KBKAST

In this episode, we are joined by Ashwin Ram (Office of the Chief Technology Officer – Check Point) as he dives deep into the need for clear communication of cyber risks, addresses the challenges faced by security practitioners, and highlights the importance of credibility in cybersecurity strategies. From leveraging diverse threat intelligence sources to staying updated on emerging threats and attack strategies, this episode provides valuable guidance for executives and board members. Stay ahead of cyber threats, understand the evolving landscape, and ensure comprehensive cybersecurity strategies for your organization’s success. Tune in now to gain valuable, actionable insights.

Ashwin Ram is a seasoned cyber security expert and thought leader with a unique blend of CISO consulting experience and technical know-how. He is widely regarded as a trusted advisor by industry titans, startups, and industry collectives due to his ability to translate technical threats into business contexts to evaluate overall risk to organisations.

With his deep security knowledge, Ashwin can switch effortlessly between “tech talk” and “business talk,” making him a go-to person for organisations looking to bolster their cyber resilience. In his current role at Check Point Software Technologies, Ashwin assists cyber executives understand, prioritise, communicate, and address cyber risks.

In this episode, we dive deep and explore the intricate cat-and-mouse game between third-party vendors and clients in the cybersecurity realm. They discuss the challenges of ensuring that vendors fulfill cybersecurity contracts and the importance of clearly stipulating cybersecurity requirements to reduce the risk of breaches. Alen stresses the significance of vetting and continuously assessing vendors to ensure a robust security posture.

The conversation delves into the complexities of data classification, due diligence on third-party vendors, and the importance of transparency and accountability in handling breaches. Join us as we unravel the nuances of third-party risk management, cybersecurity marketing, and the potential risks and benefits of AI in the cybersecurity landscape.

Hailing from Eastern Europe, Alen arrives in Australia in 1996 and has been a daily contributor to Australia’s Cybersecurity scene for a over 15 years now. Having helped hundreds of organisations improve their threat landscape and avoid costly breaches, Alen is a leader in the spaces of cyber security, information security, risk management and governance/compliance. Being a regular guest speaker at webinars, summits and industry events – Alen is considered a valuable asset in helping non-technical people understand the value of technology risk management. Experienced across various industries including aerospace, renewable energies, legal, and our government; Alen is highly sought after as an industry subject-matter expert.

In this episode, we are joined by Rad Kanapathipillai (Head of Engineering at DevOps1) as he sheds light on the critical importance of safeguarding sensitive data right from the development phase through to production. The discussion delves into the challenges organisations encounter in protecting sensitive information and the pressing need for encryption, compliance, and code and password protection to prevent data breaches. Rad also emphasizes the urgency of prioritising data protection and implementing strategies that elevate its significance. Moreover, the conversation touches on the evolving focus on security in agile environments and the empowerment of developers to code securely. Throughout the episode, Rad presents insightful solutions, including the use of automation and AI to address security issues.

Rad, Head of Engineering at DevOps1, is a seasoned tech expert with 15+ years in the industry.

Specialising in Platforms and Security, Rad has led platform and devsecops transformations at organisations like Spark New Zealand, ANZ Government, and top financial institutions.

With a strong track record in project management and ethics, Rad has also contributed significantly at Ampion/Wipro’s cybersecurity division, Shelde where he was a Cloud Consulting partner.

In this episode, we are joined by Rob Rashotte as we dive deep into workforce culture and the skills gap. Rob talks about the need for organisations to prioritize upskilling programs and foster a new workforce culture to address skills gaps in cybersecurity. Rob highlights the importance of considering underrepresented groups and economically disadvantaged individuals, as viable candidates for cybersecurity roles.

