AUSCERT 30 Years 30 Stories – Shelly Mills Championing AUSCERT’s passion for positive change, Shelly Mills shares why she thinks AUSCERT is the best cyber organisation an organisation could partner with. Shelly has attended the AUSCERT conference four years in a row. As the Cyber Security Improvements Manager at the University of Queensland, Shelly speaks testament to AUSCERT’s virtues. How did you first become involved with AUSCERT? I started my first role at the University of Queensland, right before the AUSCERT conference. I remember having my first one-on-one with my boss, and my question was – can I go to the AUSCERT conference? That’s how I initially got involved with AUSCERT – it was the first thing I wanted to do. What are the key benefits as an AUSCERT member? A great benefit is the professional development offered by AUSCERT. The amount of professional development and networking you receive from the conference is awesome. Building those networks throughout your industry and other industries, including knowledge sharing, is a great benefit. How has AUSCERT evolved over the years? AUSCERT has definitely grown over the years – but a great thing is when you look at the management team at AUSCERT, they’re focused on giving back to the community. They strive to understand the community and make sure the services and provisioning align with what the community wants. What advice would you give someone considering becoming an AUSCERT member? You’ve got to join and be an AUSCERT member because they have the best conferences! I know it’s hard to justify budgets to go to conferences, but AUSCERT’s comes in its membership, so you’ll get to go to the conference. What do you think the future holds for AUSCERT? I know the AUSCERT management team are going to keep aligning their services to what the community wants. I predict there will be more training on a variety of different topics. How has your AUSCERT membership impacted your organisation’s overall approach to cyber security? AUSCERT also sits under the University of Queensland, so we’re somewhat related. We’re very lucky that our Cyber Security Operations Manager has been working with AUSCERT to share knowledge. Therefore, our membership has been very beneficial, especially for our Cyber Security Operations Centre. We learn from AUSCERT analysts as to how they do things and bring those skills back to our team. What sets AUSCERT apart from other organisations in the cyber security industry? Honestly, everyone at AUSCERT goes in with the purest of intentions, wanting to make a positive difference for the cyber security community and the community at large. Unfortunately, that’s not true everywhere else. I actually sent both AUSCERT managers an email two days ago saying thank you. They lead with such genuineness, authenticity and care, and that’s what makes AUSCERT so special. There’s a lot of people in the industry out for profit, who don’t care about the community. AUSCERT embodies all that’s good within the cyber security industry.

AUSCERT 30 Years 30 Stories – Chris Horsley Who better to hear from than one of AUSCERT’s original seven security analysts, Chris Horsley. Working with AUSCERT from 2004 to 2006, Chris is now the Chief Technology Officer at Cosive, a cyber security consultancy firm based in Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand. From helping victims get their credentials returned to utilising cryptographic analysis, Chris’ years of experience in the evolving cyber world is worth a read. Can you describe a memorable experience you had while working with AUSCERT? We dealt with a lot of financial malware back in those days — it was the early days of criminals writing malware to steal money from bank accounts, usually by stealing passwords. There was one malware crew who were more sophisticated than others and they would encrypt their data. To get their victims, they would place malware on the machines they would upload the credentials to, taking them to another server. We managed to get our hands on the encrypted data to find out whose data was stolen. We then used cryptographic analysis to work out how they were doing that encryption. We managed to break their encryptions and then we went into a big program trying to get those credentials back to the people — the bank customers, the university employees and the government employees. It was a really meaningful job and very interesting in terms of the analysis work required. Can you briefly describe your role and responsibilities during your time at AUSCERT? Between 2004 to 2006 I was one of AUSCERT’s security analysts. It was a time when there were only seven of us, meaning we all had to do a bit of everything. We had what we called ‘point’, where we triaged all the correspondence coming in; whether it was a report about incident handling or a query from a member about how to approach a certain problem. We did a lot of security vulnerability work too and were constantly flooded with new information about patches and vulnerabilities. We had to analyse each and re-bundle them for AUSCERT members. Outside of this, we travelled to many conferences because we were the national CERT at this particular point in time. We would go to international conferences and talk to our counterparts in Europe, Asia, and the United States. I got a lot of