Computer & Information Network Security

**Aim** Developing A.I / Machine Learning systems ... optionally with Robots **Web-site: [https://ai-ml-robots.github.io](https://ai-ml-robots.github.io)** **Discussions: [https://tinyurl.com/ai-ml-robots-discussions](https://tinyurl.com/ai-ml-robots-discussions)** **Pre-meeting catch-up:** 6:00 pm at [Fonda Mexican restaurant, 248 Swan Street, Richmond](https://maps.app.goo.gl/eytwnmbDGrmTY7GX7) ***(our table will have orange traffic cones)*** ... great opportunity for casual discussion and especially for newcomers to get acquainted with the group **Activity:** Using [Google Colab](https://colab.google) and [Aiko Services](https://github.com/geekscape/aiko_services), we will build a project ... where the details will be provided / updated a couple of weeks prior to the meet-up date. **Agenda:** 7:00 pm sharp at 415 Church Street, Richmond \- 7:00 pm ML software "guided" build session using Google Colab \- 9:30 pm Projects show and tell: ad\-hoc for anyone to contribute \- 9:45 pm Tidy up room \- 10:00 pm Hard stop \! **Please bring a laptop, as these are hands-on build sessions.** Just think of a laptop as a robot without wheels or legs ! If you are a newcomer to Machine Learning or robotics, you are still very welcome. If you do have a robot, please bring it along !

Yes, we meet in person, with a real breakfast in a professional meeting space with an adjoining cafe. Each week we feature one of our 20+ core members telling us more about their business. *** Come along and meet our group of small business owners dedicated to growing each others' businesses through referrals and support and see how we can help your business grow too. We meet live at **268 Canterbury Road Surrey Hills** (Ground floor of Our HQ, entrance off Redvers Street with street parking) every Tuesday from 7am until 8.30am with networking opportunities after the meeting. You can come twice as a guest before being asked to join as a full, fee-paying member and share in the referral and broader networking advantages of our strong group. This could be a great opportunity that suits your business, but you won't know until you try it. We make networking and growing your business easy and effective. More importantly, we provide a friendly and supportive experience while still keeping ourselves accountable to deliver the results we all need. Membership is by application and restricted to only one member for any category. Our friendly members will make you welcome. If you have any questions you can direct them to one of our leadership team: Chair (Jennifer Saunders - admin@websitewarriors.com.au) Guest Host ( Mike McNamara - mike@strategicbuyersagents.com.au ) You can also go to our website: https://businessreferrers.com.au/ and register as a guest

Meditationn

Good Vibrancy is a simple 45-minute routine for universal love based on the world's great spiritual traditions - adapted to optimise for freedom, abundance and prosperity. It is based on the unique personal practice I have developed doing approximately 1,000 hours of self-directed meditation in recent years (and many more hours of contemplation). \*\*\*\*\* **7.30am: Good Vibrancy (45-min)** The morning routine is done standing up and is a sequence of 6 parts: **1\. Spirit Breathing** \- 5 minutes of moving breath\-work for inspiration \- Balance yin\-yang\, asking\-receiving **2\. Active Sensation** \- 10 minutes of mindful movement for grace \- Develop effortless confidence and presence **3\. Heart Invocation** \- 10 minutes of compassion and gratitude \(\+ optional prayer\) \- Open your heart to giving generously and appreciating what you have **4\. Attentive Release** \- 10 minutes of standing meditation with letting go \- Let your mind settle\, grounding itself in a neutral posture **5\. Life Visualisation** \- 5\-10 minutes visualising the past \(story\) and future \(script\) \- Feel that your past is in fact perfect just as it was and your destined success is drawing you effortlessly in closer each day **6\. Energy Sublimation** \- 5\-10 minutes of energy\-work \- Invoke divine inspiration and connect with your inner king/queen \*\*\*\*\* **8.15am: Quick Coffee/Breakfast at KereKere Green (optional)** At around 8.15am we will finish the practice. Part of the reason for meeting in-real-life in a park as a group is to meet other people and get off the computer screens etc! That's why we invite people to have a quick 15-min coffee and chat at the nearby cafe (KereKere Green). \*\*\*\*\* Our Melbourne community connects in person to do the practice and have brunch on the weekend... \- South Melbourne beach on Saturdays 10am \- Yarra Bend forest on Sundays 10am

