonstrating outstanding business value is the cherry on top!
Congratulations to all CIO and CISO honourees.
In cybersecurity, collaboration is essential. With growing complexity in the threat landscape, leaders often find themselves working with parties they may not fully align with—whether internal teams, external stakeholders, or even rival firms.
Adam Kahane’s book Collaborating with the Enemy: How to Work with People You Don’t Agree with or Like or Trust outlines principles for collaborating effectively, especially in challenging environments where trust and agreement are minimal. Kahane’s “stretch collaboration” approach can transform the way cybersecurity leaders address conflicts and turn rivals into partners to meet critical security goals. In this blog, I’ll share my key takeaways.
It was great to chat with Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness, the National Cyber Security Coordinator, about the 2023 – 2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy as well as key initiatives, strategic imperatives and challenges that CISOs must navigate.
As a CISO who recently led an organisation through successful SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 audits, I’d like to share some insights and steps to help others on their journey toward SOC 2 attestation.
SOC 2 may not be for everyone (refer to my blog on compliance frameworks), but it can be useful for organisations dealing with sensitive customer data, particularly in SaaS, as it demonstrates a commitment to security, privacy, and data integrity. The journey toward SOC 2 attestation can be complex, but with careful planning and the right strategies, it’s achievable.
Cyber Security Leadership 