opportunities to go travelling which was an amazing experience. With AUSCERT’s vast history, did you get to work on the beginning cases of phishing in Australia? Around 2004, phishing became a big problem in Australia. AUSCERT did a lot of groundbreaking work because Australia was one of the first countries to be hit. As a team, we did a lot of analysis to find out how phishing worked, how they run their servers and where they were in order to figure out the most effective way for us to take them down. We would often try to chase the credentials and get them back into the hands of the victims. Recapping on the 30 years AUSCERT has been around, how would you say the cyber security landscape has changed? The cyber security landscape has changed drastically. We didn’t have smartphones in this era – it was all desktop machines and there were no operating systems that were self-contained mobile operators. However, despite the changes, phishing is still around and continues to this day. I still do that type of work and it’s 20 years since I joined AUSCERT and started working in this industry. One thing that has been a big change in the landscape is how mainstream cyber security has become. In the early days, a lot of companies weren’t thinking about cyber security as a problem. Businesses didn’t have cyber security officers and the board didn’t think about cyber security problems. These days cyber security is very mainstream. Another big change has been the consideration of the threat of cyber warfare. Back then, a lot of people were debating whether cyber warfare could become ‘a thing’. These days, cyber warfare has definitely eventuated and it’s definitely a different playing field in terms of how cyber security and attacks on computer systems are accepted as a serious problem. What was the most significant security incident you dealt with while at AUSCERT? One of the most significant incidents I dealt with was what I called ‘credential repatriation’ where I would find financial malware uploading to servers, often gigabytes worth of stolen credentials. I ended up writing a lot of software that analysed who got their credentials stolen. I would try to write software as best I could to get their credentials back into the hands of the organisations it was stolen from. I spent a lot of time pouring through these logs and trying to get them back into the right hands so that the owners of the accounts could change passwords and remediate damages. I remember that being very rewarding work. How did AUSCERT support its members in improving their security posture, and what were some of the most effective strategies you used? Quite often members will ring us because they would be going through an incident. At that time, there was a lot less public information and supporting documentation around. Members would often have an incident that they were trying to handle, and they would ring us, so we could be a sounding board for them. When you’re handling an incident, it can be a very stressful experience and often by talking to us, we could give feedback or listen to what they had done so far and provide them with assistance. How has your experience working at AUSCERT influenced your career path and approach to cyber security? I view my time at AUSCERT as foundational. It was my first cyber security role – prior to it I’d been a software developer building web applications. My time at AUSCERT taught me so much about incident response, coordination and vulnerability handling. One of my most rewarding experiences was the relationships I built with the other seven analysts I worked with. They were a great group of people who I stay in touch with to this day. I have so many great memories of that time.

Here are a few of our key tips to share with your family, friends, or colleagues on how to stay cyber safe! Update your devices and apps regularly Software updates often provide crucial security fixes that can rectify weaknesses that attackers can use to exploit devices. Ensure all your systems are being regularly updated, preferably automatically. Utilise strong multi-factor authentication The primary objective of multi-factor authentication is to reduce the risk of account takeovers and enhance security for users. It provides an added layer of security necessary to protect users and their data. Use passphrases and password managers A password manager is an application or program that stores passwords or passphrases for all your accounts. With a password manager, you only need to remember one master password and it can create and store complex and unique passwords. Be careful clicking links Exercise caution when encountering any links, especially those from unknown or untrusted sources. Phishing emails are often disguised as legitimate messages from reputable sources aiming to trick individuals into clicking malicious links. QR Code Phishing (“Quishing”) Only scan QR codes from trusted sources, be cautious when scanning codes received through unsolicited messages or unknown websites.