Before diving in, let me be clear—I’m not an expert. My background is in communications and exercise science, and I’m currently studying cybersecurity. I’m driven by curiosity, and this piece reflects my observations and questions rather than definitive answers. I recognise there are amazing people doing incredible work in the security space – this is just an exploration based on recent events in Australia.
In boxing, the Philly Shell is a defensive technique that combines protection with readiness to strike back. It shields against attacks, minimising vulnerabilities while positioning the fighter to exploit openings and counter effectively. Reflecting on Australia’s current security posture, the parallels are striking. Are we using this approach to its full potential, balancing defence with the ability to go on the offensive when needed?
With a recent Five Eyes report triggering a public statement (issued for the first time in the alliance’s history) calling for a “whole society” response to counter the radicalisation of children, and off the back of some major cyber attacks in the last few years, I’m wondering: are we in a moment of recalibration, or are we still leaning on outdated approaches? Is this where the bright minds of security step up and use their voices, or is Australia still living with an island mentality—convinced that our geographically isolated physical shores will sure up our digital borders (and those of our powerful allies in the North)?
In August 2024, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) upgraded the National terrorism threat level to probable. Shortly before this, in July 2024, a reshuffle within the Home Affairs portfolio moved ASIO alongside the Australian Federal Police to improve intelligence sharing. While the intention was to strengthen national security, opinions remain divided on whether the changes delivered the intended results. With a Federal Election looming in 2025, much remains at stake.
In December 2024, ASIO released Five-Eyes Insights – Young People and Violent Extremism: A Call for Collective Action. The report highlighted concerning trends, including an increase in young people being drawn into extremist ideologies. Some as young as 12 years old have been investigated for terrorism-related offences, with 57% of these individuals charged. It’s disturbing to think about. The statement called for collective action from governments, tech companies, and the public. Interestingly, the statement emphasised that law enforcement alone cannot address this issue, and that by the time the issues reach law enforcement it was ‘too late’. It is a call to action—a rare and unprecedented move by the Five Eyes Alliance – to be proactive, collectively.
All of this got me thinking about the Philly Shell. If you ever watched Floyd Mayweather Jr. box, you saw this in action executed beautifully—so much so that Mayweather retired with a record of 50-0.
A defensive, elusive posture that literally uses the shoulder to roll punches off, the Philly Shell has been around since the 1950s. It’s a sideways stance; the rear hand protects the chin, and the lead hand is cloaked across the body—ready to counter. The lead shoulder becomes the “shell” and is elevated. A clever stance, as it minimises the attack zone, giving the opponent less surface area to strike, making clean shots difficult to land. However, there are ways to open up attacks—using feints to bait a counterpunch, applying pressure with combinations, and exploiting unprotected areas with angles and footwork.
Reflecting on Australia’s security posture, it feels like we are attempting something akin to the Philly Shell—but without the precision it demands. This technique requires balance and finesse to be effective. As Mayweather showed, when executed well, it’s virtually impenetrable; but when poorly applied, it exposes critical weaknesses and these vulnerabilities can be easily exploited by opponents.
Over the last few years cybercrime – including targeted attacks on critical infrastructure – has continued to rise in Australia. From the available data, it seems clear we are falling behind. Our shell isn’t protecting us or our allies as effectively as it could, leaving us exposed to growing threats.
One of the recurring themes during talks at CyberCon Melbourne was cyber literacy. The Australian Government has rolled out changes to social media access for young Australians and repeatedly references the need for “guardrails” around AI. But what are the actionable steps to improve digital and cyber literacy? How does the government intend to police platforms when tech companies have historically resisted efforts to collaborate? (See: 2016 US election, etc.) As the Five Eyes report states:
“Minors are ‘digital natives’—they have grown up online and are technologically savvy. Minors often use multiple platforms and applications for different purposes—some of these platforms, but not all, are of security concern.”
As with young people throughout history, they will find loopholes in bans and restrictions. The internet offers an incredible array of solutions, and community – even if it comes in the form of exposure to extremist material.
Perhaps it’s the competitor in me, or the optimist, or the lady-who-doth-ask-so-much—but I do think we can do better. If the goal is protection, why aren’t we addressing the root causes? Why are young Australians being radicalised? Why aren’t we proactively building digital literacy—not just for young people but for society as a whole?
The Philly Shell is effective because it balances defence and offence—guarding vulnerabilities while maintaining readiness to counter. Similarly, Australia’s security strategy must strike this balance. Without sufficient layers of protection—digital, physical, societal—threats can slip through the gaps. The Swiss cheese model comes to mind: no single defence layer is perfect, but when combined effectively, those layers provide robust protection.
As I think about this, I reflect on my own role as an aspiring cybersecurity professional. Where can I focus my energy to make a real impact? How can framing, messaging, and communication improve our collective resilience? These are questions I continue to explore, but they are not mine alone—this is a challenge for all of us to consider.
Further resources
For more information about understanding
radicalisation and where to go for support,
refer to the links below.
Living Safe Together is an Australian Government
initiative designed to protect and empower our
communities against all forms of violent extremism,
found at http://www.livingsafetogether.gov.au.
The website explains what violent extremism is,
how to recognise signs of violent extremism
and what you can do about it.
If you have witnessed or suspect terrorist activity,
call or email the 24/7 National Security Hotline on
1800 123 400 or hotline@nationalsecurity.gov.au
(for calls outside Australia use +61 1300 123 401).
All reports are handled confidentially and can be
made anonymously. In an emergency, call 000.
Seeline CYBER 
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