Ep 129 Women in Security – Opportunities & Challenges

In this episode of the ASIAL Security Insider podcast, we are discussing Converged security, specifically how to successfully develop, deliver, and manage an organisation-wide model for converged security. To help us with our discussion, we are joined by Penny Clarke. Penny is the Managing Director of Convergence Security Consulting and has 34 years of industry experience across a range of sectors, including the Defence Industry, Government, and the Private sector. Penny’s roles have included a wide variety of positions, including Chief Security Officer, Chief Information Security Officer, Protective Security Manager, Cyber Security Manager, Business Continuity Manager, Emergency Management, and more.  Penny’s experience, training, and qualifications encompass a broad spectrum of skills, including Governance, Risk, and Assurance, Training, Security Incidents and Investigations, Information Security, Cyber Security, Physical Security, Personnel Security, and investigations, to name but a few. In our discussion, we cover:·     Cultural and Operational Differences?·     Lack of Unified Strategy and Leadership·     Technology Integration Challenges·     Regulatory and Compliance Complexities·     Evolving Threat Landscape and Risk ManagementFor more podcasts like this one, visit www.asial.com.au.

In this episode of the ASIAL Security Insider podcast, we speak with Oleg Vornik, CEO of Droneshield about some of the specific threats that drones pose to a company's facilities and how drones are being used to enact those threats.We cover issues such as:·      What critical assets or areas are most vulnerable to drone threats?·      The likelihood of a drone-related threat occurring at a site in Australia.·      The sort of adversaries or groups likely to use drones against an organisation.·      Technologies are available to detect and track unauthorized drones.·      The range and accuracy we need for drone detection to be effective.·      How we differentiate between legitimate and unauthorized drones. ·      The need for an organisation to have a continuous monitoring system.·      The difference between non-kinetic and kinetic counter-drone measures.·      The legal counter-drone measures available in Australia.·      The relevant laws and regulations governing drone defence in Australia.·      How we ensure compliance while implementing counter-drone measures.And much, much more.For more podcasts like this one, visit www.asial.com.au.

In this episode of the ASIAL Security Insider podcast, we speak with Ryan Williams about building a roadmap for the successful future of your security business. Ryan is the Director of the Australian Centre for Business Growth at the University of South Australia. An experienced business leader with a strong track record in creating sustainable business growth, managing turnaround programmes and helping organizations to navigate change, Ryan has substantial experience in the deployment of agile methods in general management as well as business strategy development, sales strategy and marketing management, and has worked with a wide range of organisations ranging from small startups through to large and complex corporate businesses. In this episode, we will discuss the five most common mistakes businesses make in their growth journey and how to overcome them. For more podcasts like this one, visit www.asial.com.au.

In this episode of the ASIAL Security Insider podcast, we dive into the newly released ASIAL Security Industry Licensing Report 2025—a data-packed snapshot of where Australia’s private security sector stands today. The numbers are up, the stakes are high, and one thing’s clear: the role of private security in national safety is bigger than ever. But is the industry ready for what’s next? To help us with our discussion, we are joined by Bryan de Caires, Chief Executive Officer of ASIAL (The Australian Security Industry Association Limited) and Tony Keane, Head of Integrity and Security at the Australian Football League.

In this episode of the ASIAL Security Insider podcast, we look at the future of aviation security.To help us with our discussion, we speak with Steve Lawson of Paradigm, an aviation security and safety consultancy. We look at the recent alleged security breach at Avalon Airport in Melbourne, the role AI is set to play in baggage screening, and ways in which technology is changing the way organisations will manage screening personnel.For more podcasts and industry news, visit www.asial.com.au

In this episode of the ASIAL Security Insider podcast, we explore the evolving landscape for women in the security industry. To help us discuss important issues like career opportunities, challenges, and the pathways to success, we are joined by Hayley Van Loon, Deputy CEO of Crime Stoppers International and Managing Partner, Asia Pacific at Harod, and Claudia Nave, an analyst within the Digital Forensics and Threat Intelligence team from NBN Co.#IWD2025 #MarchForward#UNWomenAustralia#WomenInSecurity#ASIAL#security #securityAustralia

