Cyber Security
Capturing the essence of networking - Cyber Risk meetup, Melbourne wrap Up By Chris Cubbage, Executive Editor
Interview with Jacqui Loustau, Founder of the AWSN
18 | Australian Security Magazine
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he group representation of thousands of cyber security professionals in Australia, from seniors to students, and otherwise just curious minds, was captured at the latest Cyber Risk Meetup. Held in Melbourne on April 30, in association with the Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN), supported by Illumio and Privasec and hosted by Ernst & Young Australia in Exhibition Street, the opening panel represented the ‘on the ground’ founders of leading meetup groups in the Australian cybersecurity industry. Shamane Tan, Founder of the Cyber Risk Meetup gathered together the opening panel, with Matt Tett, Founder of Day of the Month (DOTM) Club, Mike Monnik, Organiser of SecTalks Meetup and Founder of the Deakin University Information Security Club (DISC), and Jacqui Loustau, Founder of the AWSN. Together these ‘founders’ each represent different, yet cross complimentary segments of the industry, now running in the majority of Australian states and territories. Matt Tett’s DOTM clubs, be they a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday of each month, capture about 2,000 networkers across the country, sharing an ale or two and discussing their focus of interest. Be that for consulting or technical teams, to students and through to the industry retirees, often paired with younger up-and-comers. Matt brings a relaxed and inclusive approach to his events and they’re an ideal chance to connect and network. For Mike’s SecTalks, coincidentally on the last Wednesday of each month, the focus is more on garnering technical skills. To ensure focused learning, numbers are often capped at 80- 100 attendees, despite growing to about 1,500 national members. Held at the PWC Tower in Melbourne, the SecTalks dive into red teaming and penetration testing
and are an ideal opportunity for teams and even students, coming into the city from the suburbs, to hone their skills. Shamane Tan outlined the secret of success for the Cyber Risk Meetups, now spanning Australia and Singapore. These quarterly events provide a unique opportunity for senior executives to share their experiences in mixed panel and presentation settings with a ‘no-sales’ approach. The format clearly works and with 1,500 members, the CRMs (#CyberRiskMeetup) are a full house each and every time. Having interviewed Jacqui Loustau for a podcast just prior to the event, it was an insight to learn the AWSN was born from her desire to share her own challenges in being one of the few women in the room, attending industry events in a male dominated sector. She wasn’t alone. The women’s network grew rapidly, and nationally, to now having 1,700 members and retaining the focus of connecting, supporting and inspiring women in the security industry. This includes cybersecurity, physical security or the less recognised security roles like business continuity and fraud prevention. Together the panel of four provided great insight into the cybersecurity sector and the desire for learning, sharing, networking and connecting across Australia and beyond. Mike pointed out that going to Sec Talks, or any networking group, is like going to the Gym. The reason people stop going is the lack of community and making friends to go with you. The real value each of these groups offer is a genuine approach to friendship and inclusion. When asked how to address the key industry challenges, if it was up to Matt, he may well turn the Internet off to solve the cybersecurity challenge – many agree that is probably the only solution. For Mike, it was getting cybersecurity taught as early as possible, including primary school. Collaboration is key for Shamane and Jackie summed it up nicely; with ensuring