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IAA AGM 2024 update

Following last week’s Annual General Meeting we’re pleased to announce the IAA Board election results.

Congratulations to our newly elected Board Members:

Karl Kloppenborg and Fraser McGlinn.

Both have been elected for three-year terms and will take their places alongside Matthew Enger (Board Chair), Brett O’Hara (Deputy Chair), David Hooton and Nathan Brookfield.

We extend a special note of appreciation to our outgoing Board Members, Richard Thompson (2021-2024) and Matthew Moyle-Croft (2020-2024). Both have made outstanding contributions to IAA and the internet community during their tenure, and we thank them for their service.

Thanks also to all Board nominees, voters and attendees of this year’s IAA AGM.

Once again, this meeting was held online. As outlined in the agenda, the meeting received a report from the Chair, Deputy Chair and CEO, along with the aforementioned election result and the appointment of the auditor.

For those that missed the AGM or would just like a recap, you can find our Annual Report, the AGM slide deck via the [IAA website] and the meeting has been placed on the IAA YouTube Channel.

You will find further information about the Internet Association of Australia Ltd in the IAA Annual Report.

Should you have any questions about the AGM, please contact secretary@internet.asn.au.

Welcome our new Board Members

Karl Kloppenborg – Professional Member

We are thrilled to announce that Karl Kloppenborg has secured a position on the IAA Board! After a strong campaign last year, he came back for a second attempt to secure a place, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to our community and the future of internet governance.

With over 15 years of hands-on experience in telecommunications, systems engineering, cloud computing and internet advocacy, Karl is perfectly positioned to contribute to the IAA’s continued growth and advancement.

Karl currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of ResetData Pty Ltd, where he is spearheading the development of the world’s first environmentally sustainable public cloud. Before joining ResetData, he held key positions at organisations such as Real World Group, DigitalMaas, and Crucial Cloud Hosting, where he designed and developed critical systems, including cloud environments and analytics platforms. His career has been marked by a dedication to innovation in cloud computing and distributed systems, and his technical expertise spans a range of programming languages, systems engineering tools, and virtualisation technologies.

In addition to his technical background, Karl is deeply committed to the development and governance of the internet. He has been actively involved with APNIC (Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre) for several years, advocating for policy changes related to transparency, fair representation, and meaningful reforms in internet governance. His advocacy efforts have provided him with valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing our global internet infrastructure.

Please join us in welcoming Karl to the Board!

Fraser McGlinn – Professional Member

We are excited to announce that Fraser McGlinn has secured a position on the IAA Board! After vying for a seat last year, Fraser put his hand up again to secure a seat on the Board this year, showcasing his continued passion for the internet community.

Fraser brings a broad professional background that spans multiple countries, including New Zealand, Australia, and the Philippines, offering a unique perspective on the needs of the sector.

In his current role, Fraser leads the Network Design and Architecture Team at an ISP in the Philippines, where he is dedicated to the mission of “Accelerating internet for the Philippines and improving connectivity for all Filipinos.” Central to this mission is the operation of the Philippines’ largest Internet Exchange, where fostering relationships and community engagement has been key to its ongoing success. As Fraser says, “When we share, everyone wins.”

A strong advocate for upholding the founding core values of the internet—community, inclusivity, and respect—Fraser’s extensive experience in governance, technical, and operational roles has deepened his commitment to promoting these principles in real and measurable ways.

As a Board Member, Fraser says he is dedicated to evolving outreach and mentoring programs such as IAASysters, which provide vital mentorship opportunities for young people and newcomers to the field.

Fraser also emphasises the importance of sensible policy development, advocating for open discussions between the industry and government. He is committed to facilitating forums that address internet-related issues, fostering cooperation and community-building while ensuring there is no disconnect between the government and the industry.

Please join us in welcoming Fraser McGlinn to the Board!

Governance, News, Newsletters, Past Events

IAASysters are unstoppable

In September we hosted our fourth annual IAASysters Workshop, followed by two days at the AusNOG conference, to take advantage of industry networking, learn the latest industry trends and receive in-depth technical training.

Thanks again to our awesome sponsors. We couldn’t do this without you!

Here are some pictures highlighting this year’s program.

News, Newsletters, Past Events, Sponsorship

IAASysters 2025 is double the fun

Hot on the heels of Sydney, we’re set to double our efforts in 2025 announcing IAASysters Workshops in New Zealand and Melbourne! Whether you want to apply for yourself, nominate someone, or explore sponsorship opportunities, this is your chance to get involved!

