Ms Lauren Veenstra, from Cheltenham in Sydney’s north, graduated with a Master of Cybersecurity and was awarded a Postgraduate University Medal at a ceremony in Rosehill on Tuesday 10 September.

“Receiving this medal is not just a recognition of my academic achievements; it’s a testament to what dedication and passion can accomplish,” Lauren said.

“This honour underscores the importance of perseverance in pursuing your goals, no matter how challenging the path may seem, and I hope this recognition inspires others to pursue their passions with the same determination, knowing that their efforts can lead to remarkable achievements.”

The medal is awarded to students graduating from a Charles Sturt postgraduate course with a GPA of 6.75 or higher and have completed at least 64 points of their studies with the University.

Lauren graduated with a perfect GPA of 7, further solidifying the foundations of a successful career spanning engineering, technology, and cyber.

“Throughout my career, I have been involved in critical infrastructure, working across sectors like water, bulk liquid fuels and, more recently, the electricity sector,” she said.

“In these industries, I’ve seen firsthand how technology can transform operations, facilitating widescale automation of processes and enabling organisations to leverage relevant data for more informed decision-making, process improvements, innovative design solutions and more.”

However, Lauren became increasingly aware of a gap as these digital transformations advanced.

“The robust risk management practices applied to process safety were not always mirrored in the integration of operational technology with corporate systems, and this gap left critical assets exposed to risks that were not fully recognised or mitigated,” she said.

“This realisation was a turning point for me and encouraged me to pursue the Master of Cybersecurity, not as a starting point, but as a way to augment and enhance my existing expertise.

“The program reinforced that cybersecurity is not just about defence; it’s about building resilience, anticipating risks and creating systems that can adapt and recover in the face of adversity.”

Lauren has already demonstrated tangible outcomes from her postgraduate studies, having completed a research paper titled, ‘CRITICAL NEXUS: The Role of Policy and Cybersecurity in Critical Infrastructure Resilience’.

“This paper represents the culmination of my studies and professional experiences, exploring how policy and cybersecurity interact and what policy controls are effective in uplifting the resilience of critical infrastructure,” she said.

“The insights and findings from this research mark the beginning of an ongoing journey, one that I am eager to continue as I present these ideas at conferences throughout the year.

“These engagements will allow me to share my work with others in the field, exchange ideas and further contribute to the collective understanding of how we can better protect the vital systems that underpin our society.”

Beyond her studies, Lauren has also become an active member of Charles Sturt University in multiple other ways, including as a member of the Academic Senate, Student Leader, Co-Convenor of the Ally Network, member of the Student Representative Committee and Secretary of the Cyber Security Society.

This involvement and passion for learning has placed Lauren in good stead for her future endeavours.

“Looking forward, I hope to step into the role of Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) where I can leverage both my industry experience and advanced cybersecurity knowledge,” she said.

“I am also passionate about contributing to the broader community. Specifically, I aspire to serve on the board of non-profit organisations that focus on supporting the more vulnerable in society.

“By uplifting cybersecurity governance in these organisations, I aim to help them better protect their operations and in turn the communities they serve.”

Lauren also encouraged anyone, no matter their field of expertise or interest, to pursue postgraduate studies.

“For anyone considering a similar path, I encourage you to take that step because the impact you can make, both within your organisation and in the broader world, has the potential to be truly transformative,” she said.