Episode 131: Kylie Watson

Kylie is the Lead Client Partner for Defence and National Security in Australia and New Zealand at IBM with the remit to helping solve some of the nation’s more complex national security problems with consulting specialities in data, AI, automation, cyber security, hybrid cloud, openshift, innovative technologies and agile processes. Kylie previously ran Cybersecurity for IBM Consulting as well as Hybrid Cloud and Cloud Security for all industries across A/NZ. Prior to that she was a Risk Partner managing Cybersecurity and data analytics for government clients at Deloitte and a Lead Client Partner for Defence on Risk.

Kylie has a strong interest in human behaviour in regards to technologies including users and cyber criminal behaviour, and regularly advises clients on strengthening security based on her insights. She is both a Sociologist and a Technologist with experience and degrees in sociology, management, cyber and data. She has advised and managed clients across Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and Korea with innovation, data management, advanced analytics and security.

Her insights into cyber warfare and criminal activity hinge on the human side of malicious attacks with an intent to determine the intent of the actors, degree of maliciousness and to help teams prepare their cyber defence (or level of offence). Kylie holds a top secret Australian government security clearance. On top of that she loves exploring why people are drawn to cyber crime.

Kylie has won awards for innovation, new products/services, business and community service and has a track record of leading large multifaceted teams of hundreds of people with deep technical expertise on technology projects and programs for consulting budgets as large as $300M+. In her spare time she is the Chair of a Charity Think Tank the National Institute for Strategic Resilience (NISR) that seeks to gather perspectives and encourage diversity of thought on national resilience and security policy…. and can be seen on the basketball court most weekends managing junior premier league teams, coaching, mentoring emerging coaches, and watching her children play.