About IAASysters

Now in its fifth year, the IAASysters program offers a one-day workshop focused on career development, followed by attendance at a major technical conference. This combination equips successful participants with essential skills, hands-on training, and invaluable networking opportunities within the industry.

IAASysters Melbourne Workshop

The IAASysters Workshop in Melbourne will take place on Tuesday, 2 September 2025, prior to the AusNOG Conference which our IAASysters will attend on Wednesday, 3 and Thursday, 4 September 2025.

IAASysters NZ Napier Workshop – backed by NZNOG!

In addition, we are thrilled to expand our program across the ditch this year. We will be hosting an IAASysters NZ Workshop on Wednesday, 9 April 2025, in Napier, NZ, with support from the NZNOG conference, which our IAASysters will also attend on Thursday, 10 and Friday, 11 April 2025. This is open to both Australians and New Zealanders!

What’s included for successful applicants

A ticket to attend the IAASysters Workshop
A ticket to the AusNOG or NZNOG conference
Economy airfare and accommodation (if required)
A one-year complimentary IAA Professional Membership (for Australian delegates only)

Eligibility criteria for applicants:

Must be employed or working towards a career in the internet industry
Have a passion for the internet and the internet industry
Be a resident of Australia or New Zealand (Melbourne is only open to residents of Australia)

As part of the application, we ask for an overview of the applicant’s current role, a summary of career aspirations and/or relevant training. Applications must include a statement of endorsement from either a direct supervisor or mentor; in the case of nominations, the nominator’s endorsement statement will be accepted.

*Applications are open for women working in ALL types of roles within the internet industry (network operations, engineering, IT, marketing, regulation, customer support or those studying towards a relevant degree or diploma).

Apply or nominate a Syster today via the IAA website:

Applications close

Melbourne: Friday, 25 April 2025, at 5:00pm AEST
Napier: Friday, 7 February 2025, at 5:00pm NZDT

Think your organisation might care to Sponsor?

For organisations looking to empower more women in the tech space, we offer sponsorship opportunities that will highlight your brand’s commitment to diversity.

Events, News, Newsletters

Introducing our IAASysters Board Mentee – Emma Mondy

We are thrilled to announce that Emma Mondy has been selected as the successful candidate for this year’s IAASysters Board Mentorship Program! After a highly competitive application process, Emma stood out for her passion, expertise, and commitment to advancing women’s leadership in the internet industry.

Emma attended the IAASysters Workshop in 2023 and is currently Director of Operations and People at Sat.One, Perth. Emma says she is eager to support IAA in shaping the future, where more women take on leadership roles.

Under the guidance of our Board Chair, Matthew Enger, Emma will embark on a one-year mentorship journey, gaining invaluable insights into what it takes to be part of the IAA Board. This mentorship is designed to empower women to take on leadership roles in shaping the future of Australia’s internet industry, by bringing diverse perspectives to the table.

The IAASysters Board Mentorship Program reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting women in developing their skills and confidence to participate in governance and decision-making at the highest levels.

Please join us in congratulating Emma. We are excited to see how her journey will contribute to IAA’s vision of a more inclusive and innovative internet industry.

News

IAA Convergent event series wrap-up

We rounded off this year’s IAA Convergent event series strongly with in-person events in Adelaide and Canberra and an exciting online hypothetical crisis scenario, ‘It’s DOWN!!!’

IAA Convergent Adelaide

NEXTDC graciously gave us a sneak preview with a tour of our newest PoP location and we can tell you, it’s A1! The evening continued at The Elephant for drinks and nibbles. Big thanks to NEXTDC for the tour and all the Members who joined us for a memorable night!

IAA Convergent Canberra

IAA Convergent Online

If you missed our IAA Convergent online event, ‘It’s DOWN!!’ here’s your second chance!

Watch as our expert team tackles a live, spontaneous role-play simulating a network outage. Guided by facilitator Narelle Clark, our seasoned expert panel: Elise Davidson, Matthew Kobayashi, Anne Mikita, Holly Raiche, and Aftab Siddiqui—navigated through technical and organisational challenges, showcasing the tools and strategies used during a crisis, and even the human impact involved.

Whether you’re a seasoned network engineer or just curious, this session is packed with insights that can help in real-world situations.

Watch now on IAA’s YouTube channel.

News, Newsletters, Past Events

CommsDay Wholesale Congress news

IAA recently participated in the CommsDay Wholesale Congress in Melbourne, where our CEO, Narelle Clark, took the stage alongside industry leaders from Telstra, NBN, Vocus, and more.

