In this episode, we sit down with Agnidipta Sarkar, Chief Evangelist at ColorTokens, as he explores why organizations should have invested in cyber defense yesterday. Agnidipta highlights the increasing pace and impact of cyberattacks despite rising cybersecurity spending, emphasizing that the real challenge is a matter of mindset rather than budget. He discusses the evolving role of boards and leadership in prioritizing digital resilience, the need to treat cyber defense as a fundamental business cost, and the critical distinction between risk and danger, especially for sectors like critical infrastructure.

Agni is a CxO Advisor specializing in digital resilience and cyber defense, with a primary focus on strengthening digital environments to ensure that organizations are adequately prepared for cyber attacks as they reap the benefits of digital business. With over three decades of insightful experience in the fields of cybersecurity, continuity, crisis management, privacy, and risk optimization, he actively advocates for and promotes zero-trust principles across complex systems, including on-premises, cloud, and operational technology/industrial control systems (OT/ICS) environments. Agni is a highly regarded speaker and thought leader, contributing his expertise to various industry forums and standards organizations, such as ISO and the Cloud Security Alliance, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of cybersecurity practices for a safer digital landscape.

In this episode, we sit down with Ivano Bongiovanni, General Manager at AUSCERT, as he unpacks the evolving landscape of the cybersecurity profession. Ivano discusses the shift towards developing complementary skills beyond technical expertise, emphasizing the value of communication, stakeholder management, and project leadership alongside core technical abilities. He explores the concept of T-shaped professionals and advocates for hands-on, experiential learning to build these diverse skill sets. The conversation delves into the ongoing debate around the professionalization of cybersecurity, with Ivano highlighting the pros and cons of structuring the industry with formal certifications versus a more open, experience-based approach. He stresses the importance of open, constructive dialogue within the community to address these issues, ultimately focusing on the shared goal of strengthening cybersecurity and fostering a more mature, collaborative industry.

Ivano is a researcher, consultant, author, and speaker whose work focuses on the managerial and business implications of Cybersecurity.

He is the General Manager of AUSCERT, a not-for-profit organisation affiliated with UQ that delivers cybersecurity services to public and private sector organisations across Australia and New Zealand.

Ivano is also a Senior Lecturer in Cybersecurity Management with the UQ Business School and a member of UQ Cyber.

Ivano helps business leaders and executives make evidence-based decisions in cybersecurity. With a professional background in risk and security management, Ivano’s work bridges the gap between technical cybersecurity and its repercussions across organisations. He has advised ministers, policy-makers, board members, and senior executives on strategies, governance structures, policies, and training programs for effective cybersecurity management. Ivano is also an experienced facilitator in the fields of Design Thinking and Design-Led innovation, having run since 2015 more than 50 design-led workshops and longer projects for public and private sector organisations.

Prior to AUSCERT and UQ, Ivano worked as a Research Fellow with the Adam Smith Business School (University of Glasgow) and a Postdoctoral Fellow with the PwC Chair in Digital Economy (QUT). In this role, he worked with public and private sector organisations in projects aimed at facilitate their transition into the Digital Age. Ivano obtained his PhD from QUT in 2016, with a thesis on safety and security management in Australian airports. His academic career includes stints with Bocconi University and SDA Bocconi School of Management (Milan), where he worked as a faculty member and consultant for three years.

He also worked as a Deputy Venue Security Manager at the XX Winter Olympic Games – Turin 2006 and as a Police Officer for the Italian Ministry of Interior.

He has a double MSc in Management of Public Administrations and International Institutions (Bocconi University, Milan) and International Security (Sciences Po, Paris).

A father of one and an eager snowboarder, Ivano loves soccer, American football, and writing novels and poems.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Keith Dorsey, founder and executive advisor at Boardroom Journey, as he discusses charting an intentional path toward corporate board service. Keith explores how board recruitment has evolved from a “club” of familiar faces to a more skills and strategy-based process, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection, understanding one’s unique value, and being intentional about board aspirations. He shares insights on how uncertainty reduction theory influences board selection, the growing demand for diverse expertise, especially in areas like technology and cybersecurity, and the need for corporate athletes who can contribute broadly. Keith also addresses the complexities of diversity, equity, and inclusion on boards, dispelling myths about meritocracy versus diversity, and encourages aspiring board members to ensure alignment with board cultures before committing.

Dr. Keith D. Dorsey is a researcher, author, advisor, and active board member focused on issues  of diversity, governance, and strategic growth for private and public corporate boards. His recent  research examined women executives’ pathways to securing corporate board seats, yielding  powerful insights about the barriers and facilitators unique to women candidates seeking these  positions. His book, The Boardroom Journey: Practical Guidance for Women to Secure a  Seat at the Table, combines his research insights with his extensive executive, board, and  industry experience. He speaks on topics related to governance and navigating the path to the C suite and boardroom. As an executive advisor, he is focused on increasing Optimal  DiversityTM within corporate senior management, executive, and board-level roles.  

Board Experience and Certification  

Keith is a National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Certified Director and was  recognized as an honoree of the 2023 NACD Directorship 100, an annual recognition of 100  leading corporate directors and corporate governance experts who impact boardroom practices and  performance. He serves as a board member at Vimly Benefit Solutions, a private technology and  third-party administration company; Continu, a private learning management system SaaS  company; Pepperdine University’s Graziadio Business School, Pacific Crest Trail Association;  and the Chair of the City of La Quinta’s Financial Advisory Commission. Former Board Member,  Orion Talent, a recruitment process outsourcing and talent acquisition firm. Keith is also an  Executive Leadership Council (ELC) member and a graduate, mentor, and advisor of Santa Clara  University’s Black Corporate Board Readiness program.  

Corporate Experience  

Keith founded the Boardroom Journey, a leadership development consultancy dedicated to  helping professionals access board education, gain needed certifications, and make efficient  progress to the C-suite and the boardroom. As a senior advisor at Boyden, a global executive search  and consulting firm, he also helps executive teams and boards enhance their governance quality  through a comprehensive set of board consulting services, including full-scale governance review,  board, committee, and director assessments, M&A governance planning, board refreshment, and  CEO succession planning.  

In his former role as President and Executive Advisor for Dorsey Management Consulting, he  mentored and advised CxOs on their sales growth and go-to-market strategies, helped businesses  align their strategies with sales expectations, aggressively grew their bottom line and shareholder  value during significant periods of change, and optimized leadership and sales team effectiveness. 

He has over 25 years of sales leadership experience in the Human Capital Management industry,  such as at Alight Solutions (formerly Aon Hewitt and Hewitt Associates), a $2.3B leading provider  of human capital solutions where he served as the Executive Vice President, Global Head of Sales  responsible for the overall sales growth strategy and execution. Under Keith’s executive  leadership, his sales teams consistently produced double-digit annual growth. Prior to joining  Hewitt Associates, Keith worked with Paychex, Inc., a Fortune 1000 payroll and HR outsourcing  company, for 16 years. He was a Zone Sales Manager responsible for the growth and delivery of  revenue in their Human Resource Service Division. Before Paychex, Keith spent three years in the  insurance industry and five years serving his country in the U.S. Air Force.  

Education  

Keith has a Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership at the University of  Southern California. His dissertation research examined gender and ethnic diversity on corporate  boards. He also holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and a BS in Business Administration  from Charter Oak State College. 

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Mackenzie, cybersecurity committee member from the Australian Computer Society (ACS), as he explores the converging worlds of cyber and physical security and what it means for securing society into the future. Sam highlights the growing risks faced by critical infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of cross-functional collaboration between IT, operational technology, and engineering teams. We dig into why many organizations still fail to capture cyber-physical risks in their enterprise risk registers, how leadership and purposeful collaboration can bridge longstanding disciplinary gaps, and why regular practice, scenario exercises, and embedded cyber champions are essential to build resilience. Sam also discusses his work with the Australian Control Rooms Network Association (ACRNA), the increasing pressures faced by control rooms due to more frequent severe weather events, and the impact of regulations and “secure by design” principles on product development and security investment.

