Cyber Voices

Australian Information Security Association (AISA)
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Welcome to CYBER VOICES, where we highlight and celebrate the diverse voices of the Australian cyber community. From top-ranking CISOs and government officials to threat hunters and vulnerability analysts, if there’s a voice to be heard, you’ll hear it on CYBER VOICES. Join us as we delve into the stories, insights, and expertise that shape the world of cybersecurity in Australia.

  1. Inside the Mind of an Attacker — Atticus D'mello on Bypassing Social Media's Security Controls

    22H AGO

    Inside the Mind of an Attacker — Atticus D'mello on Bypassing Social Media's Security Controls

    Recorded live on the floor at BrisSEC 2026 in Brisbane, David Savva-Willett sits down with Atticus D'mello, higher degree research student, vulnerability researcher, and emerging cybersecurity specialist with Safety Net Cyber, to unpack his BrisSEC talk Inside the Mind of an Attacker. Atticus walks us through how he and his team approached one of the most under-discussed problems in consumer cybersecurity: how attackers bypass account creation limits on the world's biggest social media platforms to spin up anonymous accounts at scale. Working with nothing more than a laptop and a typical home internet connection, they mapped the controls, found the gaps, and responsibly disclosed the vulnerabilities, many of which have now been fully patched. The conversation goes beyond the technical, exploring why burner accounts are the gateway to online bullying, mass phishing, artificial engagement, and large-scale scams, and the very real human toll that follows. Atticus also shares his work helping victims regain access to compromised Instagram and Facebook accounts, the rise of fake "Meta verification" phishing emails, why TikTok's security-by-default model is worth paying attention to, and what every one of us can do to make social media a safer space. If you've ever wondered how those random accounts in your DMs come from nowhere — this one's for you.

    31 min
  2. Quantum Safe Queensland: A Practical Roadmap with Prof. Craig Costello

    MAY 6

    Quantum Safe Queensland: A Practical Roadmap with Prof. Craig Costello

    Q-Day is coming — and the encryption protecting your most sensitive data may already be on borrowed time. In this episode of Cyber Voices, host David Savva-Willett sits down at AISA's BrisSec 2026 with Professor Craig Costello, cryptographer at the Queensland University of Technology and one of the global researchers shaping post-quantum cryptography (PQC) standards. Craig demystifies what post-quantum cryptography actually is, why "harvest now, decrypt later" attacks mean the threat is already here, and what recent breakthroughs from Google AI, UC Berkeley and Caltech mean for the timeline. He unpacks Google's bold 2029 Q-Day prediction, explains why PQC runs on the classical hardware you already own, and walks through a pragmatic transition roadmap aligned to the Australian Signals Directorate's guidance — from naming a transition lead and running an inventory scan, to prioritising key exchange over digital signatures, and managing vendor migrations. Whether you're a CISO, security architect, or just trying to understand what quantum computing really means for your organisation, this is a clear-eyed, panic-free conversation about preparing for the biggest cryptographic shift in 50 years. Topics covered: • What post-quantum cryptography is (and isn't) • Harvest now, decrypt later attacks explained • Why Google says Q-Day arrives by 2029 • Recent algorithmic breakthroughs lowering qubit requirements • A practical PQC transition plan: 90 days and beyond • ASD guidance and the road to 2030 • Crypto agility as a long-term security discipline Cyber Voices is the official podcast of the Australian Information Security Association (AISA). Planning for Post-Quantum Cryptography (the page Craig referenced directly) The ASD's practical framework covering inventory scans, transition timelines, and milestones — including the recommended deadline of end of 2030 to cease use of traditional asymmetric cryptography. 🔗 https://www.cyber.gov.au/business-government/secure-design/planning-for-post-quantum-cryptography Information Security Manual (ISM) — landing page The full ISM, intended for CISOs, CIOs, and cyber security professionals. 🔗 https://www.cyber.gov.au/business-government/asds-cyber-security-frameworks/ism ISM — Guidelines for Cryptography The chapter that contains the specific PQC controls Craig mentioned, including ISM-2073 (PQC transition plan requirement) and the list of ASD-approved post-quantum algorithms. 🔗 https://www.cyber.gov.au/business-government/asds-cyber-security-frameworks/ism/cyber-security-guidelines/guidelines-for-cryptography  Professor Craig Costello — QUT profile For listeners who want to take Craig up on his offer to engage directly with industry partners. 🔗 https://www.qut.edu.au/about/our-people/academic-profiles/craig.costello

    33 min
  3. Inside the Dark Web Economy: Anastasia Tikhonova on 2026's Top Cyber Threats

    APR 29

    Inside the Dark Web Economy: Anastasia Tikhonova on 2026's Top Cyber Threats

    The Problem of Trust: Identity Fraud, Deepfakes & APAC Threat Trends with Anastasia Tikhonova What happens when cybercriminals stop attacking your CEO and start targeting your developers instead? In this episode of Cyber Voices, host David Savva-Willett sits down with Anastasia Tikhonova, Global Threat Research Lead at Group-IB, joining live from Phuket, Thailand, to unpack the threat trends defining 2026 — and why Australia remains squarely in the crosshairs. Anastasia shares how her team connects threat intelligence dots across APAC, EMEA, and Latin America, and explains why she calls 2026 the year of "the problem of trust" — where attackers no longer need just your email and password. They want your voice, your face, your LinkedIn, and your professional connections to impersonate you convincingly enough to compromise the organisations you work with. In this episode, you'll hear about:The rise of identity fraud, deepfakes, and AI-powered social engineeringWhy Scattered Spider, Lazarus Group and others are shifting from mass campaigns to highly targeted persona attacksThe Axios NPM supply chain compromise (80 million weekly downloads) and what it means for every organisationHow dark web marketplaces, arbitration "courts," and Telegram-based criminal communities operate todayWhy Australia is the #2 ransomware target in APAC — and the lessons from the April 2025 super fund attacksThe role of hacktivism, geopolitical conflict, and national state actors in Australian threat activityPractical advice on managing your digital footprint when you, your family, or your executives have a public profileWhether you're a CISO, security analyst, developer, or simply curious about how cybercrime is evolving, this conversation delivers global perspective with sharp Australian relevance. Cyber Voices is the official podcast of the Australian Information Security Association (AISA) — bringing you the voices shaping cybersecurity in Australia and beyond. 🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow AISA for more.

