The Cyber Agony Aunt Podcast

Cybercrime is often seen as a world of sophisticated hackers and complex technology, but behind every attack is a person, a motivation and a story. In this episode, we’re joined by Richard Jones, a cyber behavioural specialist whose fascinating career has taken him from the Serious Organised Crime Agency and the National Crime Agency to PwC and working alongside international law enforcement. Drawing on his experiences investigating cybercrime, including romance fraud in Ghana, Richard takes us behind the curtain to explore how cybercriminality has evolved and what drives people to get involved. We discuss the growing involvement of young people in cybercrime, the influence of online gaming communities and digital spaces, and why some individuals are drawn towards cybercriminal activity. We also explore who should be responsible for recognising the warning signs and preventing young people from heading down this path, alongside the challenges faced by parents, educators and law enforcement. Richard shares insights into his work in cyber behavioural analysis, the importance of understanding criminal motivations and how we can better support those at risk of online exploitation and criminal involvement.    Buy our latest book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Resilient-You-Agony-Keeping-Together/dp/1068445416/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 Connect with Richard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-jones-cyber/ Connect with Amelia: www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-hewitt-44b510182  Connect with Rebecca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-taylor-cyber/ 

Cybersecurity is often seen as a technical challenge, but at its heart, it’s really about people. In this episode, we’re joined by Jen Hill to explore the connection between mental health, human behaviour and modern cyber threats. Drawing on her seven years as a mental health nurse before transitioning into cybersecurity, Jen shares how her experiences supporting young people and their families have shaped the way she understands trust, vulnerability and online safety. We discuss the impact of social media and digital communities on young people’s wellbeing, the challenges of protecting vulnerable individuals online, and how technology can enable exploitation and modern slavery. We also explore the surprising similarities between healthcare and cybersecurity, and why understanding the psychology and motivations of threat actors is just as important as understanding the technology they use. Tune in for a discussion about human behaviour, digital vulnerability and the changing nature of modern threats.   Buy our latest book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Resilient-You-Agony-Keeping-Together/dp/1068445416/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 Connect with Jen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-h-632297276/  Connect with Amelia: www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-hewitt-44b510182  Connect with Rebecca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-taylor-cyber/ 

In this special episode of the podcast, we sat down with Rob Black, Cyber Citizen of the Year 2024, international keynote speaker, community builder, and one of the driving forces behind the Cyber Leaders Challenge. Throughout his career, Rob has worked at the intersection of cybersecurity, leadership, policy, and community building, helping bring together experts, organisations, and future talent to tackle some of the sector's biggest challenges. Together, we explore what happens when diversity moves beyond good intentions and into real-world decision-making. From diversity beyond what we can immediately see, including lived experience, neurodiversity, career pathways, and socioeconomic background, to the fear many people have of getting diversity conversations wrong, this episode tackles some of the more nuanced and challenging aspects of inclusion. We also discuss the perceived tension between representation and expertise, the role of belonging and allyship in tackling imposter syndrome, and how diverse teams can drive innovation, improve decision-making, and create better outcomes for everyone. A thoughtful, honest, and at times challenging conversation that left us with plenty to reflect on.  A big thank you always to the Cyber Leaders Summit for their support in bringing this episode to life.   Join the Cyber Leaders Summit: https://www.cyber-leaderssummit.com/  Buy our latest book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Resilient-You-Agony-Keeping-Together/dp/1068445416/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 Connect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-black-30440819/  Connect with Amelia: www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-hewitt-44b510182  Connect with Rebecca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-taylor-cyber/ 

Risk is everywhere in business-but how well do we really understand it? In this episode, we’re joined by Ivan to explore what effective risk management actually looks like in practice, and why it needs to be about far more than dashboards, metrics and ticking boxes. We discuss how to make risk management accessible and meaningful across an organisation, rather than something that sits within a specialist team. We also explore the dangers of cyber teams becoming too insulated from the wider business, why having a “big picture” view of risk matters, and how personal attitudes and unconscious bias can influence the way we assess and respond to risk. Whether you work in cyber, risk, leadership (or have nothing to do with either) we challenge some common assumptions and ask how we can all start thinking about risk differently. Tune in for a conversation about making risk practical, accessible and relevant to everyone.   Buy our latest book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Resilient-You-Agony-Keeping-Together/dp/1068445416/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 Connect with Ivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanmilenkovic/  Connect with Amelia: www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-hewitt-44b510182  Connect with Rebecca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-taylor-cyber/ 

