The Chair's Check In: Michael Burchell on AISA at the Halfway Mark of 2026 | CyberConnect Canberra

In this episode of Cyber Voices, the official podcast of AISA, host David Savva-Willett sits down with Michael Burchell, Chair of the Australian Information Security Association, for a mid year check in on the state of Australia's peak body for cyber security. Recorded on the floor at the inaugural CyberConnect Canberra in the nation's capital, it is a candid look at where AISA sits at the halfway point of 2026, and, fittingly, it is Michael's very first podcast.The conversation opens with the reimagining of the event itself, the move from CyberCon Canberra to CyberConnect Canberra, and why a smaller, more curated and more local gathering is the right way to connect industry and professionals with government on regulation, consultation and cyber strategy. Michael and David also reflect on the proud tradition of the Australian Parliament House dinner in the Great Hall.From there the discussion turns to the year so far for an association now representing more than 14,000 members. Michael shares an update on the professionalisation town halls held around the country, the launch of the new Learning Portal for ongoing professional development, the scholarship program and its diversity work alongside partners such as AWSN, and the board's new long term strategy built around strategic pillars and a horizons approach.He also looks ahead to the SEC days still to come in Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin, and to the flagship CyberCon in Melbourne, with early bird registrations now open. Above all it is a thank you to the volunteers and branch committees who, in Michael's words, are the reason the association exists at all.Links to resources mentioned in this episodeAISA professionalisation pilot, including the key questions and responses Michael mentioned: https://aisa.org.au/public/Public/News_and_Media/Professionalisation/Professionalisation.aspxAISA Learning Portal, available now to all members (accessed through the AISA member area) https://www.aisa.org.auCyberCon Melbourne, early bird registrations open: https://www.cyberconference.com.au/ Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN): https://www.awsn.org.au/