Career playbook Series: Cyber Security Entry Pathways - Advisory and Technical Careers
Join ACS Canberra EPC for a practical cyber security careers workshop focused on advisory and technical entry pathways. The session will include short pathway overviews, CV and mentorship tables, and networking with industry professionals from ACS, ISACA / She Leads Tech and Calleo.
ACS Canberra Hub, Suite 3 Level 5 64 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra, ACT, 2601
Tue 14 Jul 2026 05:30 PM AEST
Duration: 2.0 hours
Register by Mon 13 Jul 2026 03:00 PM AEST
Contact Event Organiser
In Person
CPD Hours: 2
Skills Level: Professional development (PDSV) -> Level 4
About this event
Join the ACS Canberra Emerging Professionals Committee for a practical workshop on entering the cyber security profession.
This event is suitable for university students, recent graduates and emerging ICT professionals interested in cyber security careers.
What you will gain
- This session will help students, graduates and emerging ICT professionals understand the difference between advisory and technical cyber security pathways.
- The event will focus on practical career guidance, including role types, transferable skills, CV positioning and how to take the next step into the field.
- Delivered in collaboration with ISACA / She Leads Tech and Calleo, the workshop will include short pathway overviews, CV and mentorship tables, and informal networking with industry professionals.
This event is suitable for university students, recent graduates and emerging ICT professionals interested in cyber security careers.
What you will gain
- a clearer understanding of advisory and technical cyber pathways
- practical guidance on CV and career positioning
- insight into entry-level cyber security opportunities
- the opportunity to connect with industry professionals
Speakers
Speaker
Eimear Leyne
Cybersecurity Public Sector, Google
Eimear Leyne is a cybersecurity professional on the Google Cloud team, responsible for system security, assessments, personnel security, and project security. She has background experience in Cyber Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) across both the public and private sectors. Eimear specialises in navigating and implementin government frameworks, including the Information Security Manual (ISM), the Defence Security Principles Framework (DSPF), and the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF).
Speaker
Annaliese Smith-Platts
Assistant Director and Cyber Security Advisor, ATO
As an Assistant Director and Cyber Security Advisor at the Australian Taxation Office, my role is to translate technical controls and policy into relevant and actionable advice to a diverse range of stakeholders. My experience includes Essential Eight auditing of major IT vendors, ensuring alignment with Protective Security Policy requirements. My current focus is risk assessment, evaluating both new and longstanding technologies across the ATO’s large and complex enterprise environment. I’m passionate about supporting my team and helping them to thrive through the challenges and complexity of their roles in Cyber Risk and Compliance.
Speaker
Tao Zou
Senior Consultant, KPMG
Tao specialises in supporting organisations with cybersecurity governance, risk management, and compliance initiatives. Tom began his career as a Professional Year (PY) student and successfully transitioned into consulting, gaining practical experience across advisory engagements.
He is passionate about helping students and early-career professionals understand pathways into cybersecurity, particularly within APS and advisory roles, and providing practical guidance on entering the industry.
He is passionate about helping students and early-career professionals understand pathways into cybersecurity, particularly within APS and advisory roles, and providing practical guidance on entering the industry.
Speaker
Mandy Ho
Senior Technical Consultant, Fujitsu
Mandy Ho is a cybersecurity consultant with experience delivering security and technology outcomes across government and critical infrastructure. She is passionate about helping organisations strengthen their cyber resilience while championing diversity, mentoring, and greater inclusion within the cybersecurity industry.
Speaker
Justin Gasparre
Manager, Australian Data Centres
With over two decades of experience navigating the intersection of IT governance, Defence ICT, and commercial business growth, Justin knows what it takes to scale tech operations and build resilient teams. From managing $20M+ budgets to implementing top-tier security standards like SOC2 and ISO27001, his career is built on delivering clarity in environments with high uncertainty. As an industry guest lecturer at UNSW ADFA, Justin is passionate about fostering talent, sharing strategic insights on leadership, and helping tech professionals bridge the gap between technical skill and executive influence.
Speaker
Shinta Benilda
ANZ Cybersecurity GRC & Advisory, DXC Technology
I worked at Services Australia's Cyber Division as Cyber Sytems Administrator for one year and then as the coordinator for the pentest team at the same organisation, then move to a senior consultant in Cyber Security for the KPMG consulting firm. Now I am working for DXC Technology as an Advisory for ANZ cybersecurity.
I love reading books, latin dance, learning languages, and traveling.
I love reading books, latin dance, learning languages, and traveling.
Speaker
Ebony Mackell
Cyber Security consultant, Fujitsu
Ebony Mackell is a Cyber Security consultant with a focus on M365 security and assessments. Ebony provides guidance to clients who need support in their journey in securing their Cloud environments. She is passionate about cyber awareness, particularly for people who may not have the resources to learn but are often targets of scams and cyber crime.
Speaker
Annie-Mei Forster
Board member, ISACA Canberra Chapter
Annie-Mei Forster is a cybersecurity professional and co-founder of The Cybersecurity Gals, a platform dedicated to human-centric security. Annie-Mei brings a unique perspective to the field by blending her expertise in risk management with a focus on tech policy and diplomacy. As the co-host of the Lost In Cyberia podcast, she works to demystify complex cyber topics for a broad audience. Recognised as the 2025 Women in Tech Cybersecurity Award winner, Annie-Mei is committed to mentoring the next generation of professionals.
Event Location
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Event Terms & Conditions
Registration
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- Online registration ends at the time stated on the event details page.
Cancellation and Refund
All cancellations must be processed through the website, a refund will only be considered if it is at least 3 working days prior to the event.
Disclaimer
- ACS reserves the right to change the program at any time. Every effort will be made to ensure a program of equivalent standard and members are updated with changes.
- All dietary requirements are considered, however we cannot guarantee a 100% allergen free environment.
- ACS reserves the right to prohibit entry or eject any person from an ACS event based on behaviour deemed inappropriate by ACS staff, its agents and/or others working under its authority.
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COVID-19 Event Attendance Compliance
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- If an attendee is displaying flu or cold like symptoms in the days leading up to the event and therefore is not able to attend, ACS will refund the registration fee.
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