Episode 337 Deep Dive: Christine Gadsby | Why Mobile Espionage is a Critical National Security Threat to Australia and Globally

In this episode, we sit down with Christine Gadsby, Chief Security Advisor at BlackBerry, as she explores why mobile espionage has become a critical national security threat in Australia and globally. Christine unpacks the mounting risks posed by outdated telco infrastructure, the vulnerability of mobile communications, and the rapid evolution of attacker tactics—fueled by AI, automation, and the expansive attack surface created by free messaging apps. She highlights the real-world impact of scams, cultural differences in social engineering, and the challenges faced by both consumers and organizations in protecting sensitive information. Christine Gadsby is the Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer for BlackBerry Secure Communications. With over 20 years of experience in mobile and information security, Christine is known for her strategic vision and leadership skills, with a proven track record of developing and implementing robust strategies that protect organizations from evolving risks and digital threats – particularly in the areas of communications security and critical event management. Gadsby is a visionary who helped pioneer secure software supply chain efforts and SDLC capabilities influencing industry and government-driven security frameworks in use by the world’s most security-conscious industries. She is a sought-after panelist, moderator, and keynote speaker with several awards for challenging security mindsets and leading Diversity efforts, including Cybersecurity Woman of the Year, Power 100 Women in Security, and Top 10 Women Leading Cybersecurity. She is a well-known contributor, including RSA, CES, Black Hat and has been quoted in notable media outlets Fox News, CBS, Yahoo, MSN, CSO Magazine, CyberScoop, and Dark Reading.