    38 min
  4. Year One in the Seat: Tara Dharnikota on What It Really Takes to Be a CISO

    APR 22

    Year One in the Seat: Tara Dharnikota on What It Really Takes to Be a CISO

    What does it really take to step into the CISO seat, and thrive? In this episode of Cyber Voices, the official podcast of AISA and the home of Australia's cybersecurity community, host David Savva-Willett sits down with Tara Dharnikota, Chief Information Security Officer at Victoria University. With a career spanning Telstra, PEXA, and now one of Australia's leading universities, Tara brings a rare blend of offensive security expertise, OSINT, and executive leadership. In this candid conversation, she reflects on her first year as CISO, what surprised her, what she'd do differently, and what the role of the future really looks like. In this episode, you'll hear: Why the CISO role is fundamentally about translation, not just technologyHow to communicate security risk to boards and executives in a language they actually understandThe trap of trying to prove yourself too fast — and why influence matters more than expertiseWhat "building security with people" rather than for them really means in practiceThe convergence of cyber and physical security in complex environments like universitiesTara's vision for the CISO of 2030 — and what aspiring CISOs should be doing right nowThe role that communities like AISA play in shaping future security leadersWhether you're an aspiring CISO, a seasoned security leader, or an executive trying to better understand your security function — this episode is essential listening. 🎟️ Early bird registrations for the Australian Cyber Conference 2026 are open now — 14–16 October. AISA members grab a full 3-day Gold Pass for just $899. Head to cyberconference.com.au before 30 June. Subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with someone on their path to the CISO seat.

    30 min
  5. Navigating the Passkey Revolution with VicRoads

    FEB 25

    Navigating the Passkey Revolution with VicRoads

    In a groundbreaking move, Igor Gjorgjioski from VicRoads embarked on a digital transformation journey to enhance security and user experience by eliminating traditional passwords. Collaborating with Vincent Delitz from Corbado, a passkeys-as-a-service provider, they successfully implemented one of the largest public sector deployments of passkeys. This initiative aimed to address user friction and bolster security against phishing, with a keen focus on mobile-friendly, phishing-resistant logins. The project's success rested on a phased rollout, careful selection of partners, and strategic nudging of users towards adopting passkeys, setting a new standard for digital authentication in the public sector.

    27 min

  6. FEB 18

    Building Cyber Communities with Jasmine McCrudden

    In this episode of Cyber Voices, Jasmine McCrudden shares her inspiring journey from a tech recruiter to a key player in the Australian cybersecurity community. As the Deputy Chair of the Australian Information Security Association (AISA) in New South Wales, Jasmine emphasises the importance of community and networking for career development in cybersecurity. She discusses how overcoming imposter syndrome and volunteering with AISA have shaped her leadership style. Jasmine's dedication to uplifting women and creating pathways in cybersecurity is evident in her impactful contributions to the industry, recognised by multiple awards and her dynamic role within AISA.

    27 min
  7. Rebranding Cyber with Emily Woodhams

    FEB 4

    Rebranding Cyber with Emily Woodhams

    At CyberCon Australia 2025, Emily Woodhams shared her experience as the Cybersecurity Engagement Manager at Melbourne University. Her role involves enhancing communication and culture around cybersecurity by using innovative branding strategies, including Australian animal imagery linked with cyber behaviors. This approach moves away from clichéd cyber imagery like hackers in hoodies, aiming to demystify and humanize the field. Woodhams' journey from a communications background to a cyber role highlights the demand for storytelling skills in cybersecurity, a theme echoed throughout the conference. University branding changes prompted a larger initiative to create relatable and engaging cybersecurity messaging.

    28 min
  8. Tackling Abuse Material Online with Joel Scanlan

    JAN 28

    Tackling Abuse Material Online with Joel Scanlan

    Content Warning In this episode, we discuss topics that some may find triggering, relating to child sexual abuse material on the internet.  David Willett hosts Joel Scanlan from the University of Tasmania to discuss strategies in preventing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online. Joel highlights the importance of integrating safety by design on mainstream platforms, following alarming statistics of accidental exposure to CSAM. Emphasising deterrent measures, they explore the effectiveness of warning messages and chatbots in dissuading potential offenders. Both highlight the role of large tech firms and regulators in enhancing transparency and accountability, aiming to create a safer digital environment with fewer opportunities for CSAM to proliferate. https://www.stopitnow.org.au/  "Stop It Now! Australia is a child sexual abuse prevention program which works with adults concerned about their own, or someone else’s sexual thoughts or behaviours towards children." https://www.csamdeterrence.com/

    21 min
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About

Welcome to CYBER VOICES, where we highlight and celebrate the diverse voices of the Australian cyber community. From top-ranking CISOs and government officials to threat hunters and vulnerability analysts, if there’s a voice to be heard, you’ll hear it on CYBER VOICES. Join us as we delve into the stories, insights, and expertise that shape the world of cybersecurity in Australia.

Information

  • Creator
    Australian Information Security Association (AISA)
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright AISA
  • Show Website
    Cyber Voices

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