As cyber threats become more advanced, the need for strong leadership in cybersecurity is clearer than ever. Across Australia and New Zealand, cybersecurity leaders are on the front lines, protecting everything from financial systems to critical infrastructure. They are facing growing challenges as cybercriminals and state actors target key sectors, making their role in securing networks, strengthening resilience, and defending vital industries essential to our safety and economy.
Recognizing the importance of cybersecurity, the Australian government has pledged $15–$20 billion by 2033–34 to enhance the nation’s cyber capabilities, including strengthening offensive cyber operations through the REDSPICE program. This move highlights the growing recognition of cybersecurity’s critical role in safeguarding the country.
In this article, we spotlight the top 100 cybersecurity leaders in the ANZ region, individuals who are leading the charge to keep systems secure, shape policy, and create innovative solutions in the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity. Their expertise and efforts are vital in defending against digital threats and ensuring the resilience of our infrastructure.
The Role of Cybersecurity Leaders in ANZ Region
Cybersecurity leaders in the ANZ region play a multifaceted role, from securing critical infrastructure to leading innovative security strategies for organizations. Their efforts are not confined to internal risk management – they are also working collaboratively with both governments and private sectors to build stronger defenses against the ever-evolving threat landscape.
The cybersecurity leaders in the region spans various industries, from banking to healthcare, government, and beyond. These leaders are instrumental in creating frameworks, driving policy changes, and advancing the development of next-gen security technologies that can stay ahead of the curve when it comes to evolving threats.
Top 100 Cybersecurity Leaders in the ANZ Region
Here is a list of 100 cybersecurity leaders in the ANZ region who have made remarkable contributions to the field, helping secure organizations and drive policy change in the face of growing cyber threats:
| Name | Designation | Organization Name |
| Aaron Bailey | CISO | The Missing Link |
| Aaron McKeown | CISO | Vector Limited |
| Ad Wolst | Head of Cyber Security Engineering & Platform Services | Bupa |
| Adwin Singh | Cyber Security Domain Lead – CISO Office | Inland Revenue NZ |
| Akash Mittal | CISO | Sumitomo Forestry Australia |
| Alissa Maclean | Cyber Security Engineer Manager | Australian Red Cross Lifeblood |
| Alistair Vickers | CISO | Horizon Energy Group Limited |
| Dr. Amit Chaubey | CEO | NIAD Technologies |
| Anand Patil | Head of Cyber Security | Teladoc Health |
| Andy Tamara | Head of Security | humm group |
| Andy Pace | Network & Information Security Manager | MediaWorks NZ |
| Annie Hagar | Cyber Security Partner | Norton Rose Fulbright |
| Antonio (Tony) Lou | Cyber Security Manager | Bendigo Health |
| Anya Avinash | Head of Cybersecurity | Bank First |
| Arun Singh | ANZ Chief Information Security Officer | Zip Co |
| Babu Srinivas | Global Head – Cyber Competency & Digital Trust | BHP |
| Barney Rehfisch | IT Operations Manager | Nando’s Australia & New Zealand |
| Barry Anderson | Information Security Architecture, Strategy and Engineering Manager | HESTA |
| Bethwyn Berry | Head of Cybersecurity, PMO & Governance | Bluescope Australian Steel Products (ASP) at Bluescope |
| Callum Nelson | CISO | EBOS Group Limited |
| Charles Gonzalez | CISO | Metcash |
| Christopher Lowe | GM Cybersecurity | Ainsworth Game Technology |
| Cody Keeltka | CISO | Australian Payments Plus |
| Crispin Apsey | Cyber Security and Operations Manager | SecurePay |
| Dan Maslin | Global Chief Information Security Officer | Monash University |
| Dane Maslen | CISO | Kami |
| Mohammad Arif | Head of Information Security (CISO) | Guild Group |
| Darren Kane | CISO | nbn® Australia |
| David Geber | General Manager Information Security & Risk | REST |
| Dean Kastelic | Security Advisor / vCISO | Bapcor Limited |
| Doug Hammond | Chief Information Security Officer | Uniting Care |