A mix of dance classes, connections & laughter! We love offering a diverse range of moves to keep things fresh and exciting, and it’s always amazing to see our dance community connecting on and off the dance floor. It’s all about coming together, learning, and having fun! Brighton Beach Bowls Club 2B South Rd Brighton 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm Beginner & Intermediate levels $25 CASH or PAYID

From $25. Ask for Angelique.

Hi everyone, I am so happy to announce our very first event for **Simple AI: Practical Tools for Life and Work (Melbourne)**. We already have 20 members in this group, which is a fantastic start! I started this community because I am passionate about making AI easy for everyone. I hate jargon and I love seeing people save time. For our first session, we are keeping it simple. This is an online "Big Picture" chat to set the stage for everything we will do together in 2026. **What we will talk about:** * What AI actually is (the plain English version). * Why I believe these tools are so useful for our daily lives and work. * A look at our roadmap, including future hands on workshops like prompt engineering and our monthly in person news meetups here in Melbourne. * A chance for you to ask anything and tell me what you want to learn. **How to join us:** This is a free online event. To help me manage the numbers and send you the calendar invite, please register via the Eventbrite link below: **Register here:** [https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/simple-ai-a-relaxed-intro-to-what-it-actually-means-for-you-tickets-1978944340795?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/simple-ai-a-relaxed-intro-to-what-it-actually-means-for-you-tickets-1978944340795?aff=oddtdtcreator) **Join here:**[ https://meet.google.com/cce-dgdb-jht](https://meet.google.com/cce-dgdb-jht) **Event Details:** * **When:** Tuesday, 13 January 2026 * **Time:** 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM AEDT * **Where:** Online via Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/cce-dgdb-jht I really want this to be a helpful, welcoming space for you. Whether you are a total beginner or just curious, you are very welcome to join the conversation. I look forward to meeting you all online soon! John

Join us for a planned group run covering a total distance of 5 km. The session will begin with a structured warm-up, followed by the run, and will conclude with cool-down stretching. During the run, we will make TWO short stops for light functional exercises and movement drills. These breaks are designed to keep the run engaging and suitable for a range of fitness levels and social. 📍 Meetup location: Pinned on the map 🚶 Public safety & courtesy: We will keep left while running and remain mindful of pedestrians at all times. This is a shared public space, and we respect everyone using the pathway. Please arrive a few minutes early so we can start on time. Looking forward to running together. Note: if meetup doesn't allow you to rsvp, you can still join, come straight to the meetup point on time.