In this special episode of the podcast, we’re joined by Glenn, whose remarkable journey has taken him from a curious young technologist to studying AI, becoming one of the industry’s most recognised ethical hackers, and ultimately founding his own cybersecurity organisation, Agger Labs. Glenn shares the experiences and lessons that have shaped his career, from discovering the world of ethical hacking to building the skills and mindset needed to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals. We explore how cybersecurity has evolved throughout his career, what separates a good hacker from a great one, and how the rapid rise of AI is changing both cybercrime and cyber defence. We also dive into Glenn’s journey from ethical hacker to founder, the challenges of leadership and building an organisation, and the mission behind Agger Labs. At the heart of the conversation is a cause Glenn is particularly passionate about: taking the fight directly to ransomware groups and, quite literally, sticking two fingers up to ransomware. A big thank you to the Cyber Leaders Summit for their support in bringing this episode to life.   Join the Cyber Leaders Summit: https://www.cyber-leaderssummit.com/  Buy our latest book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Resilient-You-Agony-Keeping-Together/dp/1068445416/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 Connect with Glenn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-wilkinson-uk/  Connect with Amelia: www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-hewitt-44b510182  Connect with Rebecca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-taylor-cyber/ 

What happens when geopolitics moves from the battlefield into our news feeds, social media and everyday lives? In this episode, we’re joined by Stuart Jubb to explore the increasingly blurred lines between technology, influence and global power. We discuss who is really driving online conversations, how algorithms, bots and state-backed influence campaigns can shape public debate, and whether misinformation and disinformation have become powerful tools of modern conflict. We also unpack the growing role of cyber in geopolitical competition, and ask how AI-generated content and deepfakes could make influence operations even harder to detect. Most importantly, we explore what governments, organisations and individuals can do to build resilience, protect trust and navigate an increasingly complex information environment. Buy our latest book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Resilient-You-Agony-Keeping-Together/dp/1068445416/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 Connect with Stuart: http://linkedin.com/in/stuart-jubb-33a26232/  Connect with Amelia: www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-hewitt-44b510182  Connect with Rebecca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-taylor-cyber/ 

In this special episode of the podcast, we’re joined by Adam Pilton, whose extraordinary journey has taken him from surviving one of the world’s most devastating natural disasters to a career in law enforcement, cybercrime, covert operations, and investigations. Adam shares the experiences and lessons that have shaped his approach to resilience, leadership, risk, and decision-making when the stakes are high. We explore what it means to make critical decisions with incomplete information, tight deadlines, and significant consequences-and how challenging experiences can create opportunities for growth. We also dive into Adam’s work on the Six Pillars of Incident Response, his approach to positive leadership in high-pressure environments, and the personal values and mindset that have helped him stay grounded throughout his career. A big thank you to the Cyber Leaders Summit for their support in bringing this episode to life.   Join the Cyber Leaders Summit: https://www.cyber-leaderssummit.com/  Buy our latest book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Resilient-You-Agony-Keeping-Together/dp/1068445416/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 Connect with Adam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adampilton/  Connect with Amelia: www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-hewitt-44b510182  Connect with Rebecca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-taylor-cyber/ 

In the first episode of Season 4, Amelia and Rebecca sit down with Rebecca Reynolds-Jones of the Institute of Directors, to explore what cybersecurity really looks like for small and medium-sized businesses. We discuss how SMEs can make meaningful improvements to their cyber resilience without unlimited budgets or resources, from setting practical priorities and measuring resilience to building a security culture that genuinely changes behaviour. We also explore why people should be seen as part of the cybersecurity solution rather than the problem, and look at the positive changes giving us reasons to be optimistic about the future of cyber risk. Finally, we look ahead to what we hope will change in the way SMEs understand and manage cybersecurity over the next five years. Buy our latest book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Resilient-You-Agony-Keeping-Together/dp/1068445416/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 Connect with Rebecca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-reynolds-jones/  Connect with Amelia: www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-hewitt-44b510182  Connect with Rebecca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-taylor-cyber/ 

In the last episode of this season, Amelia and Rebecca sit down with Ciaran Martin, a leading figure in UK Cyber Security. We explore what it takes to keep a level head when the pressure is at its highest. Drawing on experience from the front lines of some of the UK's most significant cyber incidents, Ciaran shares lessons in crisis leadership, building resilient teams, and maintaining public trust in high-stakes environments. We also discuss balancing long-term cybersecurity challenges with fast-moving threats such as AI, misinformation, and disinformation, creating cultures that encourage honest conversations about risk, and navigating the evolving landscape of cyber regulation.  Buy our latest book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Resilient-You-Agony-Keeping-Together/dp/1068445416/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 Connect with Ciaran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyberciaran/  Connect with Amelia: www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-hewitt-44b510182  Connect with Rebecca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-taylor-cyber/ 

In this episode, Amelia and Rebecca sit down with Linda, a near and dear friend of the podcast, whose career has spanned 25 years in financial crime before launching her own freelance personal assistant business. We explore career change, overcoming overwhelm, the value of asking for support, staying organised without burning out, and building resilience through trusted networks and personal wellbeing. Linda shares practical advice for anyone feeling stuck, considering a new direction, or looking for ways to work smarter-not harder.   Buy our latest book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Resilient-You-Agony-Keeping-Together/dp/1068445416/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 Connect with Linda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-baskett/  Connect with Amelia: www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-hewitt-44b510182  Connect with Rebecca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-taylor-cyber/