Public Sector Podcast: The 2025 Cyber Security Landscape in SA - Navigating the Year Ahead

In this episode, Darren Van Someren, Acting Government Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Treasury and Finance, SA, shares a compelling outlook on the evolving cybersecurity landscape in South Australia as we head into 2025. He highlights the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, the impact of geopolitical instability, and the need for collective resilience across government, industry, and community. Darren advocates for a shift away from fear-based messaging towards shared understanding and collaboration as the foundation for effective cybersecurity.

Darren also explores how new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, present both challenges and opportunities for defenders and threat actors alike. From misinformation campaigns to deepfakes and AI-engineered phishing, he discusses the risks we must prepare for—and how we can adapt. He introduces the importance of threat hunting, proactive defence, and ensuring that organisations are equipped to act decisively and communicate clearly in the face of growing cyber risks.

Key Discussion Points

• The Evolving Threat Landscape – How global political uncertainty and cybercrime convergence are fuelling a new wave of sophisticated attacks. 
• AI and Cybersecurity – Exploring both the offensive and defensive uses of AI, including the risks of deepfakes, prompt engineering, and AI-enhanced phishing campaigns. 
• Threat Hunting and Early Detection – Why proactive practices like threat hunting are becoming essential, and how South Australia is integrating these capabilities into its cyber defence strategy. 
• Building a Resilient Cyber Ecosystem – Encouraging collaboration between public and private sectors, improving reporting, and enhancing cyber situational awareness.

Why You Should Listen

This episode is a must-listen for cybersecurity professionals, government leaders, tech innovators, and risk managers looking to understand how to navigate a rapidly changing threat environment. Darren offers a realistic but optimistic perspective—emphasising the power of shared responsibility, preparedness, and community-driven resilience in the face of complex cyber challenges.

🎧 Tune in to explore how South Australia is preparing to stay cyber secure in 2025—and why we all have a role to play.