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
Inside Australia’s Cyber Crisis: The Data, The Gaps, The Wake-Up Call - Future Secured EP 33
In this special episode of Future Secured, Tom Finnigan and Jason Murrell unpack the newly released Australian Cyber Network State of the Industry 2024 report, a landmark deep dive into the shape, size and urgency of Australia’s cyber security sector.
📥 Download the full ACN report:
https://stateoftheindustry.auscybernetwork.au
Jason, who also chairs the Australian Cyber Network, walks through the key insights: the eye-watering rise in ransomware, the growing, but still under-resourced, cyber workforce, gender diversity gaps, sovereign capability challenges, and the widening disconnect between government strategy and ground truth.
More than just numbers, this conversation is a candid, behind-the-scenes look at what’s working, what’s broken, and where Australia must act now to avoid being left behind.
🧠 Key Takeaways
🛑 69% of Australian businesses were hit by ransomware in 2024, and 84% paid
💰 The average ransom paid was $1.35 million
👥 The cyber workforce hit 137,000 people, but demand still far outpaces supply
👩💻 Female participation jumped from 17% to 25%—a promising trend
🎓 Security science enrolments surged 186%, but readiness remains unclear
🇦🇺 97% of Australian cyber companies are locally owned, yet most startup funding comes from overseas
📉 Regional gaps remain: WA generated $500M in cyber GVA but has only 17 local firms
📢 Cyber security strategy lacks transparency, inclusion, and public engagement
🧯 Cyber readiness must become as normalised as OH&S or fire safety in every workplace
🗣️ Sound Bites
"Cybersecurity isn’t just a tech issue. It’s a kitchen table issue."
"You wouldn’t trust a pilot who’s never flown a sim. But we do in cyber."
"Culture eats strategy for breakfast—especially when it’s hidden behind closed doors."
"The ecosystem is fragile. Founders don’t want handouts—they want a fair shot."
"We can’t secure the nation in secret. We need public benchmarks and open engagement."
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 — Welcome & Intro
01:37 — What the 2024 ACN Report Reveals
03:00 — Ransomware Stats & SME Underreporting
07:35 — Cyber Workforce Growth & Diversity Breakdown
11:57 — Education, Enrolment & Skills Readiness
13:22 — Startups, Funding & Sovereign Capability
15:49 — State-by-State Capacity & WA's Undersupply
17:57 — Policy, Strategy & Transparency Gaps
22:29 — The Path Forward: Culture, Urgency, and Basic Hygiene
27:00 — Download the Full Report + Call to Action
🔗 Resources
📥 Download the full ACN report:
https://stateoftheindustry.auscybernetwork.au