Reimagining your cyber workforce: The talent shift to alternative pathways

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Australia is facing an urgent cyber security skills shortage, with thousands of unfilled roles across the country. As threats continue to evolve, organisations are struggling to find the right talent to secure their networks, data, and critical systems. Traditional hiring methods aren’t delivering the workforce needed to meet these challenges, and competition for skilled professionals is fiercer than ever.

It’s no longer enough to rely solely on traditional graduate pipelines, which often lack the broader maturity, career experience, and cognitive diversity required in today’s cyber teams. Instead, cyber leaders are looking at how they can access cultivated pools of talent who bring a wealth of secondary career experience— including military veterans and career changers—to build teams of skilled cyber technologists who drive the innovation and diversity of thought that are critical to a well-rounded cyber function.

What to expect:

Meet pre-qualified candidates ready to take on cyber security challenges
Gain insight into their skills, experience, and how they can add value to your team
Hear from industry leaders about the success of hiring cyber talent from unconventional backgrounds
Learn about the training pathway that equips these professionals with sought-after cyber capabilities

This is your chance to connect with a pipeline of cyber-ready professionals who are eager to make an impact.

Panellists

Dan Maslin

Group Chief Information Security Officer (GCISO), Monash University

Dan Maslin is the Group Chief Information Security Officer (GCISO) at Monash University, where he leads the Global Cyber Risk & Resilience Teams.

With 25 years in Enterprise IT across Australia and the UK, he has held leadership roles at RACV, Superpartners, SABMiller, the London Stock Exchange, BHP Billiton, Telstra, Avanade, ASG Group, Betfair, Energy Australia, Mercy Health, Coles Group, Datacom and Medibank A GAICD graduate, he holds CISSP, CISM & CRISC certifications, he serves on AISA’s Advisory Board and is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Deakin. Recognised as a top cybersecurity leader, he has earned CSO30 awards (2022, 2024) and was named a Global 50 CISO to Watch (2024).

Nicki Doble

Principal Advisor, KPMG Singapore

With a solid foundation in industry and prior experience as a Chief Information Officer and Chief Transformation Officer at global companies, Nicki Doble currently leads KPMG's workforce transformation consulting practice in Singapore.

With over 25 years of global tech experience, Nicki's expertise and experience spans corporate technology turnarounds, cybersecurity incident recovery, and delivering innovative tech-driven transformation programs that integrate people, processes, and technology for full-scale workforce and enterprise change.

She was profiled as an “Industry Leader of Influence” by the CyberEdBoard Community for 2020 and 2021 and was placed in the Top 20 for CIO50 in 2021 and 2020. Prior to moving to Asia, Nicki was the Deputy Chair for the Australian Information Security Association (AISA).

Andrew Webster

Global Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), BlueScope Steel

Andrew is a strategic security leader and tech founder with over 25 years of experience in Security, Information Technology and Crisis and Incident management. Having worked across industries, such as finance with Westpac Banking Corporation, Technology with IBM, State Government and Law enforcement, NSW Police and Attorney Generals Department and also in energy and utilities at Transgrid.

Recently recognised as a CSO30 Winner for his security leadership and contributions to protecting critical infrastructure.

Andrew holds a Master of Cyber Security and various certifications, including CISSP, CISM, SABSA and CRISC. He is passionate about protecting people, building great and diverse teams and enabling business growth while mitigating potential threats.

Panel facilitator

Bridget Gray

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gray Talent Corporation

Bridget Gray is the CEO of Gray Talent Corporation, a leading advisory firm specialising in talent access and capability building for transformational delivery models. Under Bridget's leadership, Gray Talent Corporation offers a range of services including Board Services and expertise in Engineering, Transformation, Cyber, and ESG Board uplift assignments.

Bridget's approach is rooted in the art and science of talent, leveraging global networks, data and insight, to ensure comprehensive talent outcomes.

Panellist

Tainui Kingi

Cyber Risk & Compliance Analyst, Monash University and Squad Member, WithYouWithMe

Tainui Kingi brings a unique perspective to the world of cyber security, drawing on over a decade of leadership and operational experience gained during his 12 years of full-time service in the Australian Army as an Infantry soldier. Now serving in the Army Reserves at the rank of Sergeant, Tainui has successfully transitioned into a cyber security career with Monash, combining hands-on experience with a passion for self-directed learning.

He upskilled through a combination of online study, industry-recognised certifications, and completion of both the Cyber and Business Analyst pathways through WithYouWithMe. Tainui’s journey from the frontline to cyber security is a testament to the value of transferable skills and the power of resilience, adaptability, and lifelong learning in building a future-focused workforce.

Host

Cia Kouparitsas

Chief Customer Officer (CCO), WithYouWithMe

Alicia ‘Cia’ Kouparitsas is an award-winning executive manager who has spent 15+ years leading teams in the IT sector across the Asia Pacific, UK, USA and Canada. Now, as Chief Customer Officer at WithYouWithMe, Cia dedicates her efforts to building highly skilled, innovative and thriving workforces while also creating opportunities for people from underserved communities.

Across global markets, Cia is a passionate advocate for building skills-based workforces that allow all individuals to realise their full potential, regardless of their cultural, social or employment backgrounds. She also works alongside leading organisations to support the strategic upskilling of diverse individuals.

About WithYouWithMe

WithYouWithMe is a talent and workforce solutions company that helps organisations address digital capability gaps through a skills-based train, hire and deploy model. We identify high-potential individuals from underrepresented communities, deliver targeted training aligned to real roles, and deploy job-ready talent into technology teams.

Find out how you can access the next generation of cyber talent

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