Narelle’s talk, “Internet Exchange Points – Their Place in the Contemporary Landscape,” explored and explained the evolving role of IXPs in today’s telecommunications ecosystem. Not wishing to waste an opportunity, Narelle also highlighted the existence of disinformation about consumer regulation, and this was highly applauded by industry participants.

The two-day event was packed with networking opportunities, insightful sessions, and discussions on the latest trends shaping the future of telecom. Thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of the Congress!

News, Newsletters

NEXTDC A1 – we’re here and ready to peer!

We’re proud to announce our newest Point of Presence in NEXTDC’s A1 Adelaide data centre!

IAA is committed to meeting the growing needs of our Members and going where you want to see us. With that in mind, we’re thrilled to share news of our presence in the brand-new NEXTDC A1 Adelaide facility. We’re also pleased to be offering 100Gbps ports for the first time on SA-IX.

As the State’s first Tier IV-certified colocation facility, A1 offers unmatched fault tolerance, energy efficiency, and security. We secured the first of their 1,470-rack capacity and with 5MW of IT power capacity, A1 will provide the quality connectivity and resilient infrastructure that our Members rely on.

So, of course we’re here! Our Members wouldn’t have it any other way.

Order your ports via the IAA Member Portal now:

News, Newsletters, Technical

Besides ourselves

In September we headed to BSides Canberra 2024, hosted at the National Convention Centre. Once again it was a packed event that brought together cybersecurity enthusiasts from across Australia and beyond. Known for its diverse range of activities, the conference offered everything from advanced talks to hands-on labs, interactive villages, and of course, the ever-popular Capture the Flag (CTF) competition.

Regardless of where you are in your cyber career, BSides has something for everyone. The Main Track stage opened with keynote speaker Valentina Palmiotti speaking on “The Exploit Development Life Cycle: From Concept to Compromise,” diving deep into the nuances of exploit creation and the steps from concept through execution. Then later, there was a practical session titled “How to Land Your First Job in Cybersecurity,” led by Jatin Kumar, covering actionable steps for new cybersecurity professionals.

The ever-popular Hardware Hacking Village provided a hands-on area where attendees could assemble custom badges. However, the highlight for many was the BlackBag Challenge, an immersive blend of hacking, espionage, and physical security. This ‘blind’ challenge led our Tech Team through a series of increasingly difficult tasks scattered around the conference centre, culminating in an attempt to breach a secured “server room.” Under the hacker name IAAsengard, the team came close to entering the server room, but there was a huge queue, so they chose to focus on the CyBears Capture the Flag (CTF) competition instead.

This time’s CTF was a fantasy-themed cybersecurity quest, testing skills in cryptography, reverse engineering, and web security. The event buzzed with quiet intensity as teams worked through the puzzles, whispering to avoid tipping off competitors, with the occasional chase after a roaming “spy” who held clues to one of the challenges. This year our Tech Team finished in an impressive 26th place out of 198 teams.

All-in-all, BSides Canberra 2024 successfully combined the thrill of technical challenges with opportunities for skill-building and networking, leaving attendees eager for next year’s event. For IAAsengard, it was an experience full of learning, testing skills, and sharing their expertise within the global cybersecurity community.

News, Newsletters

Advocacy Corner – August – November 2024 update

From events to consultations, it’s been as busy as ever for our Policy Team!

You may have noticed IAA being highlighted in CommsDay for taking a stance on important regulatory issues. Whether it be for our CEO setting the record straight on the TCP Code at a major industry event, or our response to the one of our many consultations such as the Senate Committee’s inquiry into the privacy reform, we’re dedicated to representing our Members and to improving the telecommunications regulatory landscape.

As we’ve reported in previous newsletters, the co-regulation approach for telecommunications policy is coming under attack and as Narelle noted in her presentation at the CommsDay Wholesale Forum, there seems to be some ‘arguably disinformation’ floating around on what co-regulatory codes like the TCP Code actually mean. Rest assured, we’ll continue to advocate for the continuation of co-regulation for the telco sector to ensure that regulation affecting the industry is developed by those who actually operate and understand telco systems!

Our Policy Officer and Board Chair also gave a lightning talk at AusNOG to give an update on recent and upcoming regulatory changes, as well as to spread awareness about IAA’s important advocacy work, and how to get involved via the IAA Public Policy Advisory Panel (PPAP).

Speaking of which, the PPAP met for its quarterly meeting on 22 August. Discussions centred around the TIO and its recent changes to its reclassifications approach, which we reported in the last August newsletter. We are now accepting applications to the PPAP.