[Read more about it on our blog here] Be careful using Public USB Ports  Using USB ports in public places, such as airports, can pose a security risk. Using a USB Data Blocker can block any unwanted transfer, preventing any unauthorized access or malware installation. Be mindful of Social Engineering tactics and techniques. Social engineering attacks involve manipulating individuals into revealing confidential information, performing certain actions or making security mistakes. These attacks exploit human psychology and trust to deceive victims. Educate yourself and others about common tactics such as phishing emails, pretexting (creating false scenarios to obtain information), baiting (enticing victims to download malware) and tailgating (unauthorized access to a secure area). Be careful using Public WIFI Public, or free Wi-Fi can be used to intercept data, redirect users to malicious sites and to attack devices directly. It is much safer to use the hotspot functionality of your phone. Never leave your devices unattended. You never know what criminals are lurking so it’s safe to always keep an eye on all your devices! As mobile phones are commonly used as part of multi-factor authentication they are a target for attackers. Report Report any suspicious activity! If you’re a member feel free to contact us directly and we can assist. Otherwise you can contact [Scam Watch] (https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/) Undertake training courses to better educate yourself We run a diverse range of training courses to enable you to better understand and respond to cyber threats. [For more information click here] (https://wordpress-admin.auscert.org.au/services/auscert-education/)

AUSCERT 30 years 30 Stories – Brian Hay Long term AUSCERT Cyber Security Conference presenter and supporter Brian Hay, speaks of the importance and unique qualities of AUSCERT. With a background in law enforcement within the Queensland Police, Brian now works with Cultural Cyber Security, a business whose mission is to build cyber security confidence across Australia. If you want to know why Brian wholeheartedly supports AUSCERT – read on. Working for Cultural Cyber Security, could you give us a brief history of your connection to AUSCERT? I’ve been coming to AUSCERT Cyber Security Conference for what feels like most of my life. I can’t believe it’s been 30 years! Cultural Cyber Security was born out of a need for building cyber resilience across businesses, organisations, and within people themselves. I have 37 years of experience in law enforcement as a former Detective Superintendent for Queensland Police, giving me a wonderful association with AUSCERT and an insight into how incredibly relevant the issue of cyber security is. Q: What do you think is most significant about AUSCERT? AUSCERT to me is about community, leadership and defining a difference that is meaningful for the communities of this great nation. If I had to define AUSCERT in one word, it would be thought leadership because AUSCERT brings together governments, law enforcement agencies, vendors, global brands and global speakers. The AUSCERT conference is a brilliant forum for getting thought leaders in one location to stimulate thinking today, so we’re in a better place tomorrow. How does the AUSCERT Cyber Security Conference stand out from other conferences?  When I look around at other events and I speak to a lot of people in different locations, not just in Australia but overseas, the difference is at AUSCERT you know you’re part of a community. To show you how powerful and what great allies they are, I contacted AUSCERT back in my law enforcement days if I needed a website taken down. AUSCERT could achieve it within 24 hours, as opposed to a formal process which could take weeks to achieve the same outcome. Every member needs AUSCERT as allies because we don’t know where our adversaries are and they constantly change. It’s AUSCERT and the activities that AUSCERT do with similar entities around the world, that are our best chance of defence. Looking ahead, what do you think the future holds for AUSCERT, and how do you see the organisation continuing to play a vital role in the cyber security community? The cyber security community has many moving parts and lots of self-interest, but the beauty of AUSCERT is that it’s not about self-interest. AUSCERT is more about the interests of the greater Australian community. When I look at other events, what I see is a focus on the vendor. Vendors are important, but what’s more important is the technology conversation. With AUSCERT it’s about the technology, community, leadership and what’s coming next. It may involve technology, humanity, criminals and challenges we haven’t even thought of yet. Why do you support AUSCERT? AUSCERT provides a lot of support to organisations, and I’ve connected with them throughout my career. I’ve reached out to AUSCERT to support people or entities who are not members and they do so without question. You know they’re not negotiating a contract or seeking a financial return; they are doing it because it’s simply the right thing to do. In these ever-changing times, I have faith that integrity means something. When I think of AUSCERT I think of integrity, leadership, collaboration, community, and future. Australia needs AUSCERT and AUSCERT needs Australia to support it because the future of our children rests in the hands of entities like AUSCERT, its membership base and those who support it every year. The people in the cyber community are champions, and they need a platform to share their voice, which AUSCERT provides brilliantly.

