In this episode, Cole Cornford is joined by cybersecurity experts and IRAP assessors, Kat McCrabb and Toby Amodio, to unpack the latest updates to the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) for 2024. They explore the significant changes introduced in the PSPF, such as the heightened emphasis on IRAP assessments, the potential strain on resources due to increased demand for assessors, and the impact on government agencies' compliance efforts. The discussion delves into the restructuring of the PSPF domains, including the separation of information and technology, and the challenges this presents for reporting and governance. They also address issues with self-attestation in agencies, insights from ANAO reports, and the critical importance of managing legacy IT systems. Kat and Toby offer valuable perspectives and practical advice for organisations navigating these new requirements, highlighting the need for proactive planning and adaptation in the evolving cybersecurity landscape.

01:27 - What is the PSPF? Toby explains the framework

03:07 - Kat discusses the biggest changes in the PSPF 2024 updates

04:20 - Challenges with IRAP assessments: time, cost, and limited assessors

06:18 - When are IRAP assessments required? Clarifications

08:13 - Changes in PSPF domains: splitting information and technology

10:08 - Implications of the changes for reporting and governance

12:15 - Comparison with NIST framework and governance considerations

13:38 - Issues with self-attestation and insights from ANAO reports

15:09 - Strategies for improving reporting and assessments in agencies

17:36 - Managing legacy IT systems under the new PSPF requirements

18:52 - Key takeaways and final thoughts from Kat and Toby

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In this episode, Cole Cornford speaks with Anand, an API security expert at Traceable AI with over 18 years of experience in crafting innovative IT solutions. Anand's expertise spans API design, microservices architecture, cloud technologies like Kubernetes and AWS, and security architecture including IAM and OAuth. Together, they delve into the critical importance of API security in today's digital landscape, discussing why traditional web security measures are insufficient, lessons learned from incidents like the Optus breach, the challenges of managing API inventories, and how AI and machine learning can enhance security practices. Anand also shares his experience writing a book during the pandemic and the value of continuous learning. This episode is packed with insights on modern application development, cybersecurity, and plenty more.

4:20 - Understanding API security challenges

9:30 - The role of AI in API security

16:55 - The importance of API inventory management

24:00 - The business impact of API security

28:00 - Cole & Anand discuss books & writing

34:00 - Current state of API security in Australia

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In this episode, Cole Cornford speaks to two guests on the topic of robotics: Damith Herath, a Professor at the University of Canberra, and Adam Haskard, co-founder and Director of Bluerydge, a Canberra-based cybersecurity and technology firm. Together, Damith and Adam are conducting research into Secure Robotics, an emerging field of study that addresses the intersection of robotic safety, trust, and cybersecurity. In their conversation with Cole, they discuss the growth opportunities for robotics, how someone interested in the field could pursue a career in robotics, potential risks of the common household vacuum robots, and plenty more.

2:00 - Robotics: definitions & applications

8:45 - The intersection of robotics & cybersecurity

10:00 - Trust & safety in robotics & cyber

15:00 - Emerging risks in robotics

18:40 - The role of cybersecurity in robotics

20:30 - Regulation and innovation in robotics

40:00 - Growth opportunities for robotics

29:00 - Future of robotics & AI

32:00 - Career pathways into robotics

39:00 - Rapid fire questions

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Ilkka Turunen is the CTO at Sonatype, a company that helps millions of software developers use open-source software while minimising security risk. In this conversation, Ilkka chats with Cole Cornford about the benefits and risk of using open-source software, how Maven helped standardise software development processes, the different approaches to AppSec regulation in Australia and Europe, and plenty more.

1:33 - Ilkka's career background

4:00 - Varying quality of open-source software

6:10 - How Maven helped standardise software development processes

13:00 - The balance between speed of delivery & quality

17:00 - Importance of environment parity in software dev

21:40 - Risk of using 3rd party code in software

25:10 - Regulation of AppSec in Australia vs Europe

32:10 - How new European software security regulations will be enforced

35:00 - Recommendations for compliance with European regulations

39:00 - Rapid fire questions

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Summary

Daisy Wong is the Head of Security Awareness at Medibank, as well as a disability advocate. Originally from a marketing background, Daisy gained experience in the cybersecurity industry working as part of penetration teams, before making her way into the security culture and awareness space.

In her conversation with Cole Cornford, Daisy discusses using the tools of marketing to educate people on cybersecurity, what are the hallmarks of a good security culture and awareness program, and the importance of diversity in cybersecurity.

Timestamps

4:00 - Daisy's transition from marketing to cybersecurity

8:10 - The importance of security culture and awareness

11:00 - Building effective security awareness programs

14:15 - The role of diversity in cybersecurity

17:00 - Strategies for inclusive hiring practices

19:40 - The power of communication in security awareness

23:20 - Creative approaches to security awareness campaigns

31:45 - Daisy's personal perspective on the importance of diversity

43:40 - Rapid fire questions

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Summary

Antonio Deliseo has been in the information security industry for decades. Currently working at Telstra, Antonio has enjoyed a long and winding career path and has plenty of stories and insights to share as a result. In this conversation with Cole Cornford, Antonio discusses how he got started in his career studying physics, overseeing cybersecurity at a goldmine, how to advocate for cybersecurity within a large organisation, and plenty more.

Timestamps

1:40 - Antonio's career background

3:30 - Advantages of coming from a non technical background

8:30 - Stories from Antonio's early career working at a goldmine

14:00 - How Antonio moved into the GRC space

17:30 - The role a board of directors plays in cybersecurity

20:00 - Cybersecurity is less like IT, more like gambling or insurance

25:30 - Calculating the cost of a breach in dollar terms

30:30 - How to advocate for cybersecurity as a CISO

40:00 - Cybersecurity often seen as unaffordable by small businesses

42:30 - Pros & cons of networked technology

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Ben Gittins is the Principal Security Engineer at Bugcrowd, one of the world's best bug bounty platforms. Ben has previously worked as a Senior DevSecOps Engineer at Canva, as well as DevSecOps Lead at SecureStack.

In this conversation with Cole Cornford, Ben shares his belief that cybersecurity needs more generalists, how coding and AppSec have changed over time, whether cybersecurity qualifications are overrated, and plenty more.

3:50 - Why is Aus cybersecurity lagging behind?

9:50 - Over-reliance on purchasing cybersecurity products

14:40 - We ask too much of our AppSec professionals

19:00 - How App development & cybersecurity have changed over time

24:00 - "Greenfield projects" are often not realistic

28:20 - How to bring new people into the AppSec industry

32:00 - Importance of communication skills

38:20 - Cybersecurity qualifications are overrated

43:00 - Rapid fire questions

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Summary

Shan Kulkarni is the co-founder and CEO of Nullify, a product designed to augment AppSec teams with AI agents capable of carrying out multiple levels of product security work autonomously. Prior to Nullify, Shan worked in roles such as Cloud Operations Lead at UNSW Redback Racing, and Cloud Security Engineer at CMD Solutions Australia.

In this conversation with Cole Cornford, Shan discusses the challenges of starting a business, and in particular the challenges of hiring, the state of AppSec in Australia, what the future might hold for the industry, and plenty more.

Timestamps

1:30 - Shan's career background

5:30 - Why AppSec is so often inefficient and expensive

9:00 - Bigh tech has a monopoly on AppSec talent

12:30 - Shan's journey from consultant to founding a company

15:40 - Biggest mistakes when starting a business

19:20 - Selling products/services to devs is extremely difficult

25:00 - Where Shan sees AppSec going

28:00 - Consolidation of security products

32:00 - What security leaders are struggling with: visibility

34:00 - Rapid fire questions

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