In Australia’s National Interest - Security of Critical Infrastructure

Pentagram Advisory
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What comprises Australia’s national interest, and how does the rise of insider threat activity in Australia’s critical infrastructure connect to Australia’s national interest? I expect this topic was not the first thing on your mind when you woke this morning ready for breakfast and a hot shower, however the topic is relevant because it is fundamental to you having breakfast, a wash, and getting on with you day. Let me explain.

  1. 11월 24일

    Insider Threat – Looking at the ‘Whole Person’

    In this episode, we explore why understanding the whole person is essential to managing insider threats across Australia’s critical infrastructure sectors. Drawing on decades of national security experience, the discussion examines why insider threat remains one of the most complex and misunderstood challenges under the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (SOCI Act). We unpack the behaviours, vulnerabilities and coercive pressures that can turn a trusted insider into a threat, the realities of foreign interference, and the importance of moving beyond simplistic assumptions about ‘rights’ and workplace culture. The episode also highlights why a whole-person approach to personnel security is not only effective, but necessary for organisations seeking to build a trusted workforce. This episode is based on an article by Tim Slattery, who served 37 years in Australia’s defence, intelligence and national security community before moving into consulting. Tim now co-leads Pentagram Advisory, with a focus on insider threat mitigation and personnel security across government, industry and critical infrastructure. If you work in protective security, critical infrastructure, risk management or insider threat programs, this episode provides practical insights into one of the most pressing and least understood challenges facing Australia today.

    11분

  2. 11월 19일

    When familiarity creates blindness: Rethinking insider threat, leadership influence and the future of trusted workforces

    In this episode, we explore one of the most overlooked vulnerabilities in today’s organisations: the way familiarity, comfort and trust can blind leaders to emerging insider-related risks. Drawing on recent NPSA research and Pentagram Advisory’s insights, we unpack why insider threat often feels “unlikely,” how the psychological contract shapes behaviour long before policies do, and why point-in-time checks provide only the illusion of safety. We examine the cultural resistance to insider threat programs, the language barriers that shape organisational acceptance, and the leadership blind spots that allow early warning signs to go unnoticed. Most importantly, we discuss how shifting from blind trust to informed trust can strengthen culture, governance and accountability — and what it takes to build a truly trusted workforce in an evolving threat landscape. If your organisation is reassessing its people-related risks, workforce suitability, or insider threat maturity, this episode provides a clear, practical lens to recalibrate assumptions and enhance preparedness.

    15분

  3. 11월 14일

    Building Assurance: A Framework for Risk-Based Supply Chain Mapping and Categorisation

    In this episode, we unpack one of the most critical challenges facing Australia’s essential services: understanding and managing the risks hidden within complex supply chains. Modern critical infrastructure depends on long, interconnected, and often opaque networks of suppliers — and under the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018, these dependencies are now a regulated security obligation. Drawing on Pentagram Advisory’s Eight-Step Risk-Based Supply Chain Mapping and Categorisation Framework, we explore how organisations can move beyond tick-box compliance and build a defensible, intelligence-led approach to supplier assurance. From governance and threat analysis to mapping, tiering, and continuous monitoring, this episode breaks down each step in practical terms for boards, senior executives, and security practitioners. You’ll hear how the right framework can transform supplier oversight from a procurement activity into a core protective security function — strengthening resilience, reducing over-reliance, and giving decision-makers a clear line of sight into vulnerabilities across every tier of the supply chain. Whether you work in energy, water, transport, telecommunications, or any sector covered by the SOCI Act, this episode provides essential insights for building assurance in an increasingly interconnected and risk-exposed environment. A supply chain is only as strong as the weakest link you can see. Tune in to learn how to make those links visible, verifiable, and secure.

    18분

  4. 10월 20일

    In the National Interest: China’s Cognitive Warfare

    Welcome to another podcast in Pentagram Advisory’s ‘In the National Interest’ series, a series in which we explore geostrategic issues relevant to the security of Australia’s critical infrastructure. In this episode we will explore the subject of the China’s waging of cognitive warfare against Australia and other Western democracies. We will explore the relevance of the threat of cognitive warfare Australia's critical infrastructure and consider mitigations that critical infrastructure owners and operators may take.

    29분

  5. 10월 16일

    Establishing a Critical Worker Identification and Risk Management Framework

    Across Australia’s critical infrastructure sectors, one of the most persistent challenges under the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 is identifying and managing critical workers — those individuals whose absence, compromise, or misconduct could disrupt essential services. In this episode, Pentagram Advisory introduces the Seven-Step Critical Worker Identification and Risk Management Framework — a practical, regulator-aligned approach that helps organisations move from compliance to confidence. Tim and Marina unpack the legislative foundations, share insights from industry engagements, and outline how clear governance, operational mapping, and proportionate assurance measures can transform workforce compliance into lasting capability and assurance. Whether you are a security or risk professional, HR leader, or executive responsible for essential services, this episode will help you strengthen your organisation’s resilience and meet the intent of the SOCI framework with clarity and purpose. 🔗 For more insights, visit Pentagram Advisory or follow us on LinkedIn.

    17분

  6. 9월 22일

    When Trust Breaks, Free Will Decides: How the Psychological Contract Shapes Insider Threat and Cyber Security Compliance

    Why do employees sometimes go above and beyond to protect their organisation — and other times bend rules, ignore policies, or disengage from security altogether? In this episode, Pentagram Advisory explores the role of the psychological contract — the unwritten expectations of trust and fairness between employer and employee — and how its breakdown fuels insider threats. Drawing on research from the University of Warwick, we unpack why technical controls alone aren’t enough, how to recognise early signs of a breach, and what leaders can do to repair trust before it escalates into a security risk. For leaders, executives, and practitioners, this is a reminder that the deciding factor in insider threat is rarely opportunity — it is choice. And choice is shaped by trust.

    12분

  7. 9월 9일

    Countering Foreign Interference: Insider Threat Programs For Australia’s Critical Infrastructure

    Espionage and foreign interference are now assessed as certain threats to Australia’s critical infrastructure. In this episode, Pentagram Advisory explores how insider threat programs — guided by the Protective Security Policy Framework and aligned with SOCI Act obligations — help organisations counter these risks. We unpack why people are both the first line of defence and the most attractive target.

    12분

  8. 9월 6일

    ESG and the Human Factor: Why personnel security must be a core feature of ESG strategy

    ESG is one of the most decisive forces shaping corporate strategy and investment worldwide. But while environmental and governance issues dominate the headlines, the social dimension — the human factor — is often overlooked. In this episode, Pentagram Advisory explores why personnel security is the missing link in many ESG programs. We examine the risks posed by workforce vulnerabilities, insider threats, and supply chain exposures, and why boards and executives must integrate personnel security into ESG strategy to build resilience, protect value, and maintain stakeholder trust. Join us as we uncover how the people side of ESG could be the decisive factor in safeguarding purpose, performance, and profitability for organisations managing critical assets.

    14분
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What comprises Australia’s national interest, and how does the rise of insider threat activity in Australia’s critical infrastructure connect to Australia’s national interest? I expect this topic was not the first thing on your mind when you woke this morning ready for breakfast and a hot shower, however the topic is relevant because it is fundamental to you having breakfast, a wash, and getting on with you day. Let me explain.

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