Webinar: Cybersecurity in mineral processing - Protecting control systems in the age of digitisation

Join the Metallurgical Society for their webinar: Cybersecurity in mineral processing - Protecting control systems in the age of digitisation.

About this event

As mineral processing operations become more digitally integrated, their exposure to cyber threats increases dramatically - particularly through vulnerable control systems, unsecured data practices, and poorly segregated networks. While major producers are strengthening their cyber postures, many smaller sites remain exposed to significant risks.

This webinar will offer a focused briefing for metallurgists, plant operators, IT teams and processing managers on the evolving threat landscape targeting process control systems and operational data flows. Drawing on experience from national security and critical infrastructure protection, the session will unpack:

• Key cyber threat actors and their tactics targeting processing plants
• Real-world case studies, including phishing-based breaches and control system compromises
• Risks associated with digital transformation—cloud use, AI models, external platforms (e.g., ChatGPT), and poor segmentation
• Practical considerations for strengthening security in both large-scale and smaller operations

With an emphasis on metallurgical operations and plant-level vulnerabilities, the session will offer insights and strategies relevant to operations teams, technical managers, and service providers seeking to reduce their exposure before incidents occur.

Webinar time: 1.00pm - 2.00pm AEST

Speaker/s

James Ellis-Smith

AAusIMM

Executive Director, Sunstone Advisory

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James Ellis-Smith is an Executive Director with Sunstone Advisory. James is an intelligence professional with over two decades of experience in the military, national intelligence community, and commercial roles. James is a former Army officer and is currently a PhD research candidate with the Australian National University.

Neesha Wilson

Cyber Security Specialist, Sunstone Advisory

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Neesha Wilson is the lead for Sunstone Advisory’s cybersecurity capability, providing cybersecurity services to government agencies and private industry. Throughout her career, Neesha has held cyber security and intelligence roles and led Cyber Threat Intelligence and Intelligence operations at the federal government level. Neesha takes pride in being able to contribute towards making the digital space safer for individuals and organisations.

Neesha has extensive experience of working with the National Intelligence Community and international partners. Prior to that, Ms Wilson worked overseas including the UK and New Zealand. Neesha holds a Bachelor of IT Management, Graduate Certificate in Government Informatics and a Master of Cyber Security.