As cyber threats grow in scale and sophistication, the role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) has never been more critical. Sydney, home to some of Australia’s largest organisations across healthcare, finance, education, and infrastructure, is cultivating a new generation of security leaders who are redefining how organisations protect data, systems, and people.
From leading national research institutions to managing operational technology in public transport, these CISOs are shaping the city’s cybersecurity landscape. This article highlights 7 CISOs in Sydney whose expertise, leadership, and innovative approaches make them standouts in an ever-evolving field.
Peter Croll — NSW Health
Peter Croll is the current Chief Information Security Officer for NSW Health (via eHealth NSW), based in the Greater Sydney area. Over the decades, he has steered cybersecurity and information security for one of Australia’s largest health systems. This complex environment requires careful balancing among patient care, data privacy, and regulatory compliance.
Recently, Ctoll was listed as a speaker at the 2025 CISO Leaders Summit Sydney, underscoring his continued influence in shaping health‑sector cybersecurity strategy.
Anna Aquilina — University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Anna Aquilina represents the academic and higher‑education domain as CISO of UTS. She appeared among the featured security leaders at major InfoSec events in Sydney, including the 2025 CISO Leaders Summit. In that forum, she was slated for a “fireside chat,” reflecting both her leadership in university cybersecurity and her visibility as a thought leader in the broader Sydney InfoSec community.
Leron Zinatullin — Linkly
Leron Zinatullin is listed among the key security leaders in Sydney as CISO of Linkly, included in the 2025 speaker roster for major InfoSec gatherings. (Focus Network) While public press about specific projects is limited, his inclusion among top‑ranked CISOs suggests that Linkly values proactive security leadership — making him someone to watch as Linkly grows or faces new security challenges.
River Nygryn — HammondCare
River Nygryn leads cybersecurity at HammondCare, a major provider in the social care, aged care, and not-for-profit sectors. At the 2025 CISO Leaders Summit, she delivered a keynote titled “Data‑Driven Leadership – Turning Information into Strategic Advantage,” where she emphasized blending data analytics with human‑centric leadership to drive cyber strategy. Her approach of combining technical security discipline with a people-and-culture focus positions her as a rising voice in health & social‑care cybersecurity.
Jamie Rossato — CSIRO
Jamie Rossato serves as the CISO of CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, reflecting top‑tier responsibilities given CSIRO’s research scope, data sensitivity, and national importance. His participation in national-level InfoSec events, plus his long-standing role, suggests deep experience in managing complex, high-stakes cybersecurity risks in scientific research and infrastructure.
Siddharth Rajanna — Bingo Industries
Siddharth Rajanna heads IT Security at Bingo Industries, a major infrastructure and waste‑services company, a sector often underestimated in cyber risk but increasingly targeted due to operational technology (OT) and industrial control systems. His participation in recent cyber conferences reflects the growing recognition of security leaders outside traditional IT or finance sectors.
Maryam Shoraka — Sydney Trains
Maryam Shoraka is in charge of OT Cyber Security Operations for Sydney Trains, a critical role given the infrastructure and public‑safety implications of rail transportation. Recently, she was featured as a speaker at high-profile events, underscoring her focus on building world-class security operations centres (SOCs) and integrating threat intelligence into operations. Her role straddles traditional IT and operational technology, making her leadership especially relevant in the age of converging infrastructures.
Sydney’s Cybersecurity Trailblazers
Sydney’s cybersecurity leadership is increasingly diverse. The CISOs above are notable not just for their titles, but for their visibility at industry events, their track records of leading security in critical or complex organisations, and (in some cases) recent industry awards. For anyone tracking InfoSec trends in Australia or trying to build a network of leading security professionals, these names are definitely worth watching.