The Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate, Mike Burgess, has unloaded on technology hype mongers, warning IT security practitioners and businesses they need to think in one and five year cycles rather than "just the next product or service you will buy". In a frank and direct speech delivered to the SINET61 conference in Melbourne, Australia's chief cyber spook bluntly cautioned those charged with upholding cybersecurity should not be dazzled by shiny new concepts. Instead they should maintain a relentless focus on hygiene and knowing "what is important to your business and your customers." "Don't get caught up in the hype and excitement in this technology-enabled world. AI is a great example of this – peak hype comes to mind," Burgess said.