Sam Mackenzie is a driven technology and cybersecurity leader with 25 years of experience dedicated to protecting and advancing critical infrastructure. As a valued committee member of both the Australian Control Rooms Network Association and the Australian Computer Society, Sam is known for his structured thinking, his talent for simplifying complex challenges, and his ability to harness culture as a catalyst for meaningful change. Sam’s career spans leadership roles with global brands and household names in Australia, where he has built high-performance teams across sectors including health, telecoms, energy, and local government. With hands-on expertise in seven of the eleven Security of Critical Infrastructure (SOCI) Act sectors, Sam’s straightforward approach and thought leadership—evident through his frequent speaking engagements, panel hosting, and published works—continue to drive high-quality technology and security outcomes.

In this episode, we sit down with Helmut Dansachmueller, VP RFID Products Identification Technologies at HID, as he explores the growing need for passwordless authentication in safeguarding Australia’s healthcare industry. Helmut highlights the global nature of security threats, emphasizing that seamless, user-accepted MFA and FIDO-based systems are critical for protecting patient data without imposing extra burdens on employees. The discussion covers the frustrations employees face with password management—including frequent changes and insecure storage and the importance of user education and acceptance for successful security adoption. Helmut also addresses practical challenges in clinical environments, such as the need for fast, reliable access during emergencies and robust processes for lost credentials, and looks forward to future innovations like biometrics to further streamline secure authentication in healthcare.

Helmut has been in the security business for more than 25 years in various management roles for some of the leading suppliers of a broad range of security solutions. He also holds some patents. Within the last 20 years he has successfully led different engineering, global product management and marketing teams. His portfolio includes one of the first VPN products ever as well as solutions for HW-based encryption solutions in combination with RFID technologies managed by his various teams. He has been with HID now for more than 15 years with a focus on RFID technologies, and is used to challenging the status quo in seeking more customer-friendly solutions and services.

In this episode, we sit down with Samuel Tseitkin, Founder of ExiQuantum, as he explores the profound impact of the quantum era on cybersecurity. Samuel explains the basics of quantum computing, highlighting how quantum bits (qubits) differ from classical bits, and delves into the unique opportunities and challenges quantum technology presents. The discussion covers quantum’s unparalleled ability to solve complex optimization problems, its looming threat to existing cryptographic systems, and the exponential pace of change reminiscent of AI breakthroughs. Samuel also addresses industry skepticism, the importance of early preparation, and crypto agility in the face of pending quantum advancements. We examine real-world efforts by tech giants and governments, potential timelines for widespread adoption, and the promise of a “golden age” of cybersecurity where quantum may ultimately bolster defenses against cyber threats.

Samuel Tseitkin is a passionate advocate for emerging technologies, with a strong foundation in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. During his university years, he co-founded the Artificial Intelligence Student Society (AISSOC), a hub for students collaborating on AI projects, where he contributed to and facilitated multiple initiatives.

After completing his Cybersecurity studies at Monash University, Samuel became deeply interested in quantum computing and its implications for digital security. Recognising the urgent need to adapt cybersecurity strategies for a post-quantum world, he founded ExeQuantum to not only raise awareness of the quantum threat but also provide cutting-edge cryptographic solutions.

Since then, Samuel has established himself as a thought leader in post-quantum cybersecurity, delivering lectures, leading panels, and driving discussions across Australia’s top innovation and technology hubs, including Stone & Chalk, the University of Melbourne, and Monash University. His mission is clear: to ensure businesses and institutions are prepared for the next era of digital security.

In this bonus episode, we sit down with Juan Loaiza, Executive Vice President, Mission-Critical Database Technologies, and Chris Chelliah, Senior Vice President, Technology and Customer Strategy JAPAC. Together they discuss the how enterprises are leveraging AI and cloud infrastructure, and updates on the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) strategy in the JAPAC region.

Juan Loaiza, Executive Vice President, Database Technologies, Oracle

He is responsible for leading product strategy, development, and management for the world’s leading transaction processing and engineered systems technologies, in the cloud and on-premises. His team is focused on automating and converging database technologies to make application development and operations dramatically easier, saving customers time and money and allowing them to focus on what matters most to them.

Juan holds BS and MS degrees in computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1988, he left the MIT doctoral program to join the Oracle Database engineering team and has been an innovator in database technologies ever since. In his free time, Juan is an active supporter of more than 15 organisations around the world that work to conserve wildlife and wild places, including WildAid and Wildlife Conservation Network.

