Hayley Van Loon is the CEO of Crime Stoppers International and has nearly 20 years of experience in intelligence and protective security across Australia, the USA, and international arenas.

At Crime Stoppers International, she leads a global network spanning 33 countries, tackling transnational organised crime and its links to financial crime, child exploitation, wildlife trafficking, online harm, narcotics, illicit tobacco, and trafficking in people. She works closely with governments, law enforcement, and the private sector to build partnerships that improve public safety and provide trusted, anonymous reporting channels worldwide. Hayley also contributes to global policy and strategy as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Coalition for Digital Safety and the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime.

Alongside her work at Crime Stoppers, Hayley is the founder of Magnolia Intelligence and co-founder of ShadowIQ, a travel safety app that delivers AI-enhanced threat intelligence at the intersection of geopolitical analysis, open-source monitoring, and cybersecurity. Through these ventures, she is also bringing cutting-edge vetting tools to Australia, helping organisations strengthen resilience and make more informed, intelligence-led decisions.

In 2024, Hayley was awarded the David Irvine AO Award for her contribution to intelligence in Australia, and in 2025, she received the Women in Security Award for Most Outstanding in Protective Security.

Session Description

Physical Penetration Testing of U.S. Energy Networks, a Case Study on Economic Espionage Simulation

This session presents a real-world case study of a simulated economic espionage attack against a U.S. Independent System Operator (ISO). Using the CARVER methodology, the operation tested the resilience of critical infrastructure security through covert infiltration tactics including social engineering, ID cloning, disguises, and device planting. The exercise exposed significant vulnerabilities in employee awareness, access controls, and physical security measures, demonstrating how human factors can undermine technical safeguards. Attendees will gain insights into the methodology, execution, outcomes, and lessons learned, along with practical recommendations for strengthening defenses against espionage and insider threats.