The Theory of Saving the World: Intervention Requests and Critical Infrastructure | An Australian Cyber Conference 2024 in Melbourne Conversation with Ravi Nayyar | On Location Coverage with Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli

Guest: Ravi Nayyar, PhD Scholar, The University Of Sydney

On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/stillromancingwithlife/

At AISA AU Cyber Con | https://melbourne2024.cyberconference.com.au/speakers/ravi-nayyar-uyhe3

Hosts: 

Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast [@RedefiningCyber]

On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/sean-martin

Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society Podcast & Audio Signals Podcast

On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli

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Episode Notes

The discussion begins with a unique and lighthearted analogy: comparing cybersecurity professionals to superheroes. Marco draws parallels to characters like “The Avengers” and “Deadpool,” describing them as defenders of our digital world. Ravi builds on this playful yet thought-provoking metaphor, likening the fight against cybercriminals to epic battles against villains, highlighting the high stakes of cybersecurity in critical systems.

The Cyber Zoo: Ravi Nayyar’s Research Focus

Ravi introduces his research, focusing on the regulation of cyber resilience within critical infrastructure, particularly the software supply chain. Using the metaphor of a “zoo,” he paints a vivid picture of the cybersecurity ecosystem, where diverse stakeholders—government bodies, infrastructure operators, and software vendors—must coexist and collaborate. His work delves into how companies can be held accountable for their cyber practices, aiming to secure national and global systems.

The Role of Humans in Cybersecurity

At the heart of cybersecurity, Ravi emphasizes, is the human element. His research highlights the need for incentivizing all players—critical infrastructure operators, software developers, and even end users—to embed secure practices into their operations. It's not just about rules and frameworks but about fostering a culture of responsibility and collaboration in an interconnected world.

The Case for Stronger Cyber Laws

Ravi critiques the historically relaxed approach to regulating software security, particularly for critical systems, and advocates for stronger, standardized laws. He compares cybersecurity frameworks to those used for medical devices, which are rigorously regulated for public safety. By adopting similar models, critical software could be held to higher standards, reducing risks to national security.

Global Cooperation and the Fight Against Regulatory Arbitrage

The discussion shifts to the need for international collaboration in cybersecurity. Ravi underscores the risk of regulatory arbitrage, where companies exploit weaker laws in certain regions to save costs. He proposes global coalitions and standardization bodies as potential solutions to ensure consistent and robust security practices worldwide.

Incentivizing Secure Practices

Delving into the practical side of regulation, Ravi discusses ways to incentivize companies to adopt secure practices. From procurement policies favoring vendors with strong cybersecurity commitments to the potential for class action lawsuits, the conversation explores the multifaceted strategies needed to hold organizations accountable and foster a safer digital ecosystem.

Closing Thoughts: Collaboration for a Safer Digital World

Sean, Marco, and Ravi wrap up the episode by emphasizing the critical need for cross-sector collaboration—between academia, industry, media, and government—to tackle the evolving challenges of cybersecurity. By raising public awareness and encouraging proactive measures, they highlight the importance of a unified effort to secure our digital infrastructure.

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This Episode’s Sponsors

Threatlocker: https://itspm.ag/threatlocker-r974

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Resources

The theory of saving the world: Intervention requests and critical infrastructure: https://melbourne2024.cyberconference.com.au/sessions/session-eI6eYNrifl

Learn more and catch more stories from Australian Cyber Conference 2024 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/australian-cyber-conference-melbourne-2024-cybersecurity-event-coverage-in-australia

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