Dr Jennifer Williams, from the Department of Security Studies and Criminology, has been awarded Best Cyber Technician or Specialist Under 35 at the coveted Defence & National Security Workforce Awards 2024.
Over 250 members of the defence and national security workforce industries attended the first awards ceremony on Wednesday 12 June 2024, with 17 winners chosen from 83 finalists.
The awards recognise the achievements of professionals and businesses for their contribution to ensuring Australia’s safety and prosperity.
"I love my role as a cybersecurity researcher and educator and pour my heart and soul into my work,” says Dr Williams.
“Receiving this award is a tremendous honour and a testament to my dedication, hard work, and passion in the field. This award reflects not only my own dedication and achievement but also that of the Department of Security Studies and Criminology which, along with the Faculty of Arts more broadly, has been instrumental in my development as a researcher during my PhD candidature and early career research. This award truly demonstrates that we are on the cutting-edge of research in defence against disruptive technologies.”
“This award is an incredible and well-deserved achievement for Dr Williams and exemplifies her important research and impact to the field of cybersecurity and Australia’s national security,” says Professor Sakkie Pretorius, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).
“Macquarie is home to world-leading research that seeks to stimulate positive change and address local, national and global challenges.”
Dr Jennifer Williams is a lecturer in Cyber Security Analysis, specialising in cybersecurity and human behaviour. Her current focus is on understanding the cognitive science behind the cybersecurity behaviours of the general public and uncovering ways to motivate and encourage people to engage in better cybersecurity practices. Other research projects including improving user-end cyber resilience, understanding public perceptions and responses to cyber-attacks and tracking disinformation and foreign influence operations.
From L to R: Professor Dan Johnson (Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Enterprise)), Professor Sakkie Pretorius (Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)), Dr Jennifer Williams, Professor Julian Droogan (Interim Head of the Department of Security Studies and Criminology), Dr Matt van Breugel (Research Partnerships)