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“We don’t rise to the plan. We fall back on experience — and that’s where the real gap is.”

Dr Carl Gibson’s career is nothing short of extraordinary — a journey that spans science, national security, aviation, government strategy, academia, and frontline emergency response.
In this episode, Carl takes us from his early beginnings in the north of England, through military service as an army officer and time spent in policing, before pursuing a PhD in neuropathology. His scientific career led him to Australia, where he headed a disease investigation and research unit, working on complex outbreaks including insect-borne viruses, a mass blindness event in kangaroos, and a large-scale marine die-off affecting pilchards. His work brought him into collaboration with global organisations including the Centers for Disease Control and the Institut Pasteur, and into direct briefings with government ministers and senior leadership.
From there, Carl transitioned into government, taking on a senior role in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, leading strategy, planning, and contributing to national security efforts at a state level. He then moved into the aviation sector, holding an executive position with Australia’s second-largest airline, where he led risk management, crisis management, emergency management, and business continuity.
His career continued into regulatory leadership as a senior executive within a health and safety regulator, before moving into higher education as Deputy Chief Operating Officer at a major university, where he spent over a decade in senior leadership roles. Today, Carl operates as a consultant, bringing together decades of cross-sector expertise.
Alongside this remarkable professional journey, Carl has spent over 35 years as an active volunteer firefighter with the Country Fire Authority in Australia. Rising to the role of lieutenant and training officer, he has led teams on the frontline of some of the most dangerous bushfire environments in the world, including serving as an incident controller. Firefighting is not just his role, but a family commitment — his wife serves as a brigade captain, and all three of his children have followed the same path into emergency service and healthcare professions.
This episode is not just a story of roles and titles — it is a masterclass in lived experience. Carl shares powerful insights on risk, resilience, climate variability, leadership under pressure, and the reality of decision-making when theory gives way to real-world consequences.
From laboratories to government cabinets, from airline crisis rooms to burning fire lines, Carl Gibson’s story is a reminder that true expertise is built not in isolation — but in action, over time, and often under pressure.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-carl-a-gibson-2a26882/
Security Circle ⭕️  is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

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Summary
This week on The Security Circle Podcast, Yolanda sits down with Anna Rowe, founder of Catch the Catfish and co-founder of LoveSaid, to expose the hidden reality of romance fraud.
What starts as connection quickly becomes manipulation.
From love bombing and trauma bonding to financial exploitation and psychological control, Anna shares her personal experience and the patterns she now sees every day supporting victims and working with law enforcement and banks.
This isn’t just about scams.
It’s about human vulnerability, behavioural manipulation, and systemic failure.
Together, they explore:
Why romance fraud is increasing despite “platform protections”
How criminals exploit psychology, not just technology
The failure of big tech and the unintended consequences of automation
Why victims are still being blamed — and why that must change
The role of banks, platforms, and regulation in stopping this crime
This episode will change how you think about trust, identity, and digital safety.
Because this isn’t just fraud.
It’s manipulation at scale.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-rowe-95323753/
Security Circle ⭕️  is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

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🎙️ Why Is Security by Design Still an Afterthought?
The Security Circle Podcast with Pablo Breuer
Security leaders have been talking about “security by design” for years. The principle is simple: build security into systems, technology, and processes from the very beginning — not bolt it on once the damage is already done.
So why does it still so often arrive too late?
In this episode of The Security Circle Podcast, host Yolanda “Yoyo” Hamblen is joined by cybersecurity strategist and former U.S. Navy Information Warfare officer Pablo Breuer for a candid conversation about the gap between security theory and real-world implementation.
Drawing on experience across military information warfare, cyber defence, and enterprise security, Pablo explores why organisations continue to treat security as a compliance exercise rather than a design principle. From technology innovation racing ahead of governance, to the growing threat of disinformation and influence operations, the discussion highlights how the modern threat landscape demands a far more integrated approach to security thinking.
Together they explore:
Why security by design often struggles to gain traction inside organisations
The cultural and leadership barriers that keep security on the sidelines
How influence operations and information warfare are changing the security landscape
Why protecting systems is no longer enough — people and perception are now part of the attack surface
What it really takes to embed security into innovation, strategy, and decision-making
This episode challenges a difficult question for every organisation:
If we all agree security should be built in from the start…
Why do we still treat it as an afterthought?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablobreuer/