One crucial theme that we also talk about is the misconception that a university degree is necessary for all cybersecurity jobs. Rob challenges this notion, emphasising that there are many skilled individuals without degrees who can effectively contribute to the field. However, the lack of standardised job roles and descriptions in cybersecurity makes recruiting difficult, leading to the use of a degree as a filtering criteria. To tackle this issue, Rob also emphasises the need for a structured framework for cybersecurity roles. By developing such a framework, the recruiting process can be made easier, and educational pathways can be established that may or may not require a degree. Throughout the episode, we touch upon the role of HR, the use of AI in creating inclusive job descriptions, and the importance of promoting cybersecurity careers to younger candidates.

Rob Rashotte is the Vice President of the Fortinet Training Institute and the Fortinet Technical Field Enablement Program. Rob has more than 20 years of experience developing training and education strategies for startups as well as complex global organisations. He also has more than 15 years of experience working with some of the most innovative, fast-paced companies in the cybersecurity field. Rob has an Executive MBA from the University of Ottawa and is a regular speaker at a number of business schools on the topic of cyber risk and corporate impact.

In this episode, we are joined by Jaya Baloo, Chief Security Officer of Rapid7, as we dive deep into the crucial topic of cybersecurity and its impact on revenue retention and the overall success of organisations. Jaya emphasises the importance of the security team making their contributions visible to the rest of the enterprise, rather than expecting others to figure it out on their own. They discuss the purpose of the security function, the cost of breaches, and the challenges faced by CISOs in communicating the value of cybersecurity to CFOs. Jaya also shares her predictions for the future of cybersecurity, the need for industry standards, and the importance of bringing the cybersecurity industry together to make a significant difference.

Jaya Baloo is the CSO of Rapid7 and has been working in the field of Info Security with a focus on secure network architecture for more than 20 years. She is the former CISO of Avast, and prior to that was CISO at KPN, the largest telco carrier in The Netherlands. Jaya serves on the boards of the NL’s National Cyber Security Centre, TIIN Capital, the NOS, and was former Vice Chair of the EU Quantum flagship. Shie is also on the faculty of the Singularity University. Jaya is recognised as a top 100 security influencer worldwide. In 2019, she was selected as one of the 50 most inspiring Fifty. In 2022 she received an honorary doctorate from the Uni of Twente for her contributions to the field of Cybersecurity.

In this episode, we are joined by Raj Sharma, District Sales Manager of Palo Alto, as we delve into the importance of strategic partners versus transactional partners, the shift in customer preferences, and the role of resellers in delivering exceptional value to customers. We explore how transparency, empathy, and understanding drive successful partnerships, and the challenges faced by resellers in managing multiple vendors and services. Join us as we uncover the keys to relevance, trust, and success in the ever-changing world of technology partnerships.

Raj Sharma, a seasoned professional in the realm of cybersecurity and enterprise sales, boasts nearly two decades of invaluable experience in these domains. Throughout his illustrious career, Raj has consistently demonstrated his prowess by not only navigating the complex landscape of cybersecurity but also by excelling in the dynamic field of enterprise sales.

At present, Raj holds a pivotal role as the leader of a high-performance sales team, where his strategic vision and leadership skills have contributed significantly to the team’s success. His commitment to fostering a collaborative and results-driven environment has positioned the team as a force to be reckoned with in the industry.

Raj is driven by a deep-seated passion for helping clients, partners, and his own team achieve their respective goals. His client-centric approach and keen understanding of the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape have earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor in the industry.

What sets Raj apart is not only his professional acumen but also his unwavering commitment to continuous self-development and a growth mindset. He believes in the power of ongoing learning and embraces challenges as opportunities for personal and professional growth. Raj’s enthusiasm for learning and adapting to new technologies ensures that he remains at the forefront of industry trends.

Beyond his individual success, Raj finds fulfillment in witnessing the flourishing of others around him. His leadership style is characterized by mentorship and empowerment, reflecting his genuine desire to see his team members reach their full potential. In every endeavor, Raj Sharma exemplifies the qualities of a dynamic and visionary leader who not only excels in his own journey but also inspires others to thrive in their pursuits.

