Cyber Affairs and Policy Webinar Series

Cyber Affairs and Foreign Policy Webinar Series

A series of four webinars focusing on Cyber Affairs and Foreign Policy (brought to you by DFAT’s Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology Branch and the Diplomatic Academy). The sessions are hosted by Dr. Tobias Feakin, Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology and feature four respected experts in the Cyber Industry.

Part 1: Attribution, cybercrime and a new world order: The long arm of the Internet

In the first Webinar on Tuesday, 18 August 2020, one of Australia’s leading cyber security experts Rachael Falk, CEO of the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre (Cyber Security CRC), discussed her insights on the impact of Australia’s international cyber engagement and how it shapes our foreign policy.

Cyber Affairs and Foreign Policy Series Part 1 - Rachel Falk

Rachael Falk, CEO of the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre (Cyber Security CRC), is one of Australia’s leading cyber security experts. As Chief Executive Officer of the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre, Rachael heads an innovative and dynamic program of collaboration between government, industry and universities.

The Centre delivers world-leading cyber security research, creating commercial solutions to the ever-evolving problems of our interconnected world. And, led by Rachael, the Centre is helping ensure Australia’s cyber security expertise, capability and resilience into the future.

Rachael was Telstra’s first General Manager of Cyber Influence and has a strong background in commercial law and cyber security, practicing as a lawyer at top-tier firms and in-house for Telstra.

She has also worked as a cyber security consultant and is co-author of the Five Knows of Cyber Security, setting an industry standard for organisational cyber security best-practice. Rachael holds an Advanced Masters in National Security Policy (Hons) from the National Security College (ANU), Bachelor of Laws (Hons) (UTS) and Bachelor of Arts (ANU).

Rachael Falk
CSCRC logo

Part 2: Can Australia survive in a world of technological competition?

Our second Webinar in the series was held on Tuesday, 22 September 2020. One of Australia’s leading cyber security experts, Prof. Lesley Seebeck PhD, CEO, ANU Cyber Institute, discussed her insights on how Australia can survive in a world of technological competition.

Cyber Affairs and Foreign Policy Series Part 2 - Dr Lesley Seebeck

Prof. Lesley Seebeck started as the CEO of the Cyber Institute, Australian National University, on 30 July 2018. Most recently, she was Chief Investment and Advisory Officer at the Digital Transformation Agency, arriving there from the Bureau of Meteorology where she served as Chief Information Officer from mid-2014 to late 2017. She was recognised as Federal Government CIO of the Year in 2017 and in February 2019 she was appointed to the Naval Shipbuilding Advisory Board.

Prof. Seebeck has extensive experience in strategy, policy, management, budget, information technology and research roles in the Australian Public Service, industry and academia. She has worked in the Departments of Finance, Defence, and the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Office of National Assessments, and as an IT and management consultant in private industry, and at two universities.

Prof. Seebeck has a PhD in information technology, an MBA, a Masters in Defence Studies and a Bachelor's degree in Applied Science (Physics).

Prof. Lesley Seebeck PhD
Cyber Institute Logo

Part 3: Cyber Step Change

The third Webinar, held on Monday, 9 November 2020 welcomed Head of the Australian Government’s Australian Cyber Security Centre, Abigail Bradshaw CSC. Who discussed how the work of the Australian Cyber Security Centre, the recently released 2020 Cyber Security Strategy and the $1.35 billion Cyber Enhanced Situational Awareness and Response (CESAR) investment influence our international relationships, and how international engagement benefits us all.

Cyber Affairs and Foreign Policy Series Part 3 - Abigail Bradshaw

Ms Abigail Bradshaw is the Head of the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and is responsible for leading the Australian Government’s efforts to improve cyber security.

Throughout her career, Ms Bradshaw has held key National Security Operations roles where she has lead whole of government operations, as well as policy and international roles, focussing on advancing Australia’s national security agenda.

Ms Bradshaw has previously worked within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C), most recently as the Deputy Coordinator of the National Bushfire Recovery Agency. Prior to that, Ms Bradshaw was the head of the National Security Division, providing advice and coordinating proposals to the Prime Minister, his office and the National Security Committee (NSC) on key national security issues.  

Ms Bradshaw has also held senior roles in the Department of Home Affairs, leading offshore resources covering Europe and Sub Saharan Africa, and as the Department’s inaugural Chief Risk Officer. Prior to this, she was the Deputy Commander of Maritime Border Command during the height of the people smuggling trade.

Ms Bradshaw began her career in the Royal Australian Navy and was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in 2005. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Asian Studies.  

Abigail Bradshaw