We went to Canberra Cyber Hub HQ to chat with Dr. Vicki Gardiner (COO) and Madi Cook (Engagement Manager). 

Vicki has had a lengthy career in STEM but is a chemistry girl at heart. Vicki is our first guest to not only have a PhD but to have her own Wikipedia page. Did we also mention she has an award named after her called the Vicki Gardiner Advocacy Award? 

Madi has also had an interesting career that started in the travel industry only to be disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. She then pivoted into recruitment and tech roles before joining the Hub. She discusses the transferable skills like communication and problem-solving that helped her get to where she is now. 

They explain the Hub’s role as a not-for-profit supporting cybersecurity (and expanding into space and quantum), and promote the Cyber Career Symposium, which showcases varied cyber careers for high school students, tertiary students, and career changers through panels, expos, hands-on activities, and expert advice. They also discuss workforce demand, the Cyber Warden program, cyber hygiene, AI tool risks, and cyber’s importance to protecting people, data, and national resilience.

Canberra Cyber Hub website:

https://canberracyberhub.com.au/

Cyber Careers Symposium registration (for graduates/career changers):

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/cyber-career-symposium-tertiary-students-graduates-career-transitioners-tickets-1982142697165?

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We're joined by Kersti Eesmaa, a former Estonian diplomat and current advocate for cyber resilience in Australia. Kersti shares her journey from diplomacy to becoming an ambassador for Estonia in Australia, and her transition to a new life and career Down Under. She opens up about her unique voice, the result of a childhood health crisis, and how it has become her trademark in public speaking.

The discussion covers the concept of cyber reserves in Estonia and Australia's potential for adopting a similar model. Kersti highlights the importance of community service in cyber security, the challenges, and the need for collaboration across various sectors. 

The conversation also touches upon the significance of digital identity, online elections, and how digital solutions can help vulnerable communities, offering lessons from Estonia's advanced digital infrastructure. The episode is a blend of personal anecdotes, professional insights, and a vision for a digitally resilient future.

Cyber Civilian Reserve:
https://www.verticalscope.com.au/cyber-civilian-reserve

Cyber Volunteer Report:
https://bond.edu.au/sites/default/files/2025-07/CyberVolunteerReport2025FIN.pdf

Australia Needs a Civilian Cyber Reserve:
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-needs-a-civilian-cyber-reserve-state-emergency-services-are-the-model/

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In this episode of Lost In Cyberia, we’re joined by Rue Maharaj. Rue shares his extensive background, detailing his journey from South Africa to Australia via New Zealand, and his transition from private sector IT roles to public sector cybersecurity. 

Focusing on his current role in cybersecurity defence management at Melbourne Water, Rue highlights the critical importance of incident response and psychological resilience in cybersecurity. The discussion dives deep into various profiles of cyber attackers, cybersecurity awareness, and the essential role of human psychology in both defending against and responding to cyber threats.

 Rue also emphasises the need for diverse skill sets in the industry, advocating for the integration of fields such as psychology and criminology into cybersecurity practices.

CyPsy Conference 2026:
https://cypsy29.ulusofona.pt/

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We are back in 2026 with our first guest of the year Louis Cremen (although this was recorded last year). Louis shares his interesting career journey from software development to becoming a leading cybersecurity educator. He talks about the challenges of centralising security testing for a whole country, the thrill of traveling and working internationally, and the importance of sovereign capabilities in AI and quantum computing for Australia. 

Louis shares his teaching experience, including the power of using Spider-Man references and Annie-Mei shares hers too of using animal noises to explain English words. Louis emphasises the importance of staying curious, continuous learning, and the need for Australia to step up its game in promoting local talent and businesses in cybersecurity. 

Whether you're a newbie in cyber or a seasoned pro, this episode has something for everyone. Tune in for a mix of humour, education, and inspiration to get out of your comfort zone. Also a reminder that not all risk is bad, as taking risks breeds innovation and creativity!

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In the final episode of their first season, hosts Annie-Mei and Anika celebrate reaching 1,000 downloads with a not-so-suspicious balloon and recap the whirlwind year of 2025. The duo chats about their international listeners, weird podcast recommendations for pets, and their favourite episodes and guests. The conversation then takes a reflective turn as they answer each other’s questions about personal growth, setting boundaries, and their experiences in the podcasting and content creation world. Along the way, they share plenty of laughs, anecdotal stories, and think about the year ahead. Instead of New Years Resolutions, they choose three words they want 2026 to be.

