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In November 2024, I had the incredible honor of participating in the Australian Cyber Conference Melbourne, an event that brought together over 6,000 cybersecurity professionals, government leaders, and industry experts from around the world. Organized by the Australian Information Security Association (AISA), the conference impressed me with its thoughtful content and the openness of both participants and the organizing team, which made it easy to collaborate and share ideas.

My time at the conference was filled with opportunities to engage and share insights:

• Leading the RSA Security CISO Boot Camp: This session provided a chance to work closely with fellow CISOs, discussing strategies to tackle real-world risks and capitalize on emerging opportunities. Following the format I presented during the CISO Boot Camp at RSA in San Francisco, I was excited to share ideas tailored specifically for security leaders, adapting them to the unique challenges and opportunities in the Australian context.
• Delivering the Opening Keynote: It was an honor to open the largest cybersecurity conference in Australia with my keynote. I shared insights on the evolving role of security leaders in navigating today’s challenges and driving digital transformation, drawing from my experiences at eBay, PayPal, Facebook, Uber, Cloudflare, and now as the head of my own security consulting business.

In addition to these speaking engagements, the experience extended far beyond the stage. I was fortunate to appear on the ABC national radio morning show and CBS evening news, where we touched on the importance of events like CyberCon in driving meaningful change.

The conference also had its lighter, yet deeply inspiring, moments. The Gala Awards Banquet was a personal highlight—an evening that celebrated the remarkable contributions of individuals and organizations to the cybersecurity field. From students and interns to mentors and corporate programs supporting the next generation, the event felt like the Academy Awards for cybersecurity, reflecting the values that make this community so special.

What struck me most throughout my time in Melbourne was the unique culture of the Australian cybersecurity community. The nonprofit-driven mission of AISA to foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing is something I believe the rest of the world can learn from. It made me wonder how we could bring a similar spirit of collective purpose to the U.S. cybersecurity landscape.

I’m truly grateful for the invitation to be part of the Australian Cyber Conference. It was an absolute privilege to contribute to such a dynamic and impactful event, and I’m excited to continue the conversations and collaborations sparked at CyberCon 2024.