**Register now to attend! =>** [https://konfhub.com/ksug-au-2026-01-14](https://konfhub.com/ksug-au-2026-01-14) **<=** **Latest promotions** discovered by our community! * **30%** off [Linux Foundation](https://ksug.ai/?ref=meet) Certs using code **30K8SUG** * Up to **30%** OFF popular [Books](https://ksug.ai/books/?ref=meet) and [Events](https://ksug.ai/events/?ref=meet) We're excited to welcome you to the upcoming **KSUG.AI Australia Meetup** — happening both in-person at at Amazon and online via [Zoom](https://linktr.ee/ksug.ai)! 🎉 We're actively seeking more awesome AI topic speakers! 👉 [https://speaker.ksug.ai](https://speaker.ksug.ai) **Agenda and topics preview:** * Food, drinks and Socializing * Welcome / Introductions by the Organizers @**[KSUG.AI](https://ksug.ai/?ref=meet)** * **Topic 1:** **TBC AWS re:Invent re:Cap** * **Topic 2:** **TBC EKS + AI update** * **Quiz time:** nice swags giveaways Food and drinks will be provided between **5.30 and 6 pm** on a first-come, first-served basis. This is a great opportunity to learn and network with our peers. Thanks to our sponsors @**[Amazon](https://aws.com/)**, @**[KodeKloud](https://kodekloud.com/k8sug)**! **[Register here](https://konfhub.com/ksug-au-2026-01-14) to secure your spot!** See you all there! **Location:** Amazon MEL12, Level 13.304 [555 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Kbi13GZqj2zDqDz2A) Join **[#Discord](https://discord.com/invite/Rp9WzYyKua)** for latest update 👉 [https://discord.com/invite/Rp9WzYyKua](https://discord.com/invite/Rp9WzYyKua) 🔖 𝐎𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬: ☸ 30% OFF **[Kubernetes](https://lf.ksug.ai/)** Certs - Code: **30K8SUG** ☸ 37% OFF **[KodeKloud](https://ksug.ai/kk/?ref=meet)** Plans - Code: **K8SUGKK** 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐖𝐞 𝐃𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬: ✅ Learn 𝐅𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 ⚡ ✅ Certify 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑 💰 ✅ Grow 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 💪 𝟏𝟖𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎+ follow **[KSUG.AI](https://ksug.ai/?ref=meet)** 🔥 [linktr.ee/ksug.ai](https://linktr.ee/ksug.ai) *By registering, you consent to the management of your personal information in accordance with KSUG.AI Meetup's [Privacy Policy](https://k8sug.ai/privacy). Additionally, you agree that our sponsors may contact you.* **[KSUG.AI](https://ksug.ai/?ref=meet)** is an independent community and not affiliated with or endorsed by CNCF. Kubernetes, K8s, Kubestronaut are registered trademarks of The Linux Foundation.

**Cut Through the AI Hype: What’s Really Helping Software Engineers Build Better, Faster** Tired of the noise around AI and ready to see what’s actually driving impact? Join us for a deep dive into the latest global research on how AI is (and isn’t) helping software engineers ship higher-quality software at speed. **Vivek**, former Lead Data Scientist and founding team member at **Multitudes**, will unpack insights from their global **AI Impact Survey** — revealing where teams are finding real productivity gains and where the hype doesn’t hold up. At Multitudes, Vivek led the company’s Data and AI strategy, creating analytics tools that help teams perform better and work happier. He’s recently spoken at LAST Conf, holds a PhD in Optimisation via Quantum Computing, and is passionate about data-driven approaches to meaningful change.

AWS re:Invent is Amazon Web Services’ flagship global technology conference, held annually in Las Vegas since 2012. Every year, the most critical updates and shifts around Kubernetes, Amazon EKS, and AI are first discussed, debated, validated, and refined at re:Invent — shaping technology decisions for years to come. This is not just another tech conference. It is where engineers, architects, and AWS core teams collectively define the future direction of cloud technology. Many AWS technologies are officially announced for the very first time at re:Invent. And just recently, AWS re:Invent has concluded in the US. From AWS re:Invent to Melbourne Bringing Global Cloud Insights to the Local Tech Community Shortly after re:Invent wrapped up, JR Academy is bringing first-hand insights from the global cloud stage directly to Melbourne. At this critical moment, JR Academy, together with KSUG, is hosting an in-person technical meetup to share real observations and discussions straight from the conference floor. This is not a replay or summary of re:Invent sessions. It’s a focused exchange that brings key global cloud judgments back to the local engineering community. Not a “Re-cap”, but a Deep Technical Exchange What engineers bring back from AWS re:Invent is rarely just slide decks. More often, it’s: Which EKS and AI directions were repeatedly discussed on-site Which technologies looked promising, yet sparked real debate among engineers How personal technical judgments and engineering thinking evolve after high-density information exposure These insights are difficult to fully capture through live streams, blogs, or recap articles — yet they are often the most valuable inputs for real-world technical decisions. JR Academy hopes to open these discussions to more engineers. **Event Focus** 🔹 First-hand perspectives from [AWS](https://aws.amazon.com) re:Invent Participants who attended re:Invent in person will share what they saw, heard, and felt — beyond what appeared in keynotes. 🔹 Amazon EKS & Kubernetes topics Exploring changes in platform capabilities, architecture design, and engineering practices, and discussing the next phase of Kubernetes within the AWS ecosystem. 🔹 AI insights & emerging trends Practical takeaways and new signals around AI from the conference. **Event Perks** 🎯 Food & drinks available from 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM (first come, first served) 🧃 Open networking & face-to-face technical discussions **Registration Notes** ⚠️ Amazon Office security requirements: Photo ID required (Passport or Driver’s License) Registration must be under your real name Thank you for your understanding. **Event Details** 📍 Location Amazon MEL12, Level 13 304/555 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000 🕠 Time January 14, 2025 — 6:00 PM (Melbourne time) 🎯 How to Register Click “Attend” on the right to secure your spot. 📍 Technical Community Discussion After registration, please contact JR Academy (Xiao Hua) to join the group for deeper technical discussions. Why JR Academy Keeps Doing This At JR Academy, we believe the real gap between engineers is not just about mastering individual tools — but about building independent understanding and judgment at the very beginning of change. Not everyone can attend AWS re:Invent in person. But the key insights it generates deserve to be heard as early as possible. That’s exactly why we bring it to you. **🤝 Acknowledgements** AWS Melbourne Office — Venue support [KSUG](https://ksug.ai/) — Global AI & Cloud-Native Community

