Brad Watson

Bradley (Brad) is one of Australia’s leading crisis management experts, with deep, real‑world experience across cyber security, disaster recovery, and counterterrorism. He works closely with senior executives, CEOs, and Boards to design and facilitate tailored cyber security crisis management exercises that test decision‑making, leadership, and organisational resilience under pressure.

Following a 30‑year career spanning the Australian Army, the Australian Signals Directorate, the Australian Public Service, and the global private sector, Brad founded Akela Group in 2020. He now leads Akela’s business continuity, crisis management, and cyber security practices.

Brad is currently designing and facilitating cyber crisis management exercises for large and medium organisations across critical infrastructure, aviation, utilities, health, Federal and State Governments, and the private sector. His work ranges from one‑on‑one executive engagements through to whole‑of‑sector and multi‑jurisdictional exercises.

Brad has designed and delivered some of Australia’s largest and most technically complex cyber exercises, including multi‑day (up to 72‑hour) continuous simulations and concurrent exercises involving multiple countries. Notably, he has led national‑level exercises across the Asia‑Pacific, the “Four Eyes” nations, and the Australian aviation sector.

Brad holds a Master of Justice Studies (Strategic Intelligence) from QUT, has completed studies in Cryptography at Stanford University, and serves as a Board member of Cyber Security Champions of Tomorrow, supporting cyber capability development across more than 70 countries.