Getting/Arriving to what matters most

It has been a fantastic journey and a privilege to hold such a unique CISO role for Australia for so long. In my tenure I have been so fortunate to observe, participate and be trusted with many opportunities, from the changing cyber landscape where overnight the rules of the game or the technology we trusted can be turned upside down, to the diversity of what 泰雷兹 undertakes both domestically and globally, and to the incredible people I got to work with and the leaders who have supported me over the years.

If I had to reduce the reason I stayed in the role for so long to one thing, and what still gets me out of bed each day (are CISO’s allowed to sleep, I don’t remember?), it is the belief in the mission of “protect the nation”. I have a deep respect for those who don a uniform to protect our way of life, and have learnt so much of what that means and the sacrifices that are made to protect the people in our communities. I am incredibly proud of the small part I may have played at Thales to securely develop and produce the products and services that allow Defence to bring those people, who put their lives at risk to protect our way of life, to come home safely to their families and friends.

I have known for a while it was always going to be a special role that would make me want to hang up my CISO hat. While I could not describe what it looked like, I knew I would recognise it when I saw it. It should not then be a surprise that what I will be moving to has the same mission that has kept me energise for 21years as CISO for Thales Australia and New Zealand. The mission to “protect the nation”. However, I believe the new role will have a broader impact in conveying and living our purpose.

When Thales acquired Tesserent | Cyber Solutions by Thales 18 months ago, I saw the potential of what could be bought to the market with the impressive people and capabilities from Tesserent and backed by Thales. With Jacqui Kernot pivoting the organisation’s strategy after coming on board in November to lead Tesserent as a purpose driven cyber company, focused on “protecting the nation”. I believe we can provide something unique to Australia at a large scale. The cyber attacks are only going to be increasing in the coming years, and more of critical infrastructure and services will be the targeted to disrupt our way of life.

With Tesserent, I believe we can not only be a cyber company Australia needs, but a cyber company Australia deserves.

So, I‘m handing over this gem of a role and joining Jacqui and the Tesserent team with a focus on ensuring we are putting our customers and community at the centre of what we do. To become the trusted advocate, to ensure our engagements are aligned with the purpose we have set ourselves and seek thoughts on how we can improve our impact – for our customers and our nation in being the cyber company Australia deserves.

Thank you for all those who have supported me, uplifted me, and led me through my journey of a CISO for the last 21 years. To my family, my incredible cyber team at Thales, the Thales Australia Board and my colleagues and this community I am so passionate about.

Thank you.

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