CISO Advisor | vCISO & fCISO | Privacy Advocate | Communicator & Collaborator | Business <-> Technology Whisperer | Mentor
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Bach. Computer Science (UWS)
GIAC Strategic Planning Policy and Leadership (GSTRT)
ISC)2 CISSP, CCSP #618888
ISACA CISM, CDPSE #2051262
TOGAF 9 Certified #148445
Cisco CCIE #24150 – SP & DC
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Microsoft — Sydney, NSW. — April 2022 to Present
Senior Security Specialist (Senior Security Global Black Belt)
- As one of the Chief Security Advisor for the region, I am responsible for advising on all aspects of Microsoft Security and Zero Trust strategy across various industries. I engage with the C-Suite to have critical conversations about how our solutions can help their businesses thrive securely.
- In my role, I am leading the OT Security and Enterprise IoT Security strategy for the Asia region in FY23. My primary objective is to influence customers to adopt and use our Defender and Microsoft Security solutions to enhance their security posture.
- As a secondary role, I am also part of the Data Security and Compliance team, driving solutions and sales of Microsoft’s Purview product suite.
- As a member of the Executive Briefing Centre (EBC) Speaker team, I am involved in virtual or in-person briefings with executives to provide insights on our security solutions.
- I consult with CISO and C-Level executives at the business level to discuss the security risks posed by unmanaged OT and IoT devices in their environments.
- Building the business case to improve success rate and reduce time taken for commercial negotiations (support and coaching for: deal desk, empowerment, pricing strategies). Assisting to remove commercial blockers through with application of empowerments and existing promotional offers.
- High compete scenarios – GBBs can source and generate compete insights to deliver a strong value proposition.
- Executive briefing to customer leadership (security but not limited to) for strategic engagement across the Microsoft Security portfolio and platform.
Citrix Systems — Sydney, NSW. — Feb 2021 to March 2022
Security Principal – APJ
- As a seasoned field CISO consultant, I engage in cybersecurity discussions with customers to provide insights on the current landscape and offer roadmaps for compliance and risk management solutions based on Citrix’s suite of solutions.
- In my role, I effectively communicate Citrix’s Security, SASE, and Zero Trust strategy and architecture to key decision-makers, including CISO and C-Level executives of strategic customers and prospects.
- I am responsible for building and maintaining executive relationships with Sales, Customers, and Prospects. This involves identifying technology capabilities that align with customers’ business and security needs.
- In addition to executive relationships, I lead Marketing & GTM initiatives and organize customer & partner roundtable events to promote Citrix’s Security strategy across the solution suite.
- Over time, I have established myself as a trusted advisor to Security business decision makers across both prospects and customers, as well as Sales and SE teams.
- Working closely with Product Management, I provide intelligence on customer feedback, feature requests, and competitive analysis in similar spaces, ultimately helping to shape Citrix’s product roadmap.
Silver Lining Cyber Pty Ltd — Sydney, NSW. — June 2020 to Present
Owner & vCISO
As a highly experienced and results-driven virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO), I am well-equipped to provide expert guidance and support to organisations seeking to enhance their cybersecurity posture. With a proven track record of success in leading complex cybersecurity initiatives, I offer the following competencies:
- Providing strategic guidance and support to achieve regulatory compliance requirements.
- Identifying opportunities to enhance resource productivity and optimise task allocation.
- Establishing and implementing a comprehensive third-party cyber risk program.
- Performing thorough cyber risk assessments and effectively communicating risks in a quantitative manner to C-level decision makers.
- Reviewing and enhancing security awareness training programs.
- Developing and implementing a cybersecurity strategy that aligns with business priorities.
- Establishing or maturing information security policies and procedures.
- Conducting thorough reviews of information and data assets.
- Engaging with boards of directors and executive leaders to provide valuable insights on cybersecurity risk measures.
- Determining the proper security frameworks with which the company must comply.
Specialising in Secure Services Access Edge (SASE) and Secure Services Edge (SSE), Hybrid Workforce Security, Network, Cloud, and Infrastructure Vendor Management, and Business Information Security Officer (BISO) function, I am well-versed in reviewing and providing recommendations against frameworks such as NIST 800-53, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, ASD Essential 8, PCI-DSS, APRA, ISO 27001, and CSA CCM.
With a strong focus on driving measurable results and delivering value to organisations, I am committed to providing exceptional service and expertise as a trusted virtual CISO
Palo Alto Networks — Sydney, NSW. — May 2019 to Feb 2021
SASE Solution Lead for JAPAC
- As the JAPAC Lead for Secure Access Secure Edge (SASE) at Palo Alto Networks, I am responsible for articulating how our solution can deliver business outcomes to our customers and prospects in the region.
- In addition to my SASE leadership role, I also serve as a field CISO to both internal and external customers, providing guidance on the cybersecurity landscape and helping to identify and mitigate risks.
