The Human Side of Cybersecurity: Toby's Journey and Insight on Collaboration, Communication and Auditing

Secured by Galah Cyber

Toby Amodio is the Chief Information Security Officer at the Department of Parliamentary Services. As Toby puts it himself, he’s probably the only CISO with a “feminist degree”, having studied politics, history and gender studies. His career advancement has been unusually fast for the field of cybersecurity, progressing from a university graduate to his current role in just 15 years. In his conversation with Cole, Toby discusses some of the AppSec challenges unique to the government, when it’s important to say no to a client, why security auditors are your friend and more.

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Timestamps

4:00 - Two examples of exciting projects Toby has worked on.

5:30 - “Cybersecurity is built on the human”.

5:40 - How Toby’s work helped people during covid.

8:30 - Parliament house bells in the background.

9:00 - Important to communicate in ways businesses can understand.

14:20 - Begin discussing the Australian Cybersecurity Centre.

15:30 - Cole: “I better read the ISM again”

16:40 - Cole: wants the podcast to focus on personal journeys.

17:00 - Toby’s background is studying politics and arts.

20:00 - Toby: “The crux of my career…”.

21:00 - When you should say no to a client.

22:30 - Cole’s views on people skills & the right attitude are more important than qualifications.

23:40 - Toby recommends debating in high school as helpful for any career path.

24:15 - Toby recommends having cross-domain capabilities.

25:30 - Cole: communication skills are key.

26:50 - Toby: it’s easy to assume malintent.

26:50 - Toby: Half the job is calling CIO’s baby ugly.

28:35 - Cybersecurity experts have to tell people what’s wrong constantly.

30:00 - Cole: I see lots of people are afraid of auditors.

30:38 - Toby: Auditors are your friend.

30:50 - Toby: The only thing that grows in the dark is a fungus.

31:40 - Cole: Toby has progressed in his career very quickly.

32:00 - Cole: What are some challenges unique to gov?

33:50 - Toby: Higher levels of scrutiny.

35:20 - Collaboration between different gov orgs.

37:30 - Private sector keeps its cards close to its chest.

39:00 - Cole: cybersecurity in the rental sector.

39:50 - Quickfire questions.

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