## **Social Threads x Kismetrix** [(Ticked Event)](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/jan-18-understanding-social-connection-social-threads-x-kismetrix-tickets-1980147414220?aff=oddtdtcreator) ### **Understanding Social Connection** **📅 Sunday 18 January 2026** **⏰ 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM** **📍 RYVE, Level 1, 38 Shafton St, Huntingdale VIC 3166** **🍹 Light refreshments included** ### Feel more connected… without awkward small talk In a world of dating apps, surface-level conversations and busy lives, many people feel disconnected — even when they’re around others. **Understanding Social Connection** is a highly interactive, facilitated workshop designed to help you experience what real, meaningful connection actually feels like. This workshop is **facilitated by Social Threads** and **hosted by Kismetrix**. ### This is not a lecture **This is a guided, human experience** You won’t be sitting and listening. You’ll be: * having real conversations * meeting people one-to-one * learning about yourself * and feeling genuinely connected The workshop is designed around **conversation, not theory** — so instead of being talked at, you’ll take part in meaningful discussions and simple, practical exercises that show you how connection is built in real life. ### What you’ll explore Through guided activities and reflection, you’ll discover: * how genuine connection is formed * how emotional intelligence (EQ) shows up in relationships * how you come across when meeting new people * what makes others feel safe, seen and drawn to you You’ll rotate through **one-to-one partnered conversations**, allowing you to connect with a wide range of people in a relaxed, supported way. ### What you’ll leave with The session ends with a **facilitated group conversation** that brings together the insights, patterns and learnings from the room — giving you **practical tools you can use** in dating, friendships, work and everyday life. ### This workshop is for you if you: * feel tired of shallow conversations * want more meaningful relationships * feel awkward or unsure when meeting new people * are curious about how you relate to others * value emotional intelligence and personal growth You do **not** need to be single. You do **not** need to be outgoing. You just need to be open. ### Tickets - [BOOK HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/jan-18-understanding-social-connection-social-threads-x-kismetrix-tickets-1980147414220?aff=oddtdtcreator) 🎟 **Early Commitment** — $69 *(limited)* 🎟 **Standard / Last-Minute** — $99 Limited capacity to keep the space safe and high quality. Light refreshments included. ## **🔗 Stay Connected with Kismetrix \| True Connection** Love this event? We run a variety of experiences to help people meet and connect in meaningful ways. 📧 **s[ocial@kismetrix.com.au](mailto:ocial@kismetrix.com.au "mailto:ocial@kismetrix.com.au")** 🌐 **[www.kismetrix.com.au](http://www.kismetrix.com.au "http://www.kismetrix.com.au")** 📱 Follow us on **[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/kismetrix_/ "https://www.instagram.com/kismetrix_/"), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559826808523 "https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559826808523") & [Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/kismetrix-singles-events-84848288353 "https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/kismetrix-singles-events-84848288353")** 🤝 Collaborations: **[collabs@kismetrix.com.au](mailto:collabs@kismetrix.com.au "mailto:collabs@kismetrix.com.au")** 📄 **Important Notice:**By registering for this event\, you confirm that you have read and agree to Kismetrix \| True Connection’s[ Terms & Conditions](https://www.kismetrix.com.au/terms-and-conditions-2/ "https://www.kismetrix.com.au/terms-and-conditions-2/"),[ Privacy Policy](https://www.kismetrix.com.au/privacy-policy/ "https://www.kismetrix.com.au/privacy-policy/"),[ Disclaimer](https://www.kismetrix.com.au/disclaimer/ "https://www.kismetrix.com.au/disclaimer/") and [Code of Conduct](https://www.kismetrix.com.au/code-of-conduct/ "https://www.kismetrix.com.au/code-of-conduct/").Some events may be non-refundable as stated in their individual descriptions.

