Paul Litherland: From Adversity to Cybersecurity Advocacy

In this episode of Stories of Us, host Sarah Grynberg interviews Paul Litherland, a former police officer from Western Australia who has transitioned into a role as a Cybersecurity Advocate. Paul's upbringing in Albany, Western Australia, exposed him to the harsh realities of domestic violence within his own family. His life took a significant turn after a severe car accident, resulting in profound injuries that reshaped his life trajectory. This event compelled Paul to confront his physical limitations and reassess his life's direction, eventually leading him to find purpose in the field of cybersecurity. Through his journey, Paul has become a vocal advocate for societal change, particularly in addressing issues of online abuse, especially among vulnerable children. Drawing from personal experiences and professional expertise, he highlights the prevalence of cyberbullying, online scams, and sextortion targeting young individuals. Paul stresses the importance of parental guidance and digital literacy in protecting children from digital threats and advocates for proactive measures in both familial and educational settings to create a safer online environment. Paul's candid reflections and passionate advocacy offer valuable insights into the intersection of technology, society, and personal resilience. If you want to hear another inspiring story from Western Australia - the remarkable Curtis McGrath, a former soldier who will be captaining Australia at the Paris Paralympic games this year. You can find his episode of Stories of Us here... https://listnr.com/podcasts/stories-of-us/episodes/paralympian-curtis-mcgrath-on-the-explosion-that-l?utm_source=listnr&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=internal_share&utm_content=f7657954-164a-4388-b6ef-e53c17109df6%3Bed240b88-28f1-43b4-ac4f-b10d016ffdc9See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.