Episode 14: Bridging the Gap: How to Make Cybersecurity Relevant to Business Leaders with Simona Dimovski

Did you know that Australian businesses are facing a rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape? In this episode of the Cyber Consulting Room podcast, host Gordon Draper interviews cybersecurity expert Simona Dimovski. Simona shares her journey into the field, emphasizing the importance of understanding business strategy and the human element in technology. She offers advice for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, stressing continuous learning and networking. The discussion covers current trends and challenges in Australian cybersecurity, including regulatory compliance and ransomware. Simona also discusses her roles in the Australian Information Security Association and as a New South Wales Cyber Ambassador, focusing on raising cybersecurity awareness and promoting best practices.

In This Episode:

• (00:02) Introduction of Simona Dimovski
• (01:08) Simona's journey into cybersecurity
• (02:39) Advice for aspiring cybersecurity professionals
• (03:35) Networking opportunities at conferences
• (04:22) Redefining networking
• (06:15) Mentorship and community support
• (08:25) Current trends in cybersecurity
• (17:36) Cyber awareness initiatives
• (23:10) Secure by design
• (24:52) Cultural shift in security practices
• (34:34) Ongoing security awareness initiatives
• (53:59) Challenges of transitioning to local government
• (57:52) Impact of COVID-19 on digital transformation
• (59:02) Closing remarks and contact information

Notable Quotes

• [01:21] "My journey into cybersecurity was a natural progression from technology and risk management, and as I took on more leadership roles, I saw how integral cybersecurity was to business continuity and success." — Simona Dimovski
• [34:34] "Security is actually everyone's responsibility. It's not something you can just assign to one person to take care of the whole organization." — Simona Dimovski

Our Guests
Simona Dimovski is a visionary executive with over 20 years of experience in digital and data strategy development. She excels in optimizing business strategies, driving innovation, and transforming business models. Simona creates high-performing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, trust, and continuous development. As a humanistic designer of solutions, she sets a futurist strategy for customer experience through digital enablement, leveraging her passion for technology to drive business value and growth.

Resources and Links

Cyber Consulting Room

• Cyber Consulting Room

Gordon Draper

• https://cybermarket.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordondraper/

Simona Dimovski

• https://au.linkedin.com/in/simona-dimovski-100
• For more episodes like this visit https://cyberconsultingroom.com
• You can find more information about Cyber Consulting Room Podcast Host at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordondraper/