Climbing the Cybersecurity Ladder - Secured by Galah Cyber with Cole Cornford

Breaking into Cyber: Kiera Farrell on Growth, Networking & Early-Career Lessons

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +1000

Episode Summary

Kiera Farrell, Cyber Analyst at David Jones, shares her journey from studying a Bachelor of Cybersecurity to landing a role in cybersecurity operations. She reflects on the challenges of breaking into the industry, the lessons learned from risk management, and the importance of networking in career growth. Kiera and Cole discuss the value of stepping outside your comfort zone, the evolving landscape of cybersecurity degrees, and what hiring managers can do to attract and retain young talent. If you're an aspiring cybersecurity professional or a leader looking to support early-career hires, this episode is packed with insights.

Timestamps

2:00 – Kiera’s journey: From Bachelor of Cybersecurity to David Jones

5:00 – What studying cybersecurity is really like

8:10 – The surprising importance of risk management

12:00 – Ethical hacking & the role of security education

16:30 – The grad job hunt: what works, what doesn’t

19:45 – The power of stepping out of your comfort zone

21:30 – Building a strong professional network

23:50 – What makes an employer attractive for graduates?

26:40 – How mentorship accelerates career growth

30:35 – Advice for students and early-career professionals

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From Physics to Cybersecurity: Antonio Deliseo’s Journey from Goldmines to Telstra

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +1000

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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Leading Change in Cybersecurity: Tara Whitehead’s Approach to Security Engagement

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +1000

Tara Whitehead is Security Engagement Manager at MYOB. Prior to becoming a cybersecurity specialist, Tara had an eclectic career, including working in advertising and international relations. In this episode Tara chats with Cole about how her non-technical background has in many ways been an asset working in security, leading change management in large enterprises, the importance of great communication skills, and plenty more.

Secured by Galah Cyber with Cole Cornford website

Timecodes

7:15 - Tara's first days in AppSec

10:00 - How to influence people

12:30 - Why we should dial back on the doomsday conversation

14:10 - Find your change champions

21:30 - Is a non-technical background help or hindrance?

23:30 - Communication and influencing key skills

26:00 - Communicating with execs

28:20 - Rapid fire questions

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