Visitors and newcomers are very welcome, please see https://hackmelbourne.com/newcomer-faq/ for more details. COVIDSafe restrictions are also in place, please see https://hackmelbourne.com/covid-19-restrictions/ for the latest. Short walk from Glenferrie train station. Car parking at Hawthorn town hall. Bring a laptop and a project you are working on. There is also a number of group projects that you are welcome to join in. We have starter kits for Arduino, a couple of 3D printers, various tools and equipment available for use. Typically our sessions run from 6:45pm till later in the evening (depending on our members' availability to close) but if you're new please come early.

**Inflow 6:00 PM - Talks Start \~6:30 PM** **Reston Community Center - 2310 Colts Neck Rd, Reston, VA 20191** NoVA Hackers is a group located in the Northern Virginia area and is made up of Information Security Professionals from all walks of life, from government and private sector, to students and beginners. The monthly meetings are held much like a mini-conference with 4-8 speakers and only a few basic but strict rules. Participation and Permission Active Participation is required for continued membership and is the only due required. Permission is required to be obtained from anyone providing information to the group from the person providing it to be made public by anyone other than the provider. Historically our talks generally run a bit late and we have a hard stop at 9:30pm for the room. If you want to socialize we recommend you arrive at 6 to meet and greet before the talks. Agendas and remote meeting option available after you join the group.

Ready for the **FIRST Loudoun CyberTech Event of 2026** \- featuring the **Loudoun County CISO**?!?! Join us on **Tuesday, January 13, 2026,** at **Honor Brewing Company** at **42604 Trade West Dr, Sterling, VA 20166**! Want a custom name tag to enhance your networking opportunities? Register here and yours will be ready at the door: https://share.hsforms.com/1J8_8W2-vSe2WSqQbnxxz0Adwxz1 Are you prepared for what cyber threats will define 2026? Which ones matter and which should be ignored? What does modernization look like in 2026 at the intersection of risk, cost, and security? Join us for an exciting evening with the **Loudoun County CISO** and our spotlight speaker, **Dr. Elizabeth Di Bene**, as she explores these questions and addresses what to expect in cyber in 2026! **Dr. Elizabeth Di Bene** is the **CISO** for **Loudoun County Government,** overseeing information security strategies with a focus on risk management, data analytics, and SaaS. She brings more than 20 years of cyber leadership experience across the federal government and private sector, including roles at **CACI International,** **the U.S. Department of Justice,** and the **U.S. Marine Corps** where she also served in cyber leadership roles at **Marine Corps System Command**. Dr. Di Bene is nationally recognized for her expertise in network and information security and is a frequent industry speaker and FinOps ambassador. Join us next month to meet **Dr. Elizabeth Di Bene** to learn what should matter most for cyber in 2026! **Agenda** 5:30 Social hour and networking begins 6:10 Welcome 6:20 Spotlight Speaker - **Dr. Elizabeth Di Bene** 6:50 Q&A 7:00 Open Mic & Networking Continues 7:30 Adjourn

