Episode 310 Deep Dive: Sam Mackenzie | Securing Society and the Future

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Mackenzie, cybersecurity committee member from the Australian Computer Society (ACS), as he explores the converging worlds of cyber and physical security and what it means for securing society into the future. Sam highlights the growing risks faced by critical infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of cross-functional collaboration between IT, operational technology, and engineering teams. We dig into why many organizations still fail to capture cyber-physical risks in their enterprise risk registers, how leadership and purposeful collaboration can bridge longstanding disciplinary gaps, and why regular practice, scenario exercises, and embedded cyber champions are essential to build resilience. Sam also discusses his work with the Australian Control Rooms Network Association (ACRNA), the increasing pressures faced by control rooms due to more frequent severe weather events, and the impact of regulations and “secure by design” principles on product development and security investment.

Sam Mackenzie is a driven technology and cybersecurity leader with 25 years of experience dedicated to protecting and advancing critical infrastructure. As a valued committee member of both the Australian Control Rooms Network Association and the Australian Computer Society, Sam is known for his structured thinking, his talent for simplifying complex challenges, and his ability to harness culture as a catalyst for meaningful change. Sam’s career spans leadership roles with global brands and household names in Australia, where he has built high-performance teams across sectors including health, telecoms, energy, and local government. With hands-on expertise in seven of the eleven Security of Critical Infrastructure (SOCI) Act sectors, Sam’s straightforward approach and thought leadership—evident through his frequent speaking engagements, panel hosting, and published works—continue to drive high-quality technology and security outcomes.