In this episode of the ASIAL Security Insider podcast, we look at the realities of preparing for and dealing with Blast Incidents. Our guest is Don Williams, a recognised leader in the field of bomb safety and security. In addition to being the author of Bomb Safety and Security, the Manager's Guide, available through Amazon, and the current Managing Director of Layer 3 Services, Don has over 45 years of experience in dealing with explosives, beginning with 20 years as an army bomb technician, and then another 25 years working for a wide range of roles including corporate and government clients as well as events.We discuss the history of bomb attacks in Australia, the types of businesses that should be most concerned about bomb attacks, the long-term impacts that need to be considered and planned for when dealing with blast events and the role security staff play in the management of a bomb incident.

In August 2020, the Queensland Security Industry Workforce Development Plan was released, which identified significant challenges and opportunities from emerging technologies, evolving licensing requirements, changing workforce demographics and adjustments to training packages.Coupled with the increasing complexity of the profession and the significant role that the industry plays in keeping Queenslanders safe, the security industry faces the momentous task of maintaining day-to-day operations while scaling up in preparation for the 2032 Olympic Games.In this episode of the ASIAL Security Insider podcast, we speak with Bernie Hogan and Bryan de Caires about how the security industry can plan for what we know is coming, be ready to adapt along the way, and how can you get involved?” Mr Bernie Hogan, Jobs Queensland Board Member and Chief executive of the Queensland Hotels Association, the peak industry body representing the hotels, hospitality and tourism accommodation sector in Queensland.Bernie has enjoyed a career in advocacy, media and government, working his way up from his start behind the bar. He is passionate about his industry, the people within it, and associated industries like the security industry. Bryan de Caires is the Chief Executive Office of ASIAL (Australian Security Industry Limited), the peak body for security professionals.People interested in registering their interest in the free Grow Your Own program can visit: usc.edu.au/sesp For more information, visit www.asial.com.au

In this episode of the ASIAL Security Insider podcast, we speak with Professor Jon Whittle about the potential impact of AI on the future of security.Jon is the Director at CSIRO's Data61, Australia's national centre for R&D in data science and digital technologies. With over 800 staff and affiliates, partnerships with industries across almost every sector, and collaborations with over 30 Universities, Data61 acts both as a centre for expertise and an enabler for national initiatives.Data61's strengths are in #artificialintelligence and #machinelearning, #cybersecurity and #privacy preserving technologies, #robotics and #autonomous systems, and #computationalscience. Data61 works across the entirety of CSIRO, collaborating with scientists and engineers in manufacturing, health and biosecurity, agriculture and food, minerals, land and water, oceans and atmosphere, and energy.Data61 offers computer scientists, data scientists, engineers and designers a unique opportunity to work on cutting edge research that will translate into real-world positive impacts on society.Jon covers a range of topics including:The key security threats that AI and ML might help mitigate or prevent? How AI and ML are currently being used in both the physical and cybersecurity space, and what results have they achieved so far? The main challenges or limitations of using AI and ML for security purposes. How AI can help with threat detection, especially against sophisticated or zero-day attacks? How adversaries are using AI for malicious purposes. What can be done to counteract such threats? The role human experts play in an AI-driven security framework, and how that might change in the future? How organizations can ensure the AI systems they adopt for security are unbiased and reliable? What ethical considerations should be kept in mind when deploying AI and ML for security purposes? How AI might impact data privacy and regulatory compliance in the realm of physical and cybersecurity?For more information visit www.asial.com.au

In this episode of the Security Insider Podcast, we speak with Australian Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind. In addition to her current role as the Australian Privacy Commissioner, Carly has a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, A Masters in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science and is the former Legal Director for Privacy International and most recently, the former Director of the Ada Lovelace Institute – an independent research institute with a mission to ensure data and AI work for people and society. In her current role as the Australian Privacy Commissioner, Carly is responsible for shaping Australia’s information handling landscape across the economy – from government, digital platforms and the online environment, to health, finance and telecommunications. In this episode, we discuss the recent findings arising from the OAIC's Investigations into Bunning's use of Facial Recognition, what the OAIC believes should have been done differently, how they reached their findings and what needs to be done in future to ensure other businesses can avoid breaches of the Australian Privacy Principles when deploying facial recognition systems.