Future Secured - Shaping a Future-Proof Digital Society
Future Secured brings you in-depth conversations with Australian and global cyber security leaders, founders, CEOs, and co-founders.
Hosted by Jason Murell and Tom Finnigan, each episode delves into the personal journeys of these experts as they navigate the challenges of building and scaling successful cyber security businesses.
From critical industry issues to hard-learned lessons, the podcast explores the competitive global market and offers valuable insights on how to start, grow, and succeed in the cyber security space.
Join us as we uncover the stories behind the industry's brightest minds and build a knowledge base to help aspiring cyber security entrepreneurs thrive.
Future Secured - Shaping a Future-Proof Digital Society
🎙️ Future Secured Episode 32: Empowering the Next Gen with Cyber Skills
Guest: Ikram Akbar, Founder & CEO, Hackers Jack
Hosts: Tom Finnigan & Jason Murrell
In this episode of Future Secured, we sit down with Ikram Akbar, the visionary founder of Hackersjack, an edtech platform combining cyber security, psychology, and pedagogy to teach kids how to stay safe online. From rejecting a PhD to building a mission-driven startup, Ikram shares the human story behind his purpose: protecting children through proactive digital education.
🔐 He reveals why most cyber education efforts fail by working in silos and how his spiral curriculum, structured from kindergarten to Year 12, creates long-term resilience in kids.
🇺🇸🇦🇺 Ikram also unpacks the startup grind, why Australia needs cultural reform to support cyber innovation and why the US market became essential for traction.
From AI threats and deepfakes to the emotional toll of internet exposure, this episode is a powerful call to action for parents, educators, and cybersecurity founders alike.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Hackersjack was born from a personal parenting moment and scaled through deep research across tech, education, and psychology.
Cyber education must be age-specific, emotionally aware, and rooted in practical engagement.
The stigma around cyber security makes it unappealing to kids – Hackersjack flips that by making it fun and relatable.
Parents must become co-educators in digital safety – starting with open conversations, not control.
Australia’s startup ecosystem is risk-averse – US investors are more culturally aligned to back cyber education innovation.
Cultural awareness and mental health are deeply intertwined with digital safety.
The ultimate goal: build a cyber-resilient generation by embedding digital hygiene early in schools.
🗣️ Sound Bites
“Kids spend so much time online.”
“Cybersecurity suffers from a stigma.”
“Start talking to your kids.”
“You need to think about the USA from day one.”
“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”
🕰️ Chapters
00:00 — Introduction to Hackersjack
02:10 — The Genesis of Hackersjack
05:55 — Challenges in Cyber Education
09:35 — Parental Guidance in Cyber Safety
14:15 — The Role of Community in Cyber Education
17:13 — Navigating the US Market
22:16 — Lessons for Australian Entrepreneurs
24:35 — Navigating Cybersecurity Challenges in Australia
26:02 — Cultural Shifts and Mental Health Awareness
27:37 — Addressing Cyberbullying and Digital Safety in Schools
30:11 — Building Cybersecurity Awareness from a Young Age
33:34 — The Role of AI in Cybersecurity Education
36:29 — Fostering Open Communication Between Parents and Children
39:09 — Creating a Safe Digital Environment for Kids
42:07 — Bridging Generational Gaps in Digital Literacy
👤 About the Guest
Ikram Akbar is the founder and CEO of Hackersjack, a platform revolutionising child-focused cyber security education. With a background in mathematics, statistics, and computing, Ikram’s work spans startups, AI, and blockchain, but his mission remains rooted in one goal: equipping children to thrive safely in a digital world.