Industry

There are many excellent initiatives making a difference, in different ways, to different aspects of the cyber security industries of Australia and New Zealand. Ultimately, we're all trying to make a positive impact on the lives of people in both countries. 

Some of our favourites are:

Australia

• AWSN, the Australian Women in Security Network. The name says it all, but I believe that there is not another group/initiative in Australia doing as much to beneficially impact the culture in our security industry as AWSN. AWSN holds regular gatherings in all Australian capital cities. 

• The eSafety Commissioner. This government agency, unique in the world, is committed to helping all Australians have safe, positive experiences online. There are many resources for parents, security awareness specialists, teens, and women on this site. 

• IDcare,  From its website, "IDCARE is Australia and New Zealand’s national identity and cyber support service. We are a not-for-profit Australian charity that was formed to address a critical support gap for individuals confronting identity and cyber security concerns. This gap requires specialist Identity & Cyber Security Counsellors and Analysts that apply a human-centred approach to identity and cyber security. This means we place at the centre of everything we do the concerns and needs of the individual, not the technology or process."

New Zealand

• NZ Internet Task Force (NZITF). "The New Zealand Internet Task Force (NZITF) is a non-profit organisation with the mission of improving the cyber security posture of New Zealand. Our members work together to make the Internet safer for all New Zealanders." 

Grassroots Events

Below are some key events and gatherings that are of great value to security practitioners. 

• Kawaiicon is widely acknowledged as superb. 

• BSides gatherings are famous globally for excellent grassroots technical community gatherings. BSides Canberra, BSides Sydney, BSides Brisbane, & BSides Perth.

• CrikeyCon has built a phenomenal culture and the real strength of the conference sits in the willingness of the participants to share openly, to challenge ideas, and to support one another.