We're Building a Different Approach to Banking Security

Started in 2021, cyralithen exists because banks kept hiring people who didn't understand how digital threats actually work. We teach the practical side of financial security.

Banking security training session with participants reviewing authentication protocols

How We Got Started

The idea came from watching too many qualified candidates struggle in security interviews because they memorized theory instead of understanding real-world application. Banks needed people who could spot a social engineering attempt or recognize when an API endpoint was leaking customer data.

So we built a program that teaches practical skills. Students learn by examining actual breach cases, not just reading about them. They practice incident response with scenarios pulled from recent Australian banking incidents. And they understand the regulatory environment because we walk through APRA requirements together.

Our approach doesn't promise instant expertise. Security knowledge develops through repetition and exposure. What we do is compress years of trial-and-error into focused months of guided practice.

What Guides Our Work

Honest About Limits

Security work involves continuous learning. We teach foundational skills and help students develop the judgment needed to keep improving after training ends.

Australian Context

Our curriculum reflects the specific regulatory and threat landscape of Australian banking. That includes local compliance requirements and region-specific attack patterns.

Industry Connections

We maintain relationships with security teams at Australian financial institutions. This keeps our training current and helps students understand what employers actually need.

Who Runs cyralithen

Callum Thornbury

Founder and Security Education Director

Before starting cyralithen, I spent eight years working in fraud prevention at two major Australian banks. That included building detection systems, investigating breaches, and training new security analysts.

What became clear was how poorly standard education prepared people for actual security work. Computer science degrees taught programming but not threat modeling. Certifications covered theory without practical application. Meanwhile, banks struggled to fill positions because candidates lacked hands-on experience.

cyralithen emerged from that gap. We focus on the practical skills banks need: recognizing attack patterns, responding to incidents, understanding regulatory requirements, and communicating security risks to non-technical stakeholders.

Our Focus for 2025 and Beyond

Digital banking threats keep evolving. Attackers refine their social engineering tactics. New payment systems introduce fresh vulnerabilities. Regulatory requirements expand. Security professionals need to keep pace.

We're developing additional curriculum modules throughout 2025 that address emerging threats in real-time transaction monitoring and API security. These aren't separate courses but integrated updates to our existing program.

Our next cohort begins in September 2025. Classes meet twice weekly for focused skill development over six months. Students work through practical exercises based on current threat scenarios affecting Australian financial institutions.

Explore Our Program

Financial security professionals analyzing transaction monitoring systems

Banking security workshop participants reviewing API authentication methods

Security training session covering incident response protocols for banking applications