In this episode, we are joined by Ben Gestier (Senior Intelligence Analyst and Team Lead APAC/EMEA – Flashpoint) as we dive deep into the complex and often underappreciated intersection of cyber and physical security. We explore the challenges of understanding and addressing cyber threats in the Australian context and the need to educate and empower individuals and organizations to navigate these evolving dangers. From the use of open source forums by threat actors to the convergence of online communication on real-world actions, Ben sheds light on the vital importance of collaboration and awareness in combating cyber and physical security threats. Tune in as Ben Gestier shares insights and experiences that highlight the critical nexus between the digital and physical realms, and learn from his call to action to enhance our understanding and preparedness in the face of converging security risks.

Ben is Senior Intelligence Analyst and Team Lead APAC/EMEA with risk intelligence firm Flashpoint. He’s former intelligence with Australian Federal Police and Australian Defence Force.

In his current role, Ben seeks to synchronise efforts across time zones and threat types to assist in protecting businesses and government elements from threats. This can include identification of risks, vulnerabilities, advanced persistent threats, and how these can manifest in the real world.

The nexus between the online threat and the physical world is where Flashpoint strives to provide assistance to its clients to help in protecting people, assets, information, and infrastructure.

Prior to joining Flashpoint, Ben was a Criminal Intelligence Analyst with the Australian Federal Police. As part of his work with AFP, Ben established the Aviation Protection Assessment Team (APAT), which was responsible for undertaking physical vulnerability assessments at airports across Australia. An integral part of this role included understanding the online communication methodology of criminal and threat elements. During his time with the ADF, Ben worked as part of the intelligence capability, in operations both domestically and internationally.

In this episode, we delve into the dynamic landscape of smart cities with a captivating discussion featuring Puneeta Chellaramani. Puneeta enlightens us on the potential benefits, ethical implications, and the evolving challenges associated with the implementation of smart city initiatives. We explore every angle from the increasing threat landscape to the potential impact on sustainability and citizens. Tune in now and learn more about digital twins, spatial services, and the implications of smart cities to everyday life.

Puneeta offers management consulting and cyber security experience with a pragmatic approach in implementing sustainable change. She is both a coach and advisor to clients across diverse industries advocating a 2-speed approach when navigating through their cyber, digital and innovation journey.

Connecting vision and reality – she helps organisations move with confidence to overcome the challenges of an ever changing threat landscape, and work with them all the way from business intent to value realisation & combat business risks.

Puneeta has been a cyber security Practitioner helping CISOs & CROs adopt pragmatic solutions that Reduce business & Compliance Risks; harnessing her exuberant skills & experience across consultative selling, building security business solutions, customer management, security advisory & roadmaps across large transformation programs.

She has provided leadership and managed large and distributed teams, managing a multi-vendor and rightshore delivery model, be seen as a cyber/technology enablement advisor in a diverse and geographically dispersed working environment partnering seamlessly across business and IT.

In this episode, we dive deep into the intersection of global events and issues and cybersecurity. David discusses the impact of geopolitical risks on cybersecurity, the urgent need for collaboration, comprehensive risk management, and the adoption of security strategies such as zero-trust.

From international trade tension to the Ukraine-Russia conflict, David and KB delve into the complex interdependencies and challenges in safeguarding organizations worldwide.

David Chow brings over 20 years of experience in the federal government to his role as Chief Technology Strategy officer. His focus includes analysing, managing, and implementing technologies to assist with building and maintaining a global cybersecurity strategy. Much of his expertise stems from working alongside the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to modernise the agency’s mortgage loan systems and mature its cybersecurity program. He served on a number of additional roles within the federal government, including executive and leadership positions at the Department of Transportation and the White House. Prior to joining Trend Micro, David demonstrated success in accelerated digital transformation through secured cloud adoption as the Global SVP on NextGen Solutions at CoreLogic, a FinTech data company. David Chow is on the Advisory Board of George Mason College of Engineering and Computing.