Cyber Business Protection – Being Savvy & Secure in This Digital World

Victoria is a passionate advocate for cybersecurity awareness, particularly for non-technical audiences. Her background in politics, sociology, public relations, and marketing, combined with experience in cybersecurity sales, gives her a unique perspective on the human element of cyber threats. She emphasizes the critical need for broader education, highlighting the challenges faced by everyday individuals, especially older generations and small business owners, who often lack the knowledge to recognize and respond to risks. Victoria's engaging presentations use personal anecdotes and industry statistics to illustrate the alarming reality of cyber threats. She advocates for integrating practical cybersecurity knowledge into education from an early age, empowering individuals and fostering a more informed community. Victoria offers actionable insights, inspiring a proactive approach to cybersecurity that extends beyond the corporate world.

Scott, a Financial Advisor with 20 years' experience following a career as an Avionics Technician with the RAAF, understands the critical importance of cybersecurity in protecting client data and investments. His boutique firm, Private Portfolio Strategies, provides tailored investment services and strategic advice, including superannuation, retirement planning, and risk management. Regulated by ASIC, Scott has firsthand experience navigating cybersecurity compliance, beginning with implementing the Essential Eight Maturity Level 1. He's focused on continuous improvement, addressing cybersecurity holistically across staff, clients, and service providers through education, process changes, and technology upgrades. Scott is passionate about sharing his journey, including the challenges and key insights gained, emphasizing the vital role of cybersecurity in safeguarding businesses information and investments – their "diamonds."

Bryton Wishart, co-founder of VINTI Tech, a company that delivers Microsoft security solutions for various industries, and co-founder of Cured Compliance, a digitized compliance platform for the meat industry, brings practical cybersecurity expertise to the panel. His experience spans diverse sectors, from tech startups to established enterprises. As a tertiary educator in cybersecurity at the University of the Sunshine Coast and a Microsoft technology consultant at Telstra, Bryton bridges theory and real-world application. Holding an MBA and a Bachelor of Education, he possesses a strong understanding of both business needs and effective communication. A Microsoft technologies specialist, he's passionate about automation and developing innovative solutions. Bryton is eager to share his insights on navigating the complexities of cybersecurity and building resilient digital defenses for businesses of all sizes.

Dennis Desmond has spent the majority of his career in the counterintelligence discipline, first as a U.S. Army Special Agent, later as an FBI Special Agent, and finally, as a Special Agent with the Defense Intelligence Agency. Dennis is a veteran of Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom IV, and V. As an FBI Special Agent, Dr. Desmond was assigned to the National Computer Crime Squad as a National Security Division detailee. Dennis specialised in international and state-sponsored cyber threats, especially those from Eastern Europe. Dennis also worked closely with the various intelligence community members on national security-related cybercrime issues. As a Senior Intelligence Officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency, Dennis served as a HUMINT support officer focusing on identity Operations and Identity. Dennis earned several awards and recognition of his establishment and leadership of a specialised cyber unit at Fort Meade, Maryland for the US Department of Defense. Dennis’s last assignment was with the US Special Operations Command as the Chief Identity Scientist supporting Special Mission Unit operations.

Dennis was selected to attend Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government as a National Security Fellow, attended the George C. Marshall School of Government in Garmisch, GE as a Senior Fellow, and has attended a variety of specialised law enforcement and intelligence training courses throughout the world. Dennis has also been an instructor for various U.S. Government agencies specialising in signature reduction, identity operations, and other intelligence related topics.

For his PhD, Dennis researched the processes used by criminals to launder cryptocurrencies from a human factors and sociotechnical systems perspective. He is also currently a researcher at the Centre for Human Factors and Sociotechnical Systems on darknet interventions under an ARC Linkage Grant. Dennis has extensive experience working with international law enforcement and intelligence agency personnel.