KBKAST

• Episode 299 Deep Dive: Gerry Sillars | Attackers Don't Take Holidays

  In this episode, we sit down with Gerry Sillars, Vice President APJ from Semperis, as he discusses Semperis’ Holiday Ransomware Report. Gerry delves into the constant threat posed by attackers who don’t take holidays, emphasizing the need for organizations to protect their networks and systems at all times. He highlights the startling statistics from the report, such as 69% of ransomware attacks occurring on weekends or holidays, and the surprising 83% of organizations targeted by ransomware in the last year alone. We also explore the challenges of striking a balance between maintaining adequate cybersecurity measures and managing business costs, as well as the importance of having a comprehensive disaster recovery plan, especially during significant corporate events. Gerry Sillars is the Vice President of Asia Pacific at Semperis, a leading provider of enterprise identity protection, threat research, and incident response services headquartered in Hoboken, New Jersey. In this role, he heads the APAC operations and focuses on expanding Semperis’ footprint in Australia, ASEAN, Japan, Korea, and India while evolving the company’s channel business. Gerry Sillars has over 20 years of experience building and scaling software businesses in APAC. Before joining Semperis, he played pivotal roles in Commvault Systems, Alcatel Lucent, UpGuard, and Fortanix. Gerry lives in Singapore with his wife, is an Australian citizen and a native of Scotland.

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• Episode 298 Deep Dive: Grant Bourzikas | Future-proofing Security

  In this episode, we sit down with Grant Bourzikas, Chief Security Officer from Cloudflare, as he shares what lessons he learned from 2024. Grant emphasizes the industry’s need to move beyond outdated technology to enhance security postures and reduce complexities. He discusses the impact of artificial intelligence on security, the challenges of leveraging AI, and the necessity for organizations to embrace it strategically. Furthermore, Grant highlights the importance of modernizing security infrastructures, simplifying environments, and the critical need to cultivate new talent in the field to tackle the evolving landscape. Grant Bourzikas joined Cloudflare as the Chief Security Officer in 2023, where he is a driving force in helping the company achieve its mission to build a better Internet. As a critical component within Cloudflare’s ecosystem, Grant’s primary role is to protect the company from sophisticated adversaries to stay ahead in today’s cybersecurity landscape. He oversees Cloudflare’s threat intelligence services, which successfully mitigate 170+ billion attacks daily, in addition to acting as “Customer Zero” to help foster innovation across all Cloudflare products and services. Grant is a seven-time CSO with over 20 years experience leading global security programs that span the private sector, having worked at a Fortune 500 critical infrastructure company, an online trading organization and within the gaming space. Most notably, Grant spent several years in the financial services industry at both HSBC and Silicon Valley Bank. Grant holds a Master’s in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence from Southern Methodist University, and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Missouri in St. Louis. He is a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional).

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• Episode 297 Deep Dive: David Gee | Career Guide for Aspiring CISOs

  In this episode, we sit down with David Gee, advisor at JS Careers, Bain & Company, and Emertel, as he shares insights on aspiring and growing into a CISO. David delves into the importance of international experiences, driving change, and effectively communicating with boards as key traits of a true leader. He reflects on personal experiences that shaped his leadership journey, emphasizing the need for continuous learning and adaptability. We also explore corporate dynamics, discussing the challenges of genuine leadership and the nuances of climbing the corporate ladder, as well as how to effectively navigate and implement leadership strategies in different environments. David has just retired in July 2024 and is building out his portfolio. He is an Advisor with Bain Advisory Network and also an Advisor to JS Careers (Cyber Recruitment) and Emertel (Software Commercialization). He is a seasoned technology executive with significant experience and has over 25 years’ experience in CIO and CISO roles across different industries and countries.  At Macquarie Group David served as Global Head Technology, Cyber and Data Risk. Previously was CISO for HSBC Asia Pacific.  His career as a CIO spans across multiple industries and geographies including – Metlife, Eli Lilly and Credit Union Australia. He was winner CIO of the Year 2014, at CUA where he successfully completed a significant Transformation of Core Banking, Online and Mobile Banking systems. David is past Chairman for the FS-ISAC Strategy Committee and awarded Global Leaders Award in 2023 for his contributions to the cybersecurity industry. A regular conference keynote speaker and 150+ published articles for CIO Australia, Computerworld, ITNews and CSO (Cyber Security), David now writes for Foundry CIO.com and AICD. His most recent book – the Aspiring CIO & CISO was published in July 2024 and David is writing his second – A Day in the Life of a CISO with a number of CISOs from around the world for 2025.

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• KBI.Media Update | Cordant launches DevSecOops

  We are thrilled to announce the arrival of a new addition to our podcast family on KBI.FM: DevSecOps, brought to you by Cordant. Hosted by the insightful trio of Tom Walker (the infrastructure tragic), Scott Fletcher (the security ninja), and James Vincent (the cloud alchemist), this show promises to deliver a deep dive into the world of cloud, security, and infrastructure. Here are 3 key takeaways for you: Comprehensive Expertise: Engage with content that combines expertise in infrastructure, security, and cloud, providing a holistic view of today’s technological environment. Diverse Perspectives: Hosted by industry specialists, the podcast brings together various outlooks, giving listeners a rich and varied understanding of complex topics. Part of KBI FM Network: As a part of the respected KBI.FM podcast network, expect well-curated content designed to inform and inspire.

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• Episode 296 Deep Dive: Vishwanath Nair | Emergence of IT/ Cyber Leaders as Trusted Advisors and Business Value Creators

  “The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this interview are solely Vishwanath Nair’s and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of his employer, clients, or any affiliated organizations.” In this episode, we sit down with Vishwanath Nair, Head of Cyber Risk and Compliance at Baptist Care, as he explores the evolving partnership between IT and business. Vishwanath discusses the critical role of IT in digital transformation, the importance of data as a key business asset, and the proliferation of AI tools in enhancing IT-business alignment. He addresses the historical lack of trust between IT and business, emphasizing the need for effective communication and co-design to improve this relationship. With over 25 years of experience, Vishwanath (Vish) is a leading authority in Risk Management, specializing in Information Security (InfoSec), IT Service Management, and Business Resilience on a global scale. He has led multi-million-dollar transformation initiatives across key sectors such as Public Sector, Critical Infrastructure, Healthcare, and Manufacturing. Vish’s recent work as the inaugural Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at the NSW Electoral Commission earned him the prestigious CSO30 Business Value Award 2024 by Foundry. His role was critical in safeguarding the Commission’s cybersecurity, where he developed security services from the ground up, embedding them into the organization’s processes to support the delivery of secure and transparent elections. Currently, Vish serves as the Head of Cyber Risk and Compliance at BaptistCare NSW/ACT, one of Australia’s leading Aged Care providers, where he oversees the security and compliance frameworks that protect critical services. Previously, as Global Continuity Lead at Emirates Airlines, Vish was responsible for enhancing IT and Business Continuity practices globally. He also established Cyber/IT Trusted Advisory services, aligning business and IT strategies for optimal results across the airline’s operations. Known for his collaborative, inclusive leadership style, Vish has built and nurtured high-performing teams, maintaining exceptional retention rates. His commitment to professional development and industry advancement is reflected in his active contributions to organizations like ISACA, AISA, and BCI, where he has served on the Board of Directors for ISACA UAE and BCI UAE. Vish is also a prolific public speaker and has earned numerous industry accolades, solidifying his position as a trusted leader and influential voice in the cybersecurity and risk management sectors.  

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