AUSCERT has recently observed a surge in incidents of “quishing” and aims to proactively inform its members regarding this emerging threat. Quishing, also known as QR Code phishing is a type of cyber attack which involves tricking someone into scanning a QR code using a mobile device. These QR codes are designed to mislead users by appearing legitimate, often resembling QR codes found on product packaging, promotional materials, or even in public spaces. Upon scanning, the malicious QR code has the potential to redirect users to fraudulent websites, thereby exposing them to risks such as identity theft, financial fraud, or the installation of malware on their devices. The distribution of malicious QR codes can take place through various channels including email, social media, or even physical flyers. During the previous week, AUSCERT conducted analysis of email samples submitted by its member organisations. The findings revealed that email recipients were being prompted to scan a QR code, and the majority of these emails falsely claimed to originate from a manager within the respective organisation. AUSCERT observed that the QR code embedded within the email contained a URL leading to a deceptive website, impersonating reputable brands or organisations such as Microsoft. This fraudulent site then prompted the recipient to provide their credentials. To avoid falling victim to QR code phishing, here are some recommended precautions: Be cautious of the source: Only scan QR codes from trusted and reputable sources. Avoid scanning codes from unknown or suspicious sources, especially if received through unsolicited messages or emails. Preview the URL behind the QR Code: To reduce risk, utilize a QR scanning tool that provides a preview of the URL contained within the QR Code. Options available include Inbuilt camera of an iPhone previews the domain that is encoded in the QR Code. You can also use a Free QR Code Scanner to read the content of a QR code (Note: Please make sure to check privacy policies first). DNS Checker (https://dnschecker.org/qr-code-scanner.php) is one of the free tools that is available online. Use a QR code scanner with built-in security features: Opt for a reliable QR code scanner app that includes security features, such as URL scanning or warning notifications for potentially harmful websites (Ex: QR Scanner-Safe QR Code Reader (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.trendmicro.qrscan)) Keep your devices updated: Regularly update your smartphone or other scanning devices with the latest security patches and firmware updates. This helps protect against known vulnerabilities that attackers may exploit. Be cautious of personal information requests: If a scanned QR code prompts you to provide personal information, such as login credentials or financial details, exercise caution. Legitimate sources typically do not request sensitive information through QR codes. Additionally, organisations are encouraged to promote awareness and educate their staff about the risks associated with QR code phishing and implement security measures to mitigate these threats. By staying informed and taking proactive steps, we can help minimise the impact of QR code phishing attacks. More information: https://techwireasia.com/2023/08/quishing-attacks-on-the-rise/ https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2023/08/qr-codes-deployed-in-targeted-phishing-campaigns https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-life-hacks/privacy-and-safety/five-common-qr-code-scams

AUSCERT 30 Years 30 Stories – Gary Gaskell With three decades of experience in cyber security, Gary Gaskell has been putting his skills to good use by helping those with limited cyber security knowledge grow their capabilities. Based in Brisbane, Gary is a long-time AUSCERT supporter and delivers some of AUSCERT’s training programs. With a long history in cyber security, how does the industry compare from when you started? Starting 30 years ago, it was exciting. We were on the edge of something new, doing business over the Internet. We began communicating simply across borders and much faster than fax machines and letters. For the past 20 years, I’ve been working for myself, which specifically means working for others. I help individuals lift their security levels, developing strategies and understanding their risk environment. What kind of training do you provide? And why do you think this training is important? For those who have been in the industry from the start, it’s time to give back. There’s a big skill shortage in this country, where everyone should benefit from experiences like mine. I can assist clients in tackling novel situations, direct them to good information and help improve security for their organisations. Training is a challenge due to a diversity of knowledge required to secure our complex systems today. In the beginning, we had computers we called mainframes and they were easily controlled. Now there are thousands of different technologies. Our main goal is to help individuals understand the fundamental principles. What does the future hold for AUSCERT? And how do you see the organisation continuing to play a vital role in the cyber security community? AUSCERT creates huge awareness and provides opportunities for individuals to lift their knowledge and skills. For example, leading and starting the AUSCERT conference. With AUSCERT’s leadership, they created this conference, providing a platform for practitioners to share case studies. We began to share what worked and what didn’t work, learning about the future. I go to other conferences in Australia as well, but when I return to work, the things I add to my checklist are from the high-quality speakers that attend AUSCERT. I wouldn’t miss it. What sets AUSCERT apart from other organisations in the cyber security space? AUSCERT is unique in our community. They’re eager to share their information, whilst commercial suppliers typically share a limited selection of their data. Many government competitors are conscious of classification, regulating who and what they share. Whilst AUSCERT provides a holistic approach for its members, enabling agility. It’s that can-do attitude, joined by many great technicians that makes AUSCERT stand out. How should organisations facilitate skill improvement? And why is this important? AUSCERT’s training programs aim to address the skill shortages in our community. Often incidents occur due to individuals being unaware of free security features. I believe problems occur due to a lack of awareness.  AUSCERT is here to rectify this. The Cyber Security 101 course helps organisations understand the basic features available to keep companies secure. The classes are very popular and appreciated by all those who attend. Why would you encourage others to become AUSCERT members? AUSCERT has a depth of experience in responding to crises due to its long history. Their mature approach to understanding incidents and providing management is unlike any other organisation. AUSCERT’s incident management is preparing you for the unexpected. It’s not just an individual playbook for ransomware on a Windows product. That’s a key value that AUSCERT provides.  