Casefile True Crime - Silk Road:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6y7EbFjfnKXq2e7aCt81A7?si=iJowU33ZTVqIIchQ5TbWvQ

Tiff In Tech:

https://youtube.com/@tiffintech?si=xiauxUTvF1cR_flS

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Why should you have to decide between listening to Miley Cyrus or Justin Bieber on your phone? With the cloud you don't have to... but at what cost?

This episode of Lost in Cyberia was recorded down in Melbourne while we were there for CyberCon. We recap what we've been up to the last few months while also debunking some of the funniest misconceptions about “the cloud.”

Equal parts educational and entertaining, this episode is a perfect blend of pop culture banter and tech nostalgia. 

¿Por qué no los dos?

iCloud breach:

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-29039294

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In this episode of Lost in Cyberia, hosts Annie-Mei and Anika welcome James Corera, Director of Cyber, Technology and Security Program at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI). James shares insights on his extensive career in national security, his educational background, and his experiences in intelligence and foreign policy. The discussion covers the evolving nature of global threats, ASPI's role in providing diverse policy perspectives, and the complexity of cybersecurity challenges. The conversation also explores the importance of diversity in national security, the impact of constant connectivity on younger generations, and the need for constructive debate and empathy in addressing national and global issues.

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In this episode of Lost in Cyberia, hosts Annie-Mei and Anika welcome special guest Ray Goldman, a former miscreant turned Business Information Security Officer. Ray shares his journey into the InfoSec world, his involvement with the DC 814 hacker meetups, and his passion for pro wrestling. The discussion covers topics such as community building within cybersecurity, the importance of soft skills, mentorship, and the psychology behind both cybersecurity and pro wrestling. Ray also provides insights into the hiring process, the impact of youth on cybercrime, and the benefits of having diverse teams. The conversation dives into pro wrestling’s influence on various aspects of life and work, illustrating how the art of storytelling and psychology plays a role in both fields.

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In this episode of 'Lost in Cyberia,' hosts Annie-Mei and Anika are joined by Betta Leon Delsordo and Clarissa Bury, to discuss their journeys and expertise in cybersecurity. 

Betta shares her path from self-taught coder to lead application penetration tester at OnDefend, with a focus on application security and AI hacking. 

Clarissa, a strategic advisor with experience at CrowdStrike and Rapid7, talks about the importance of tabletop exercises and proactive security measures. 

Both guests highlight their involvement in the cybersecurity community, emphasising mentorship, public speaking, and the significance of creating an inclusive environment for women in technology. 

The discussion also covers the evolving landscape of AI in cybersecurity, challenges for small businesses, and the differences in the industry between the US and Europe. 

As the guests prepare for new adventures, Betta moving to Italy for a role at Amazon Web Services and Clarissa job hunting in Berlin, they reflect on the importance of community and continuous learning in their professional growth.

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Hosts Annie-Mei and Anika unpack social engineering or “human hacking”, with insights from books by Chris Hadnagy and Kevin Mitnick. They break down the attack lifecycle, common tactics (phishing, pretexting, tailgating, quid pro quo), and how AI is supercharging scams, then share practical defences: pause-and-verify, reduce digital footprints, and normalise double-checking at work and home. A clear, actionable guide to spotting and resisting manipulation online and off. 

Practical takeaways

• Pause and verify: If there’s urgency, slow down. Confirm via a second channel (Teams/Slack/phone) using contact details you already trust.
• Know your own levers: List your motivations and soft spots (travel deals, pets, promotions, family). Expect lures to target them.
• Harden your photos & profiles: Ask permission before posting others; avoid location tags; check backgrounds for whiteboards, monitors, ID, or addresses.
• At the door: Challenge tailgating politely; ask for ID and verify with the office before granting access—even to someone in high-vis.
• At work: Prefer frequent, tailored awareness over once-a-year training; normalise “it’s fine to check with me” in leadership; run realistic simulations.
• At home: Talk with family and friends about what not to share on your behalf.

Resources for further education:

• Chris Hadnagy — Social Engineering: The Science of Human Hacking
• Kevin Mitnick — The Art of Deception; The Art of Invisibility

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