Nine out of ten exhibitors at AdelaideSEC referenced artificial intelligence, but the primary concern voiced by attendees wasn’t whether to adopt AI, but how to protect the data it uses. Senetas was the only cybersecurity vendor at the conference addressing quantum readiness, repeatedly fielding questions about the Australian Signals Directorate’s 2030 advisory.
The urgency stems from a growing threat: threat actors are currently employing a “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” strategy, capturing encrypted traffic in anticipation of future quantum decryption capabilities. “Recovery” was a key theme, according to presenter John Karabin, Chief Cyber Security Strategist at McGrathNicol, emphasizing that the focus should be on the aftermath of a breach, not the incident itself.
Senetas Highlights Australia’s 2030 Quantum Readiness Target
Senetas distinguished itself as the sole cybersecurity vendor at AdelaideSEC addressing the impending shift to quantum computing, prompting repeated inquiries regarding the Australian Signals Directorate’s (ASD) 2030 quantum-readiness advisory. While artificial intelligence dominated discussions at the conference, with nine out of ten exhibitors referencing its applications, attendees increasingly focused on safeguarding the data fueling these new technologies, Senetas says. This emphasis on data governance underscored a growing awareness that robust security measures must accompany rapid AI adoption.
The company’s presence at the event centered on the practical implications of the ASD’s timeline; Australia has set a target for organizations to be quantum-ready by 2030, a goal Senetas argues requires immediate action. Senetas highlighted its current offering of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) encryptors, designed to resist these future attacks and enable organizations to begin migration now.
Beyond PQC, Senetas emphasized that comprehensive cyber readiness extends to crisis leadership and response. Karabin’s insights, informed by his volunteer work with Fire and Rescue NSW, underscored the importance of pre-planning, shared operating pictures, and structured leadership in navigating increasingly frequent and unpredictable cyberattacks.
OODA Loop & ITASC Frameworks Enhance Cyber Crisis Leadership
He highlighted the importance of establishing a clear approach rooted in the Observe, Orient, Decide, Act (OODA) loop, a concept originating in military strategy. A crucial element of preparedness, Karabin explained, lies in pre-planning and establishing a shared operating picture. Frameworks like ITASC, encompassing incident analysis, threat identification, coordinated actions, support structures, and command protocols, are vital for ensuring all teams operate from the same understanding of events.
This structured approach extends to leadership; in one instance, a government department leveraged a wedding event planner’s logistical expertise to manage crisis coordination, recognizing the value of disciplined project management. Karabin stressed that effective crisis response isn’t solely about technical expertise, but also about fostering a culture of shared responsibility through Crew Resource Management (CRM). He stated, “Everyone is responsible and everyone has a voice,” noting that effective handovers and crew rotation prevent crises from escalating.
Following an incident, a thorough Post Incident Review (PIR), assessing objectives, outcomes, causes, and future improvements, is essential. Karabin warned that the first hour of a cyber incident shapes the next six, twelve, or even thirty-six months of response, suggesting cyber teams have much to learn from the operational practices of military and first responder organizations in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
See today’s quantum computing news on Quantum Zeitgeist for the latest breakthroughs in qubits, hardware, algorithms, and industry deals.