  AUSCERT 30 Years 30 Stories – Jamie Gillespie Past AUSCERT employee and long-time supporter, Jamie Gillespie kickstarted his career in cyber security as AUSCERT experienced massive growth in the early 2000s. Allowing Jamie to travel internationally, he looks back on his time with AUSCERT with appreciation. Now working at the Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC), Jamie is a repeat speaker at AUSCERT conferences. How long did you work for AUSCERT? I was a senior security analyst for eight years in the early 2000s when AUSCERT was small and experiencing lots of growth. In 2002 AUSCERT held its first conference, which I was lucky enough to help plan, organise and execute, doing so for several years after that. We also conducted the first computer crime and security survey in 2002. Working with Katherine Kerr and the rest of the team, we asked the questions, analysed the data, and created presentations to showcase at AUSCERT and other conferences as well. What’s it like being a speaker at the AUSCERT conference? What will you be talking about this year? I’ve spoken at the AUSCERT conference for a couple of years now. Last year my presentation was on APNIC’s Vulnerability Reporting Program. This year, my presentation was on TLS implementations of SMTP servers. It’s a niche topic, but I had a good time putting the data together, and a lot of delegates were interested as well. It was great to be able to share my research and tips on improving SMTP and email security. Can you describe a particularly memorable experience you had when working at AUSCERT? The most memorable parts of working at AUSCERT was when I moved into the training team. We were delivering training in capital cities around Australia and New Zealand. We delivered technical training as well as security management training. I went to many countries doing Computer Security Incident Response Team training (CSIRT), helping them to grow or establish their teams. Thailand was my favourite, but I also travelled to Papua New Guinea, Mexico, Chile, Peru, and Singapore. I found helping other countries create their own national security teams to be very rewarding. Some governments took longer than others, but now I can look back and see these countries with established national security teams, participating in global cooperative efforts to make the internet more secure. How has the cyber security landscape changed since you worked at AUSCERT, and what new threats have emerged? Security has changed a lot since my time at AUSCERT. In the eight years I was there, we began selling security to organisations, informing them of the importance of security programs and technical security uplifts. Now with the high publicity of major security breaches, such as Optus and Medibank, it’s impacting almost everyone on a personal level. It doesn’t matter if they’re regular employees in an organisation or on the board and C-suite, employees understand security because they’re being impacted day to day. On a corporate level, this has made security discussions much easier. How do you think AUSCERT support their members in achieving their security posture and what are some of the most effective strategies you used? In the early 2000s, we had the basic incident response and training services, but now AUSCERT has expanded. The number of services that they’re providing, both technical and human interaction are wonderful. The AUSCERT Cyber Security Conference is a great forum for raising security awareness and providing knowledge sharing. When AUSCERT started in 2002, there were no good independent security conferences in Australia. Some were vendor-based, but it was largely vendor pitches. The general services that AUSCERT provide to all members have been growing and I’m excited to see what AUSCERT does next. How has your experience working at AUSCERT influenced your career path and approach to cyber security? When I started at AUSCERT in 2001, I had recently moved from Canada and while I was working in IT, I didn’t have the opportunity to concentrate on a dedicated information security role. My senior security analyst role at AUSCERT gave me the opportunity to concentrate on security. The eight years that I spent at AUSCERT really kickstarted my information and cyber security career. I have a lot to pay back to AUSCERT for the opportunity that they gave me at that time and how they helped me progress in my career. AUSCERT is responsible for a significant portion of where I am today.  