**Inflow 6:00 PM - Talks Start \~6:30 PM** **Reston Community Center - 2310 Colts Neck Rd, Reston, VA 20191** NoVA Hackers is a group located in the Northern Virginia area and is made up of Information Security Professionals from all walks of life, from government and private sector, to students and beginners. The monthly meetings are held much like a mini-conference with 4-8 speakers and only a few basic but strict rules. Participation and Permission Active Participation is required for continued membership and is the only due required. Permission is required to be obtained from anyone providing information to the group from the person providing it to be made public by anyone other than the provider. Historically our talks generally run a bit late and we have a hard stop at 9:30pm for the room. If you want to socialize we recommend you arrive at 6 to meet and greet before the talks. Agendas and remote meeting option available after you join the group.

Looking to level up your cybersecurity skills in a low-pressure, beginner-friendly environment? Join us for a casual co-hacking session where everyone works on **their own Hack The Box or Capture The Flag-style labs**, but we learn *together*. This is **not** a formal class or presentation. Instead, bring your laptop, grab a coffee, and make progress on whatever you're working on. If you get stuck, feel free to ask someone nearby — and if you have a tip or trick to share, jump in! The goal is to create a collaborative, welcoming space for learners of all experience levels. ### What to Expect * Work independently on your own Hack The Box labs, walkthroughs, or practice machines * Ask questions and share solutions when you want — no pressure * Meet other people interested in cybersecurity, hacking, and problem-solving * Beginners, intermediate learners, and experienced practitioners all welcome ### ☕ Location **Layered (Coffee Shop)** Comfortable seating, reliable Wi-Fi, and good vibes for hacking time. Please purchase and enjoy a drink or treat to support the venue. ### ✔ What to Bring * Laptop * Hack The Box account ([sign up here](https://www.hackthebox.com/hacker/hacking-labs), they offer a number of free labs) or other practice platform

Come join us at Nova Labs for our monthly lockpicking meeting! We meet every third Wednesday at the Nova Labs Fairfax location at 3850 Jermantown Road. Learn about locks, lockpicking, lock modifications, and even lock smithing in our classroom environment. No tools, skills, or knowledge required, but feel free to bring any of those things with you! Our meetings are overseen by one or more locksmiths.

Gaming, AdTech, EdTech, Media Streaming, and FinTech are just a few of the workloads where high-availability cloud infrastructure matters. Whether you’re doing battle daily in one of these spaces or are just curious about ways to improve performance, meet us in Reston for an in-person discussion on bare metal cloud architecture. You’ll meet our product lead, James MacKenzie, who will walk through how modern bare metal serves as a control plane for hybrid and private cloud architectures. **What we will cover** * Ways to leverage bare metal, containers, and orchestration for better performance and predictable economics; * Real-world hybrid, disaster recovery, and data-intensive architectures; * Our approach to eliminating ingress and egress fees. **Who should attend** * Cloud architects and platform engineers; * DevOps professionals and infrastructure leads; * FinOps stakeholders managing data-heavy or hybrid workloads. **Why attend** This is a technical, architecture-first conversation. You will leave with a clearer understanding of high-availability cloud infrastructure and how organizations are scaling cost-effectively. Food and drinks will be provided. Space is limited to keep the discussion interactive.

Attendance is $35 (cash, credit/debit card, or ApplePay - paid at the door), which includes water/soda/coffee, bread, choice of a plated lunch entrée, and a dessert assortment. Parking is also validated in the Reston Station garages (3 hours of validation). Join one of Northern Virginia's most successful business networking groups (part of BNI). Open to the public and is typically attended by business owners, business developers, and entrepreneurs. Meetings are typically attended by 30-40 members and guests. \*\*\*PLEASE RSVP here: [REGISTER HERE](https://square.link/u/0WvC6Eir) \*\*\*If you do not register on the BNI website, there may not be a seat available for you.