Jun 19RSA Conference 2022 RecapKey takeaways from the world’s largest cybersecurity conference This wasn’t my first RSA Conference in San Francisco. Given the state of the world however, it was the first time I’d been able to attend for a number of years. It was a privilege to be back. …Rsac 20225 min read
Mar 29Cybersecurity and the Australian Federal Budget 2022I looked for the cybersecurity line items in the budget so you don’t have to. Initial Thoughts I commented in my corresponding post when last year’s budget was released that: “This (2021) budget continues the historical trend of spending a significant amount on national security, which includes cybersecurity, but having most of…Cybersecurity4 min read
Sep 21, 2021Behind the scenes of year two at a venture-backed cybersecurity startupAvertro just turned two. These are some of the real moments from our second year. If you’re wondering what happened in year one, I wrote about it last year. 5th September 2020 “Oh s***, we’re a year old,” I thought to myself. …Startup14 min read
Sep 9, 2021Founder mental healthToday is R U OK Day, so I’m asking myself if I’m really ok. Team member: Ian, are you ok? I feel like you ask everyone else if they’re ok. But I don’t know if they ever ask you back. So, I’m asking. Me: You know there’s always something bothering…Mental Health4 min read
Aug 15, 2021How to get an entry-level cybersecurity job in 2021There is no shortage of people wanting to break into the industry, so how do you stand out? The unicorn A few years ago, I hired someone into our team at one of my previous employers. …Cybersecurity8 min read
Jun 22, 2021Cybersecurity and the NSW Budget 2021-22I looked for the cybersecurity line items in the NSW budget so you don’t have to Initial thoughts Despite the recent release of the NSW Government’s updated Cyber Security Strategy, very little cyber has actually made it into the budget. While the budget includes $500 million of additional funding allocated to the…Cybersecurity2 min read
May 19, 2021How I write presentationsI’ve been asked by a number of people how I do this, so here’s a few tips. I’ve delivered more than a thousand presentations over the years. Some for small audiences, and occasionally for thousands of people. This article isn’t about the act of doing a presentation. That is a…Tips5 min read
May 11, 2021Cybersecurity and the Australian Federal Budget 2021I looked for the cybersecurity line items in the budget so you don’t have to Initial thoughts This budget continues the historical trend of spending a significant amount on national security, which includes cybersecurity, but having most of the money directed towards the government’s own departments. We cannot be cyber resilient as…3 min read
Feb 7, 2021Common traits of candidates who deserve the jobWant to give yourself the best chance to land that job? Make sure you nail these. I’ve personally interviewed more candidates for open roles at Avertro in the past year than the previous 10 combined, such is the nature of being a startup founder that doesn’t have the luxury of…Recruitment2 min read
Jan 25, 2021The most important job interview question to ask candidatesHow people answer this question tells you more than you may realise. I’m not a recruitment professional, yet it’s always been part of my job. As a startup CEO, hiring the right people is critical to our success. Avertro is just over a year old now. In that time, I’ve…Hiring4 min read