AUSCERT 30 Years 30 Stories – Victor Bradbury Manager of Information Technology at St. Michael’s College, Victor Bradbury has been attending the AUSCERT Conference for seven years. Grateful for the trust and community built at AUSCERT, Victor reflects on his conference visits as not only the perfect way for him to safeguard his school, but to constantly stay up to date with cyber security information and to consecutively win the speed Lego building competition. After your first conference, what motivated you to become a member? St. Michael’s is a small school so when I attended my first conference, there were all the big boys, the corporates and a lot of the universities. After talking to everyone, I quickly realised what I didn’t know, but everyone looks after you at AUSCERT. It’s a strong community that all the people I spoke to at the first conference I speak to now, seven years later. I learned all my security basics from that first conference. What are some key benefits you’ve experienced as an AUSCERT member? The main benefits would be the certificate service. Additionally, the contacts you make are so important. If I have any issues, I can go straight to them to ask. We thankfully haven’t had to use any of AUSCERT serious takedown services yet, and hopefully, we never do, but having AUSCERT in our back pocket gives us peace of mind. Looking ahead, what do you think the future holds for AUSCERT, and how do you see the organisation continuing to play a vital role in the cyber security community? I think AUSCERT’s future is bright because it’s not-for-profit. You can trust what everyone’s telling you and what they’re doing. AUSCERT has set the industry standard and is highly respected. From corporates and universities down to small businesses like us, this sense of trust is so important.  How has your membership in AUSCERT impacted your organisation’s overall approach to cyber security, and what changes have you implemented as a result of your involvement with the organisation? When I first came to the conference, I didn’t know what was going on in the cyber security world, and it could have been very intimidating. Each year there seems to be a new threat, which can be hard to keep up. AUSCERT is three to six months ahead of what you might see on the media and they keep me ahead of the game. I look at what the corporate organisations are doing and then scale it down to suit us. Can you speak to that point specifically about cyber security for schools? Do you think your school is ahead of other schools? I’m unsure if we’re ahead but I take the approach that if I look at what people are doing in the industry and scale it for our use, we can minimise risk. We have security 24/7 for our school. That would be unheard of five years ago. Anything else you would like to add? I would like to say thank you to the team. They are a great bunch of people to work with. As a small fish in this industry, we are treated just as well as the large corporations that partner with AUSCERT and I think that’s amazing.

AUSCERT 30 Years 30 Stories – Dushyant Sattiraju Attending the AUSCERT conference for the past six years and presenting for the past four, Dushyant Sattiraju speaks of the helpful platform AUSCERT has provided. As the Security Operations Manager at Deakin University, AUSCERT membership has enabled Dushyant to bounce ideas and receive timely, supportive feedback ensuring the university’s cyber safety. How did you first get involved with AUSCERT and what motivated you to become a member? When I first started at Deakin, I was the only security staff. As we didn’t have a history of security, I needed support. I reached out to the community to see if anyone was willing to share their stories about what they were doing and what they were they prioritising. AUSCERT was a welcoming community and I got to connect with other universities and organisations that had similar security history as me. The ongoing sharing of stories and learnings has been one of the main reasons for my involvement. What are some of the key benefits you’ve experienced as an AUSCERT member, both in terms of the resources and support offered? One of the key benefits of membership are the AUSCERT services. I used a few services at Deakin such as the take down system, along with the threat intel platform. I found the analyst in the team very supportive and ideal for bouncing ideas off. AUSCERT’s conferences are an interesting avenue to meet different people from different organisations and various sectors, which has been great as well. What advice would you give to someone considering becoming an AUSCERT member, and why do you believe that membership is valuable for organisations of all sizes and industries? You get a lot for what you pay for with the AUSCERT membership. Not only do you get access to the conferences and events, but you also get access to the community. The community is very generous in sharing and forthcoming. Trying to implement new technology? Ask your questions to the community and they’ll get back to you within minutes. AUSCERT has connected me to organisations that I had never met before, supporting discussions about our technology and security journey overall. Looking ahead, what do you think the future holds for AUSCERT, and how do you see the organisation continuing to play a vital role in the cyber security community? AUSCERT is great for connecting people. For example, there are a few subgroups, such as the university sharing community to increase collaboration and knowledge sharing. The past few years I’ve talked about our experiences and incidents we’ve had. I predict we will see a lot more of these stories in the future – a fantastic opportunity to continue learning.

