KBKAST

Recorded live from Extreme Connect in Orlando, KB sits down with Markus Nispel, CTO EMEA & Head of Office of the CTO at Extreme Networks, and Michael Jones (MJ), VP of AI and Innovation, Office of the CTO at Extreme Networks.

Markus gets into why networks are now a boardroom conversation, what real time data means for agentic systems, and the shift from human in the loop to human on the loop. He also unpacks the guardrails and controls that determine whether agentic AI becomes a trusted operator or a liability.

MJ tackles agent sprawl, why context beats the model, and the “jagged edge of intelligence” where AI can do PhD level work one minute and fumble basic tasks the next. Plus why sitting out the experimentation phase is the most expensive thing you can do right now.

John Hines is the Senior Director of Enterprise Business for the Asia-Pacific and Japan region at Lumen Technologies.

With more than 25 years of leadership experience in IT solutions and cybersecurity, John has led and grown businesses across diverse global markets. His expertise spans cybersecurity, risk management, network and cloud solutions, consulting services, and new market acquisitions, serving industries such as manufacturing, government, healthcare, transportation, financial services, energy, and retail.

At Lumen, John is responsible for driving enterprise growth by delivering secure, agile, and innovative technology solutions that help customers connect people, data, and applications seamlessly. He is a proven leader in building high-performance teams, modernising operating models, and executing strategic programs that deliver measurable business outcomes.

His work has included partnering with global law enforcement on cyber threat takedowns through Lumen’s Black Lotus Labs, underscoring his commitment to safeguarding the digital ecosystem.

Davyn Baumann has been in the threat intelligence industry for over 10 years, and in that time has helped uplift cyber awareness by providing comprehensive strategic level intelligence for Australian government and critical industry organisations. Davyn currently is a member of the Custom Intelligence Team at Mandiant, part of Google Cloud.

Ashley Rose is the CEO and Co-Founder of Living Security, where she is building the future of workforce security through AI-native Human Risk Management (HRM). Her work sits at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and business transformation—helping enterprises turn human and workforce risk into a measurable, manageable business outcome.

Since founding Living Security in 2017, Ashley has led the company through rapid growth, raising more than $25M for product development and scale, and driving consecutive years of revenue acceleration. Today, her focus is on helping CISOs and security and risk leaders move beyond traditional awareness to a data-driven, predictive model that reduces real risk and supports organizational growth.

Ashley speaks regularly at industry forums including EWF, Security ISACs, and other security and leadership conferences, sharing practical insight on topics such as human risk, AI in the enterprise, and building security programs that executives and boards actually care about. She also contributes thought leadership to outlets such as Forbes and other publications.

At her core, Ashley is a builder—of companies, products, teams, and categories. She is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organization that reflects the communities Living Security serves, and to leading with transparency, curiosity, and accountability.

Ashley holds a BBA from the University of Michigan and is a serial entrepreneur with a background in tech and product management. She founded Living Security on a simple belief: when you empower people, they become your strongest security asset—not your weakest link.

In this episode, we sit down with Malcolm Turnbull, former Prime Minister of Australia, current Chairman of Fortescue Future Industries, Senior Advisor to KKR, and Strategic Advisor at Semperis. Malcolm reflects on his leadership in launching Australia’s first national cybersecurity strategy and examines the evolution of cyber as a vital component of national security and statecraft. He shares insights into the challenges faced by governments and businesses in raising digital awareness, the necessity of mandatory breach reporting, and the importance of sharing intelligence to combat cybercrime. The conversation covers Australia’s approach to critical infrastructure protection, foreign interference reforms, and the nuances of risk management in telecom and utility sectors. Malcolm also discusses the legal landscape around cybersecurity liabilities and the growing impact of class actions on corporate accountability, emphasizing adaptability, setting realistic expectations, and continual vigilance as key lessons for future leaders.

The Honourable Malcolm Turnbull AC

Australia’s 29th Prime Minister (2015-2018) had international careers in law, business and the media before entering politics at the age of 50.

As Prime Minister, he reformed Australia’s personal income tax, education and childcare systems, oversaw the legalisation of same sex marriage and announced the construction of Snowy Hydro 2.0 the biggest pumped hydro scheme in the southern hemisphere. Mr Turnbull embarked on the largest peacetime investment in Australian defence capabilities and set out Australia’s first national cybersecurity strategy.

Globally, Mr Turnbull played a leading role in reviving the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP-11 or CPTPP) after the United States withdrew. He also struck deals with US Presidents Obama and Trump to accept refugees who tried to arrive in Australia illegally by boat.

As a young lawyer, Mr Turnbull successfully defended former MI5 agent Peter Wright against the British Government in the 1986 “Spycatcher” trial before entering business where he ran his own investment banking firm for a decade before joining Goldman Sachs as a partner in 1997. Both before and after his political career, Mr Turnbull has been a successful venture capitalist. He co founded OzEmail Limited, the first Australian tech company to be listed on the NASDAQ.

Since leaving politics, Mr Turnbull has resumed his business career. He is a senior adviser to KKR and an investor in, and adviser to, many Australian technology businesses. He is a director of the International Hydropower Association and Chairman of Australian Fortescue Future Industries. Mr Turnbull speaks and writes on a range of issues including cyber security, geopolitics and renewable energy.