- I conduct technical analysis of our competitors’ offerings to provide our field sales teams with the proper attack vectors to best position our solution in the market.
- To support our sales and marketing efforts, I develop C-level targeted collateral that clearly articulates Palo Alto Networks’ vision and solutions that deliver business outcomes securely and efficiently.
- As a subject matter expert, I regularly present to customers and partners at industry trade shows, roundtables, various industry webinars, and vendor events, sharing insights on how our solutions can address their specific security challenges.
- In addition to my external-facing responsibilities, I also work closely with internal teams, including Product Management and Engineering, to provide customer feedback and insights to help guide the development of new features and solutions.
- Finally, I collaborate with the wider JAPAC team to provide training and enablement resources to our sales and technical teams, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively sell and support our solutions.
Cisco Systems — Sydney, NSW. — Aug 2014 to May 2019
Technical Solutions Architect – Data Centre & Secure Data Centre
- As the Architecture Lead for Cisco Data Centre and Security in A/NZ, I provide expert guidance to the Engineering and Sales teams on all Data Centre, Secure Data Centre technologies & architectures, and hybrid-cloud solutions.
- Collaborate closely with field sales teams to provide design, licensing, competitive positioning, and other support to achieve business objectives.
- Develop strategic C-level collateral to effectively communicate Cisco’s vision and solutions that deliver secure and efficient business outcomes to customers.
- Create technical collateral and training materials to empower the field with knowledge on new products and solutions and guide them in delivering effective solutions to customers.
- Work closely with product management and engineering teams to drive requirements and feature requests into new and existing products based on customer and field feedback.
- Present at Cisco Live demo booths, trade shows, and other industry events to showcase new and existing application experience technologies.
- Collaborate with Cisco Validated Design teams to ensure their recommendations for ACI and Secure Data Centre Architecture deployments align with customer needs and business objectives.
- Identify emerging technology trends and provide recommendations to drive Cisco’s roadmap forward.
- Foster relationships with key stakeholders across various industries and markets to build trust and credibility.
Optus Business/Alphawest — Sydney, NSW. — April 2012 to Aug 2014
Senior Solution Architect
- A Senior Solution Architect within the Business Communications team (Enterprise Networking, Data Centre & Cloud Solutions, Security).
- Analyse prospective and current customer requirements and develop profitable and suitable solutions to meet customer needs, often including complex solution architectures, working with Service Providers to ensure an end-to-end optimal architecture.
- Enterprise Architecture thought leader, driving Technology into the Business strategy and vice-versa.
- Lead role in the bid/no bid process ensuring bids are commercially viable & fit with strategy; and provide expertise around risk and risk mitigation requirements.
- Lead and managed the creation of GTM offerings with vendors and customers as well as the professional services and sales teams.
- Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of present technological trends, processes, and methodologies in the ICT marketplace.
SingTel Optus Pty Limited — North Ryde, NSW. — Jan 2011 to April 2012
Network Architect
- Prime on network architecture and network lifecycle activities related to the deployment of IP/MPLS network infrastructure used to support Optus Business, Wholesale and Consumer customers.
- Work with Technology Vendors to lead recommendations regarding future technology and strategy to the IP Bids & New Product Design manager.
- Perform assessment of existing network elements and implement architecture updates as required to ensure all network components meet the network architecture specifications.
- Provide reports as input to the preparation for annual network plans & budgets.
- Providing coaching / mentoring for team members.
MEMBERSHIPS, AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS, EXTRA RESPONSIBILITIES
Memberships & Associations:
- (ISC)2 — Membership #: 618888
- (ISC)2 — Sydney Chapter
- ISACA — Membership #:1229415
- ISACA — Sydney Chapter
- Cybersecurity Advisors Network (CyAN)
- Australian Information Security Association (AISA) Membership #: M126705ID
- Association of Enterprise Architects
Awards & Recognition:
- Citrix Player of the Quarter FY21Q2 — Leading Security GTM & Enablement
- PANW SASE Champion FY20
- Cisco Sales Champion (150%+) FY18
- Cisco Sales Achiever (130%+) FY15, FY17
- Cisco Engineering Excellence Award FY17
- Cisco Data Centre Specialist SE of the Year FY17
- Cisco Live 2015 & 2016 — Over and above achiever
- Enterprise Service Provider Technologies SME SE (2014-2019)
Events & Conferences:
- Macquarie University – Cyber Security Hub Industry Event April 2023
- Keynote Speaker at IDG CIO Summit 2021 — Securing the Hybrid Workforce
- Various FST Media and Public Sector Networks Webinars and Roundtable Events.
- PANW Tech Experts 2020 — SASE Lead Presenter and Content Organiser
- Cisco Live 2019– Data Center Manager for World of Solutions
- Cisco Live 2018 — Data Center Pod Manager for World of Solutions
- Cisco Live 2015-2017 — Data Center Lab Manager – Walk-In Self-Paced Labs