Where does the name ORCA come from?
Even the company's name has deeper meaning.
"In Native American cultures, the orca whale is the harbinger of the sea - they protect those in need but attack if they feel threatened," Giudes explained.
"That symbolism really spoke to us, because ORCA Opti protects organisations while helping them respond swiftly if something goes wrong."
Automating compliance and defence
The platform uses AI to simplify cybersecurity and operational compliance.
"Our critical differentiator is that we automate the operations and make sure they're conformed to whatever standard an organisation needs," Giudes said. "All someone needs to do is interface with the ORCA Opti assistant and it can make those changes on their behalf."
ORCA Opti is already being used by clients in the defence sector to meet strict security standards.
"We have multiple customers that use ORCA Opti to automate their defence and provide controls and proof that they're adhering to the Essential Eight," Giudes said. "If an incident comes up, ORCA enables them to manage it very quickly and effectively."
Rather than spending days chasing evidence, users can "just ask Opti Assist to run that conformance report for you," she added. "It'll even tell you where to go to get a screenshot of the evidence."
Cybersecurity in minutes, not hours
Beyond defence, ORCA Opti's automation is transforming everyday workflows - from onboarding staff to revoking access when someone leaves.
"As long as you have access in that environment, Opti can do it on your behalf in minutes instead of hours," Giudes said. "It can also ensure that new employees are added to the right groups, or remove access when someone departs."
Fully integrated with Microsoft environments, it can send reminders through Outlook, Planner or even SMS. "It's about choice and flexibility," she explained.
Overconfidence and fear
Giudes believes most organisations misunderstand cybersecurity. "Some are overconfident, others are afraid," she said. "People think hiring competent staff is enough - but everybody makes mistakes."
She argues that human oversight alone can't keep up with evolving threats. "Competent people might still say, 'we need a tool to manage this well', because no one can be there 24/7," she said.
When it comes to artificial intelligence, Giudes sees both opportunity and danger. "AI is the next iteration of data processing, but privacy isn't being managed well in current implementations," she warned.
She recalled speaking to a financial planner who used ChatGPT to draft a statement of advice. "They didn't realise that by putting their client's data into GPT-3.5, it was then used to train GPT-4. That means the client's information became part of the model," she said. "Just because we can do something doesn't mean we should. Like driving a car - you stay on the road for a reason."
Balancing governance with innovation
For Giudes, automation doesn't stifle innovation - it enables it. "With the proper guardrails, we actually create more time for innovation," she said. "Once the tactical work that used to take up hours is automated, teams can think proactively about culture, customers and creativity."
Breaking barriers in tech
Giudes knows firsthand what it's like to be the only woman in the room.
"At Microsoft, I was the only female developer on my floor - I didn't even bother closing the stall door in the women's bathroom because no one else used it," she recalled. "One day another woman walked in, and we both screamed."
Giudes admitted she tried to "fit in" by dressing down but later found that authenticity mattered more.
"When I started showing up as myself, people listened," she said. "Not because of how I looked, but because I was confident and grounded in what I was saying."
Her message to young professionals, especially women, entering cybersecurity is clear: "Don't let anyone make you feel inferior. Cybersecurity is about being inquisitive and asking questions. We need more systems thinkers, and women bring a valuable perspective on safety."
What's next for ORCA Opti?
When discussing the near future, Giudes revealed two major collaborations.
"We've got joint development programs with organisations in the medical and logistics sectors," she said. "We're building products that meet their regulatory and privacy requirements incredibly well - it's going to be a game changer."
Her mission extends beyond enterprise clients to small businesses, which are often hardest hit by cyberattacks.
"About 62% of small and medium businesses have experienced a cyber attack," she noted. "The average cost is around AUD $67,000 to $75,000 - and about 70% of those businesses don't exist 12 months after a cyber incident."
For those companies, ORCA Opti offers a lifeline.
"It's critical for small businesses to find a solution that actually works," Giudes said. "We've priced ORCA Opti so those organisations can afford it."
Ultimately, her goal is to make AI a tool of empowerment, not risk. "If you need AI that helps you innovate at speed while preserving trust," she said, "we'd love to show you how ORCA Opti can make that happen."