S2E4: Securing the Self: Mental Wellness in Cybersecurity ft. Nikki Webb

Cybersecurity is often seen as a technical challenge, but at its heart, it’s really about people. In this episode, we’re joined by Jen Hill to explore the connection between mental health, human behaviour and modern cyber threats. Drawing on her seven years as a mental health nurse before transitioning into cybersecurity, Jen shares how her experiences supporting young people and their families have shaped the way she understands trust, vulnerability and online safety. We discuss the impact of social media and digital communities on young people’s wellbeing, the challenges of protecting vulnerable individuals online, and how technology can enable exploitation and modern slavery. We also explore the surprising similarities between healthcare and cybersecurity, and why understanding the psychology and motivations of threat actors is just as important as understanding the technology they use. Tune in for a discussion about human behaviour, digital vulnerability and the changing nature of modern threats.

In this special episode of the podcast, we sat down with Rob Black, Cyber Citizen of the Year 2024, international keynote speaker, community builder, and one of the driving forces behind the Cyber Leaders Challenge. Throughout his career, Rob has worked at the intersection of cybersecurity, leadership, policy, and community building, helping bring together experts, organisations, and future talent to tackle some of the sector's biggest challenges. Together, we explore what happens when diversity moves beyond good intentions and into real-world decision-making. From diversity beyond what we can immediately see, including lived experience, neurodiversity, career pathways, and socioeconomic background, to the fear many people have of getting diversity conversations wrong, this episode tackles some of the more nuanced and challenging aspects of inclusion. We also discuss the perceived tension between representation and expertise, the role of belonging and allyship in tackling imposter syndrome, and how diverse teams can drive innovation, improve decision-making, and create better outcomes for everyone. A thoughtful, honest, and at times challenging conversation that left us with plenty to reflect on. A big thank you always to the Cyber Leaders Summit for their support in bringing this episode to life.

Risk is everywhere in business-but how well do we really understand it? In this episode, we’re joined by Ivan to explore what effective risk management actually looks like in practice, and why it needs to be about far more than dashboards, metrics and ticking boxes. We discuss how to make risk management accessible and meaningful across an organisation, rather than something that sits within a specialist team. We also explore the dangers of cyber teams becoming too insulated from the wider business, why having a “big picture” view of risk matters, and how personal attitudes and unconscious bias can influence the way we assess and respond to risk. Whether you work in cyber, risk, leadership (or have nothing to do with either) we challenge some common assumptions and ask how we can all start thinking about risk differently. Tune in for a conversation about making risk practical, accessible and relevant to everyone.

In this special episode of the podcast, we’re joined by Glenn, whose remarkable journey has taken him from a curious young technologist to studying AI, becoming one of the industry’s most recognised ethical hackers, and ultimately founding his own cybersecurity organisation, Agger Labs. Glenn shares the experiences and lessons that have shaped his career, from discovering the world of ethical hacking to building the skills and mindset needed to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals. We explore how cybersecurity has evolved throughout his career, what separates a good hacker from a great one, and how the rapid rise of AI is changing both cybercrime and cyber defence. We also dive into Glenn’s journey from ethical hacker to founder, the challenges of leadership and building an organisation, and the mission behind Agger Labs. At the heart of the conversation is a cause Glenn is particularly passionate about: taking the fight directly to ransomware groups and, quite literally, sticking two fingers up to ransomware. A big thank you to the Cyber Leaders Summit for their support in bringing this episode to life.

What happens when geopolitics moves from the battlefield into our news feeds, social media and everyday lives? In this episode, we’re joined by Stuart Jubb to explore the increasingly blurred lines between technology, influence and global power. We discuss who is really driving online conversations, how algorithms, bots and state-backed influence campaigns can shape public debate, and whether misinformation and disinformation have become powerful tools of modern conflict. We also unpack the growing role of cyber in geopolitical competition, and ask how AI-generated content and deepfakes could make influence operations even harder to detect. Most importantly, we explore what governments, organisations and individuals can do to build resilience, protect trust and navigate an increasingly complex information environment. Buy our latest book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Resilient-You-Agony-Keeping-Together/dp/1068445416/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 Connect with Stuart: http://linkedin.com/in/stuart-jubb-33a26232/ Connect with Amelia: www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-hewitt-44b510182 Connect with Rebecca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-taylor-cyber/