AUSCERT 30 Years 30 stories – Daisy Wong Defining results-focused leadership, with a strong management connection, Daisy Wong is the Security Culture and Awareness Lead at Flybuys. Working with a disability, Daisy is an amazing thought leader and advocate for inclusive work environments. Daisy champions those with disabilities and shares why she appreciates AUSCERT’s inclusivity efforts. What advice would you give an organisation looking to prioritise diversity and inclusion, when hiring and retaining talent? For those reading, I have a physical disability which means I am in a wheelchair. Over the years, I have worked in a few organisations that weren’t prepared for me. I have arrived and found stairs, meaning I couldn’t even get into my workplace. I’ve experienced hiring managers ask inappropriate questions in interview settings such as – how do I make a cup of coffee and get back to my desk – a strange question, with nothing to do with the job. The number one thing I would recommend for organisations wanting to improve inclusivity is to ask the candidate or the person what they need to succeed. Don’t make assumptions that they cannot do something or make assumptions that they can. Create the ability during applications for accessibility information to be very clear. Although I have a physical disability, there are all different kinds of disabilities, for example, colour blindness, or audio issues, so it’s important to consider all disabilities – not just the visible ones. How has AUSCERT played a part in helping generate diversity and inclusion in the industry? AUSCERT has done a lot of good things relating to diversity in the industry. Firstly, the conference is always accessible. I’ve seen two other people in wheelchairs, and I’ve never had an issue getting up on the stage when presenting. Regarding the industry, AUSCERT is highly supportive of the Australian Women Security Network. I volunteer with this network, and they’ve always had a booth at the conference. AUSCERT also works with BDO, an inclusion technology company, showcasing how they support their initiatives. What strategies have you found most effective in creating an inclusive workplace culture? To create an inclusive culture for organisations, the best way is to ask the individuals and listen to their needs. Flybuys has done a great job; when I started, we had a conversation about my limitations and what I can do and can’t do. Since then, every event I’ve attended has been accessible and I don’t have to continually inform Flybuys. As an employer, you need open communication, a willingness to listen, and an ability to adapt and be flexible. How would you recommend organisations address discrimination bias in the workplace? Unfortunately, discrimination bias still happens, and organisations need to find ways to address them. The first thing to do is lead with empathy. Many individuals don’t understand that what they say hurts my feelings or makes me feel like I can’t ask for help next time. From a corporate or organisation point of view, training should be provided to staff because so many people make comments unconsciously. They may not have met someone in a wheelchair before and therefore might not know how to be helpful. For example, I don’t like my wheelchair being pushed without you asking, but if you see me struggling and you want to offer help, I do appreciate it. It’s about asking the person. How far do you think the industry has come and what do you think we can expect for the future? This is AUSCERT’s 30th year and 22nd conference, and only my second time, but I’ve noticed many changes. I’ve been in cyber industry for eight years, and I’ve already seen a lot of change. Firstly, there are more women. However, women still only represent 17% of the whole industry, meaning we’ve got a long way to go. That said, compared to other conferences, AUSCERT has a much healthier balance. AUSCERT values the encouragement of women in the industry, which I’ve observed AUSCERT apply to their own organisation by hiring females in roles.