| Edmond Loza | Group Manager – Cyber Security | Workwear Group |
| Eshan Dissanayake | CISO | Officeworks |
| Fred Hadad | Chief Information Security Officer | Excite Cyber |
| Fred Thiele | CISO | Interactive |
| Garry Bentlin | Group CISO | Nine |
| George Abraham | Chief Information Security Officer | Frontier Software |
| Grant Anthony | CISO | Orion Health |
| Hari Jegatheeswaran | Australian CISO & Head of APAC Cyber Operations | Deloitte Australia |
| Harsh Busa | CISO | Avant Mutual |
| Ivan Dobay | Senior Cybersecurity Risk and Governance Partner | ANSTO |
| James Ng | General Manager – Cyber Security (CISO) | Insignia Financial |
| Jeff Whitton | Founder | Yirigga |
| Jeremy Koster | CISO | Transgrid |
| Johann Blignaut | Head of Group IT Cyber & Data Protection | Crown Resorts |
| John Ooi | CISO | Australian Unity |
| Kapil Yewale | Head of Cybersecurity | Clearview |
| Kevin O Sullivan | Acting Chief Solutions Officer/ Head of Cyber & Information Security | Kinetic IT |
| Kirk Stephen | Head of Cyber Security | Baby Bunting |
| Lee Barney | CISO | TPG Telecom |
| Leron Zinatullin | Chief Information Security Officer | Linkly Group |
| Liam Connolly | CISO | SEEK |
| Louisa Vogelenzang | Head of Cybersecurity Asia Pacific & Japan (APJ) | BISO | Senior Director | Dayforce |
| Lukasz Gogolkiewicz | Head of Cyber Security | Accent Group Limited |
| Luke E | Cyber Security Defense Lead | Bunnings |
| Mackenzie Muir | CISO | Allianz Australia |
| Manasseh Paradesi | CISO | Tyro Payments |
| Mario Ellaz | CISO | AusNet |
| Mark Leighton | CISO | Aurecon |
| Mark Haldane | Head of Cyber Defence | Coles Group |
| Mark Spadafora | Chief Technology Officer | National Cyber Security Centre |
| Mazino Onibere | Head of Cyber Security, Risk and Compliance | Regis Aged Care |
| Mohan Swamy | Cyber Security Manger / leader | Pacific Blue Australia |
| Neha Sharma | CISO | The Star Entertainment Group |
| Nidhin Tamil | Chief Information Security Officer | Boral |
| Nigel Hedges | General Manager – IT Security Risk & Compliance (CISO) | Chemist Warehouse |
| Jean-Baptiste B. | CISO / Director of Technology – Security, Risk & Compliance | AMP |
| Peeyush Khare | Head of Cyber Security Practice – APAC | Tech Mahindra |
| Pieter van der Merwe | CISO | Woolworths Group |
| Pritam Rakshit | CISO | Cuscal Limited |
| Richard Watson | Global & Asia-Pacific Cybersecurity Consulting Leader | EY |
| Robert Turney | CISO | auDA – .au Domain Administration Ltd. |
| Robert Veres | CISO | Colonial First State |
| Roxanne (R) Pashaei | CISO | NSW Rural Fire Service |
| Sam Fariborz | CISO | David Jones |
| Sam Conde | Head of IT – Security | Dyson Group of Companies |
| Samrat Seal | Group Manager – Cyber Security | Kmart Australia Limited |
| Sanja Marais | Chief Technology and Security Office | Aspen Medical |
| Santanu Laudh | Chief Information Security Officer | OFX |
| Sara Abak | CISO | Intellihub Group |
| Serkan Tek | Infrastructure & Information Security Team Leader | Premiere Retail |
| Shane Marquis | Manager Cyber Security Architecture | Asahi |
| Shannon Remedio | Cyber Tech Engineering Lead | Bupa |
| Sourish Datta | CISO | Victorian Government |
| Stefan Sherkat | CISO | Reece Group |
| Stephen Bennett | Global Chief Information Security Officer | Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Limited |
| Steven Rebello | CISO | Endeavour Group |
| Sunil Saale | Chief Information Security Officer | MinterEllison |
| Tara Dharnikota | Head of Information Security Management | PEXA |
| Terry Reidy | Associate Director Cybersecurity Operations and Capability | University of Melbourne |
| Tharaka Perera | Head of Information Security | Estia Health Ltd |
| Tharusha Udugama | Cybersecurity Manager | HPX Group |
| Tim Litton Acharya | CIO | SafetyCulture |
| Varun Balakrishnan | CISO | Healthscope |
| Venkat Krishnan | CISO | TAL Australia |
| Vijay Krishnan | CISO | UniSuper |
| Vijay Narayanan | CISO | Mercy Health Australia |
| Vishal Kumar Gupta | Global IT Security Governance and Risk Lead | Hansen Technologies |
| Vishwanath Nair | Head Cyber Risk & Compliance (CISO) | BaptistCare |
| Will Sharpe | CISO | Telstra Health |
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