Chris Chelliah, Senior Vice President, Technology and Customer Strategy, Oracle JAPAC

Chris Chelliah leads Oracle’s digital transformation strategy across Japan and Asia Pacific, driving hypergrowth in cloud infrastructure and autonomous databases. He oversees cloud specialist sales teams, industry architects, and Oracle Insight experts to deliver a consultative, customer-focused approach that helps businesses achieve their goals.

Chris has nearly 30 years of experience across a variety of portfolios in Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America. Previously at Oracle, he focused on customer success with consulting and implementation services in global projects in the telecommunications, financial services, and government sectors. He’s a frequent industry speaker and contributes regularly to trade and industry journals and opinion pieces on applications for emerging technologies.

In this episode, we sit down with Simon Hodgkinson, Strategic Advisor at Semperis, as he shares his insights on the persistent and evolving tactics of state sponsored cyber actors targeting Australian organizations. Simon explores motivations behind these attacks, emphasizing that their primary drivers are often espionage and the prepositioning of access in critical infrastructure rather than financial gain. He discusses the persistent targeting of Australia due to its geopolitical alliances, the growing desensitization to data breaches, and the rising threats to sectors like healthcare. Simon also highlights the dual-edged role of AI in both defending against and enabling sophisticated cyberattacks, the importance of speed in responding to incidents, and the necessity of robust foundational controls to manage growing risks.

Simon Hodgkinson, Strategic Advisor at Semperis

Simon Hodgkinson is the former Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at bp. He was responsible for cybersecurity including strategy, governance, architecture, education, counter threat operations, and incident response. He joined bp in 2002 and has held several senior IT leadership roles.

Prior to becoming CISO, he was the VP for Infrastructure & Integration Services at bp. During this time, he drove a significant improvement in IT operational integrity, led a transformation program and spearheaded the commitment to improve employees’ IT experience. He led the CISO function in bp Supply & Trading, where he delivered a program to improve cyber-controls, many of which have been implemented across the bp group. Before joining bp, Simon worked in IT for a dotcom, an investment bank, and commercial software companies.

In this episode, we sit down with Reuben Koh, Director of Security Strategy APJ at Akamai, as he explores the rapidly evolving landscape of cyber threats and strategies for defense. Reuben sheds light on the significant rise in sophisticated ransomware attacks, the increased targeting of industries like healthcare and finance, and the shifting tactics of threat actors, including data theft and extortion without encryption. He also highlights the surge of hacktivism linked to geopolitical events, the growing role of AI both as a weapon for attackers and a tool for defenders, and the challenges organizations face in balancing fast-paced innovation with cybersecurity preparedness.

Reuben Koh is a Director of Security Technology & Strategy at Akamai Technologies where he provides deep thought leadership and advisory in helping clients align security strategies with their core business initiatives and digital transformation processes.

He also works with Fortune 1000 enterprises and business partners across Asia Pacific & Japan in providing cybersecurity guidance and expertise, especially in domains such as Web Security, Zero Trust, SASE, XDR, network security and Security Operations.

With close to 20 years of experience in cyber security, Reuben previously held prominent leadership roles with industry leaders such as Symantec, CA Technologies, VMware and Cisco Systems. Reuben also holds various industry certifications such as CISSP, CISA, CISM and

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Peake, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Senior Vice President of Security at Smartsheet, as he explores what lies ahead for cybersecurity in Australia and its impact on businesses in 2025. Chris discusses the evolving role of AI—both as a tool for cyber adversaries and as an advantage for defenders—and highlights how AI-driven attacks are likely to decrease the time to exploit vulnerabilities. Chris also shares insights on communicating business enablement and risk with executives, the shift towards integrating security across all business functions, and the need for organisations to use security as a foundational business strategy in order to drive growth and customer confidence.

Chris Peake is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Senior Vice President of Security at Smartsheet. Since joining in September of 2020, he is responsible for leading the continuous improvement of the security program to better protect customers and the company in an ever-changing cyber environment, with a focus on customer enablement and a passion for building great teams.

Chris holds a PhD in cloud security and trust, and has over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity during which time he has supported organizations like NASA, DARPA, the Department of Defense, and ServiceNow. He enjoys biking, boating, and cheering on Auburn football.