My Time on the BSide This week, a few AUSCERT staff members journeyed from sunny Brisbane to brave the crisp Melbourne air and participate in the annual BSides conference. BSides is a volunteer-driven initiative spearheaded by members of the infosec industry who share a common objective: to foster and support a thriving cybersecurity community. The conference offers a platform for first-time speakers, students, as well as new and experienced professionals to showcase their work in a friendly and welcoming environment. AUSCERT takes great pride in sponsoring this event and contributing to the growth of the cybersecurity industry in Australia. One of our AUSCERT team members who participated in BSides Melbourne last weekend was our Senior Software Developer, Lucas. This week, we had the opportunity to sit down with Lucas to delve into his highlights, favourite sessions, and other noteworthy aspects of the event. Here’s his first-hand account of the experience. Highlights One of my standout moments from the conference was teaming up with a colleague to take part in the Capture the Flag (CTF) competition. A CTF competition is composed of many different challenges that fall under different cybersecurity categories. The challenges vary in difficulty and are designed to test the participants cybersecurity skills, whilst also offering valuable hands-on learning and networking opportunities. These challenges provide a unique educational and training experience within a fun and competitive environment. As a software developer, I typically don’t engage in offensive security work. However, this challenge provided me with a unique opportunity to broaden my expertise and skills in this particular field. Achieving the 11th position in the challenge among 53 other competing teams was a proud moment for me. It demonstrated that I do possess a certain level of proficiency in this area and continues to motivate me to pursue further skill development in this field. Favourite Session One session that left a lasting impact on me was Paul McCarty’s talk on defending the software supply chain. As a software developer focusing on the development operations space, this session provided invaluable insights into crucial considerations and areas for improvement. In an era where the software supply chain faces increasingly sophisticated attacks, it’s imperative for software developers and engineers like me to comprehend how to safeguard against emerging and existing threats to the software supply chain. The session explored valuable open-source tools that can assist organisations in establishing new processes and developing tools to enhance the security of their software supply chains. The session put into perspective the breadth of the software supply chain and how it can be attacked, and it introduced me to some very useful open-source tools for visualising and improving the security of AUSCERT’s software supply chain. Interesting Aspects One particularly interesting aspect of the conference was the extensive focus on career support and guidance they offered. It was truly inspiring to witness the dedication to fostering professional development and the readiness to assist attendees at various stages of their careers. The conference featured sessions led by experts who offered invaluable advice and support, enabling individuals to expand and evolve in various aspects of their careers. Moreover, it encouraged attendees to explore new passions that might not yet exist in their current fields. In summary, my experience at BSides Melbourne was truly memorable, primarily due to the opportunity to connect with numerous outstanding individuals in the industry. The sessions were both relevant and engaging, and the warm and inviting attitude of the entire staff and community contributed to a friendly and welcoming atmosphere that everyone enjoyed!

Mikhail Lopushanski is the Chief Information Security Officer for Heritage Bank and has been in the information security space for close to 30 years. Involved with AUSCERT in its early days, Mikhail has an appreciation for the partnership that AUSCERT offers and its mission to help all organisation improve their information security.  How did you first become involved with AUSCERT, and what motivated you to become a member? I became an AUSCERT member in the late 90s. As an organisation, we required a partner, somebody that could help advise and mature our information security space. It was great having an organization that wasn’t connected to a vendor, government, or any particular area. AUSCERT helped my organisation to mature in that area with guidance, as well as providing us with alerts and starting to give us broader levels of alert capability than what we could do internally. How has AUSCERT evolved over the years, and what changes have you seen in the cyber security landscape that have affected the organisation’s work? AUSCERT has greatly developed since the late 90s. As a start-up coordinating globally, AUSCERT was able to provide information back to its members that was significantly up to date. You have to remember this is early days of internet and browser access. As AUSCERT developed, I’ve moved to several organisations and our needs have changed depending on our maturity. I found that AUSCERT was able to meet those needs regardless of what stage we were in. I’ve worked with AUSCERT across many projects, including setting up a threat intel group across the financial sector. AUSCERT fundamentally assisted me to set this up and to reach out to certain numbers that met the criteria of financial service spaces. I view AUSCERT as a true partner. How has your membership in AUSCERT impacted your organisation’s overall approach to cyber security? And what changes have you implemented as a result? AUSCERT is a partner that can help an organisation mature in this space. In my experience going from several organisations that are less mature in information security to other organisations that are quite mature, the needs from what we wanted AUSCERT to do changed from place to place. AUSCERT has certainly matured in this space over time. For a time they offered flying doctor service for incident response and they have really developed their capability for incident response, but also identification and threat intelligence and starting to provide quality IOCs and quality information to organisations. They shared this intelligence making it available across multiple industries. That development that AUSCERT created fell in line with how the industry over the years has also developed, becoming a real industry leader. Is there anything else you would like to add? Happy 30th AUSCERT and I look forward to working with you in the next few years!