🗓️ Episode Overview:

In this powerful and inspiring episode of Cyber Mindsz, Jacqui Loustau, Executive Director of AWSN, shares her journey through the cybersecurity landscape—from help desk support in Europe to speaking on global stages and founding the Australian Women in Security Network.

With passion and purpose, Jacqui discusses AWSN’s role in building an inclusive security workforce, empowering future leaders, and the dream of a world where AWSN is no longer needed. Alongside stories of challenges, laughter, and transformation, this episode explores leadership, representation, capability development, and the human side of cybersecurity.

👩‍💼 Guest Biography – Jacqui Loustau

Jacqui Loustau is the Executive Director of the Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN) which aims to connect, support and inspire a diverse security workforce.

She brings over 2 decades of international experience in IT, Cyber Security and cybercrime.

Jacqui is passionate about increasing the number of women in security in Australia, building inclusive teams and educating everyone on security.

She is on several advisory committees, including the recently formed Home Affairs Executive Cyber Security Council (Workforce and small business working groups), ISC2 Global Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council and the Technical Advisory committee for the Future Skills Organisation.

🔗 Links Mentioned Throughout the Podcast

• 🌐 Quigly Website - https://www.quigly.com.au/
• 🌐 AWSN - Australian Women in Security Network - https://www.awsn.org.au/
• 🌐 ISC² Global Diversity & Inclusion Council – https://www.isc2.org
• 🤝 Home Affairs Cyber Security Council – (Referenced as part of advisory involvement)
• 🤝 Future Skills Organisation - https://www.futureskillsorganisation.com.au/
• 👤 Mark Williams – Host LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/markwilliamsmelbourne/
• 👤 Jacqui Loustau – Guest LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquiloustau/
• 📝 RMIT Partnership (AWSN Research) – https://www.rmit.edu.au

⏱️ Timestamps & Topics:

• 00:08 – Welcome Message
• 01:50 – Introduction to AWSN
• 05:38 – How would you describe what you do to a 90-year old person who really doesn't understand the computing at all?
• 07:00 – How would you describe to a 9-year old who is digital native?
• 08:45 – What is your cybersecurity origin story?
• 11:19 – Has the world of security evolved in a way that you might have thought back then in 2007?
• 17:00 – What's the most bizarre or hilarious misconception about cybersecurity that you've come across?
• 18:20 - What motivated you to establish AWSN?
• 22:08 – Will you be a happy retiree knowing your legacy?
• 25:07 – Is there one story that illustrates the success of or the important role that AWSN plays?
• 28:36 – How do you think industry itself could do more to support the development of capability within cybersecurity?
• 33:10 – If you give one piece of advice to someone aspiring to become a cybersecurity leader, what would it be?
• 35:27 - Closing

🗓️ Episode Overview:

In this episode of CyberMindsz, host Mark Williams speaks with Grant McKechnie, founder of Cyber Resilience Group and former CISO of Endeavour Group, about his diverse journey through cybersecurity and the human-centered leadership principles he’s developed along the way.

👩‍💼 Guest Biography – Grant McKechnie

Grant McKechnie is a seasoned Chief Information Security Officer and Senior Risk Leader with over two decades of experience in cybersecurity, risk management, and IT leadership.

Grant has held key positions at some of the country’s largest corporations, including Endeavour Group, Telstra Corporation, and NBN Australia.

🔗 Links Mentioned Throughout the Podcast

• 🌐 Quigly Website - https://www.quigly.com.au/
• 🌐 Cyber Resilience Group Website - https://www.cyberresiliencegroup.com.au/
• 👤 Mark Williams – Host LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/markwilliamsmelbourne/
• 👤 Grant McKechnie – Guest LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantmckechnie/
• 📕 Book – What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith - https://marshallgoldsmith.com/book-page-what-got-you-here/
• 📕 Book: Start With Why by Simon Sinek - https://simonsinek.com/books/start-with-why/
• 📝 Report – Verizon Breach Reports - https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/
• 📝 Latitude Cyber Incident - https://www.latitudefinancial.com.au/latitude-cyber-incident/
• 👤 Andrew Dell https://www.linkedin.com/in/dellandrew/
• 👤 Pieter van der Merwe - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pietervandermerwe/

Timestamps & Topics:

• 00:08 – Welcome Message
• 03:25 – How would you describe what you do to a 90-year old person who really doesn't understand the concepts of computing, let alone cybersecurity?
• 04:47 – How would you describe what you do to a 9-year old who is very well aware of what they can do with computing?
• 05:54 – What's your cybersecurity origin story?
• 10:28 – What's your go-to keep calm strategy?
• 12:10 – What are the most important qualities you believe a cybersecurity should possess?
• 15:51 – What do you think non-technical people need to focus on more to get to the top of their game?
• 17:47 – What's the most bizarre or hilarious misconception someone has had about your job?
• 19:11 – What a must-have superpower for any cyber security leader and do you think you have it and or need to evolve it further?
• 21:55 – How do you keep up with new threats that are probably perhaps more relevant to an industry or a client that you're working without going through the rabbit hole?
• 26:00 – How companies shared cyber security breaches to the public
• 28:29 – What your approach to mentoring or developing future leaders?
• 34:40 – If you could make an employee follow one security rule without question, what would it be?
• 35:37 – What's the worst piece of cybersecurity advice you've ever heard?
• 37:10 - Closing
  
  

🗓️ Episode Overview:

In this episode, host Mark sits down with Marianne to discuss her unconventional path into cybersecurity, her leadership philosophy, and the power of mentorship. From growing up in Iran and dealing with cyber threats firsthand to becoming a vocal advocate for diversity in tech, Marianne’s story is both inspiring and packed with practical wisdom.

👩‍💼 Guest Biography – Maryam Shoraka

Maryam is Head of Cybersecurity Operations (at a government agency) and a seasoned security executive with extensive experience building world-class 24/7 security operations centres. She specialises in drafting high-value cyber resilience strategies and leading organisations to swift recovery from high-impact cyber breaches. A staunch diversity advocate, Maryam is actively engaged in initiatives to accelerate women into cybersecurity and leadership positions, and has been nominated for several industry awards for her exemplary leadership.

🔗 Links Mentioned Throughout the Podcast

• 🌐 Quigly Website - https://www.quigly.com.au/
• 📖 Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed - https://www.matthewsyed.co.uk/book/rebel-ideas-the-power-of-diverse-thinking/
• 👩‍💻 AWSN – Australian Women in Security Network - https://www.awsn.org.au/
• 👤 Mark Williams – Host LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/markwilliamsmelbourne/
• 👤 Maryam Shoraka – Guest LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryamshoraka/

⏱️ Timestamps & Topics:

• 00:08 – Welcome Message
• 00:50 – Introduction of Maryam Shoraka
• 03:37 – Marianne’s early exposure to cyber threats in Iran
• 06:05 – Her shift from teaching to tech, and the impact of relocation
• 13:21 – Challenges faced as a migrant and woman in cyber
• 14:32 – Building confidence, from self-doubt to security leadership
• 16:45 – Iranian culture and cybersecurity talent
• 17:37 – Advocacy for women in cyber
• 20:50 – Cyber crisis management: walking it off
• 22:44 – Common misconceptions about cybersecurity professionals
• 24:23 – Security vs. speed: finding the balance
• 25:43 – Leadership superpowers in cybersecurity
• 28:40 – Mentoring the next gen of cyber leaders
• 31:31 – Her #1 non-negotiable: Multi-factor Authentication
• 33:43 – Worst cybersecurity advice ever received
• 35:44 – Future of cybersecurity leadership
• 36:59 – Final advice: Why people matter most