Security Circle ⭕️  is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

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The SIA Update: What’s Changing in 2026 (And Why It Matters)
The regulatory landscape of UK security is shifting — and 2026 could be a defining year.
In this exclusive return to The Security Circle, Michelle Russell, CEO of the Security Industry Authority (SIA), shares a major update on the direction of travel for the regulator and the wider industry.
From a landmark move under the Security Minister’s portfolio to the implementation of Martyn’s Law, the SIA is preparing for one of the most significant expansions of its remit since its creation.
But this episode goes beyond headlines.
We explore:
• The move from “binary compliance” to judging quality
• Why 98% compliance still demands stronger enforcement
• Operation Resolute and tackling training malpractice
• The future of business licensing — voluntary and potentially mandatory
• How public trust and protective security are being redefined
This is not just about regulation.
It’s about raising standards.
It’s about visibility.
It’s about cultural change.
If you work in security — whether frontline, leadership or procurement — this conversation will shape how you think about the next five years.
2026 isn’t just another year.
It’s a pivot point.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-russell-2938991b/

Security Circle ⭕️  is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

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🎙️ Podcast Summary
The Security Institute: Standards, Leadership, and the Future of the Profession
with Sarah Austerberry (CEO) and Julie Nel (Chair)
In this episode of the Security Circle Podcast, Yolanda Hamblen is joined by Sarah Austerberry, CEO of the Security Institute, and Julie Nel, Chair of the Institute, for a candid discussion about professional standards, leadership under pressure, and the evolving maturity of the security industry.
This is not a conversation about labels. It’s a conversation about leadership, credibility, and the long game of building a profession.
Raising the Standard of Security
At its core, the Security Institute exists to professionalise the industry. That means:
Validated professional grades
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Cross-sector collaboration (public, private, government, military)
Active engagement in policy and standards
Unlike more niche associations, the Institute positions itself as a broad, cross-disciplinary body. Whether you’re front line, intelligence, risk, cyber, protective security, academia or consultancy, there’s a place within its structure.
The key differentiator? Validation and accountability.
Professional grades are assessed. CPD is expected. Standards are upheld.
For employers and clients, that matters.
From Membership to Leadership
Julie reflects on her journey from member to Chair — and the reality of driving change within a long-established institution.Her focus has been simple: modernise perception, increase collaboration, and ensure the Institute reflects the industry as it exists today — not as it was perceived years ago.That hasn’t been without resistance.But leadership, as she makes clear, means absorbing pressure, holding course, and staying aligned to the long-term mission rather than short-term noise.
It’s a frank reminder that influence roles require resilience — and sometimes thick skin. The CEO Perspective: Decision-Making Under Pressure- Sarah offers valuable insight for senior leaders.
Stepping into the CEO role, she highlights a critical lesson:
You don’t need to have all the answers — but you must know how to test your thinking.Her approach:
Build strong internal teams
Use trusted external networks
Test hypotheses before committing to decisions
Recognise that leadership is not a solo act
Sarah frames change not as disruption, but as opportunity — when it is purposeful, proportionate, and clearly communicated.
Julie reinforces the reality that driving institutional change can be uncomfortable — especially when challenging legacy perceptions — but avoiding change is riskier.
Security, as a profession, cannot afford stagnation.
Imposter Syndrome Reframed
The discussion also touches on “imposter syndrome” — but reframed in practical terms.
Instead of seeing it as weakness, it’s positioned as a signal:
You are stretching.
You are outside your comfort zone.
You are growing.
For leaders and emerging professionals alike, that’s a powerful shift in mindset.
Community, Network, and the Long Game
Perhaps the most compelling takeaway is the emphasis on community.
The Institute’s value is not just accreditation — it’s access:
40+ years of collective experience in one room
Public and private sector cross-pollination
Mentorship and servant leadership
Informal peer support when leadership gets heavy
Security can be isolating at senior levels. Membership bodies — when functioning properly — remove that isolation.
Security Circle ⭕️  is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers