MEETUP
The future of innovation & the BIG CISO question? Cyber Risk Meetup – Sydney Wrap-up
I
n support of ISACA’s SheLeadsTech initiative and
on aptitude rather than qualifications is also an
but CISOs may still be segregated to have policy
once again, months of hard work, the Cyber Risk
important factor, particularly in cybersecurity.
freedom and separate to operations. Organisation
Meetup moved on from a successful Singapore
Interestingly, but maybe not surprisingly, ‘return
size and maturity all has an influence on where the
meetup and back to Sydney. At the central high-rise
to work mothers’ and ‘military veterans’ have
CISO may sit.
offices of AWS, and sponsored further by Privasec,
both been shown to show positive aptitude for
nearly 150 cyber riskers heard from six special
cybersecurity. Maybe it’s the ‘battleground’ traits
is good! Anticipating the unexpected, being able
guests in an exclusive two segment panel session.
they share?
to adapt the language to stakeholders, be across
The Future of Innovation panel, moderated by
The younger generation are doing so much
What skills does a good CISO have? Paranoia
the C-Suite. Cybersecurity can be perceived as
Igor Shparberg, Director, e-Pocket (Int) and joined
more with technology and the expectation on
complex – trying to use analogies can help, such as
by Gillian Findlay, COO, Safety Culture, Frances
younger people will continue to be so much
brakes on a car are there for safety but allows the
Bouzo, Head of IT Security, iCare NSW, and Tabitha
more. However, the digital disruption is only just
car to drive faster. CISOs also need to understand
Bauer Executive Manager of Digital Assurance,
beginning. The way we recruit is still using tunnel
the business and the biggest hurdle can often be
CBA kicked off with ‘What gets you up in the
vision and we can learn a lot of lessons from the
the sales team – who and what is really driving the
morning?’ The panel entered a great discussion,
past – a good example is how start-ups can be a
business. Security should enable the business and
from finding offices for a start-up in Surry Hills,
source of learning for large enterprise and likewise
be engaged.
motivating young people, and through to building a
start-ups can learn from enterprise on how to scale.
commercial minded enterprise but that also makes
One good takeaway line was “We don’t have to
learning fast – is it a technical, people or process
people feel better. The things we see in cyber
reinvent, but we have to catch up!”
fail and then getting all the ducks in a row for
security is continually challenging and changing, so
The second panel, ‘Where do I put my CISOs?
Dealing with a breach is about learning – and
communications, legal and executive. If it’s a failure
it is self-motivating, but with young kids, the alarm
moderated by Cyber Risk Meetup organiser
in the risk assessment then the CISO hasn’t done
clock still helps!
Shamane Tan, APAC Cyber Security Advisor,
their job.
‘How do you keep up and translate it day to
Privasec was joined by Robert Lang, CTO,
With a packed room and nearly 100 on a
day?’ – “I hire people who are smarter than me”,
OpenMarkets, Stuart Mort, CTO – Cyber Security,
waiting list, this Cyber Risk Meetup was well served
said one panellist. Look at what’s coming. Put
Optus Business and Wouter Veugelen, CISO,
with great content, a fascinating networking mix, as
in automation and have a mix of people – the
Primary Healthcare. Matching the variety of the
well as great food and drink.
questions asked often creates learning and then
panel, was a variety of responses.
technically trying to continually improve and set the bar high in cybersecurity.
CISO’s should be their own line of business,
If you are looking for an event of quality networking and new connections, or you just want
was one view, though in contrast one panellist
to see what’s the Cyber Risk hype all about – visit
reported to the CIO. How to get cybersecurity
www.cyberiskmeetup.com and stay tuned for your
should do more with it and use it to our advantage,
embedded into the enterprise is a well-recognised
next complimentary meetup.
far more so as we work and think globally – in a
challenge. Too often plans are put in place after the
global industry with global resources. Recruiting
breach has occurred. Reporting to the CIO is okay
How important is diversity? In Australia we
38 | Australian Security Magazine