Cybersecurity has become one of the most critical pillars of public sector operations in Australia. As government agencies modernize services, move to the cloud, and respond to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, the demand for visionary cyber leadership has never been higher. From federal departments to state agencies, a new generation of CISOs and senior security leaders are driving innovation, resilience, and culture change across the public sector.
These leaders not only protect sensitive government systems and citizen data but also shape national cyber strategy, spearhead digital transformation initiatives, and mentor the next wave of security professionals. While some carry the official title of Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), others hold senior leadership roles with equivalent impact, and all are making their mark on Australia’s cyber landscape.
Marie Patane — NSW Chief Cyber Security Officer & Executive Director Cyber Security NSW, NSW Department of Customer Service
Marie leads Cyber Security NSW with a focus on operational resilience and enterprise-wide security programs. Her background includes over four and a half years of strategic leadership at Sydney Metro, where her team earned national recognition for excellence in security. She is known for fostering proactive security cultures and integrating people, technology, and processes seamlessly across the public sector.
Julian Valtas — Chief Information Security Officer, ACT Government
Julian has over 17 years of experience with the ACT Government and currently serves as Chief Information Security Officer. He is responsible for implementing security frameworks, managing risk, and ensuring compliance across the territory’s government systems.
Mark Sawade — Chief Information Officer & Chief Security Officer, Australian Taxation Office
With over 25 years of experience across the federal government, Mark has served in senior roles at the Australian Bureau of Statistics, ComSuper, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, and multiple education and agricultural departments. At the ATO, he leads both IT and cybersecurity functions, leveraging his extensive public sector expertise to strengthen the organisation’s digital resilience.
Darryn Van Someren — Acting Chief Information Security Officer, SA Government
Darryn brings more than four years of cybersecurity experience within the South Australian Government, currently acting as the state’s CISO. He previously served as Deputy Director of Service Design & Integration in Cyber Security at the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, contributing to state-wide digital security initiatives.
Adam Smith — General Manager Cyber Security, Queensland Government
Adam recently assumed the top cybersecurity role in Queensland, after serving as Deputy Chief Information Security Officer. He is responsible for the strategy and governance of cyber operations across state agencies, ensuring security is embedded into Queensland’s public services.
Steve Lloyd — CIO, CISO & AI Accountable Official, Australian Office of Parliamentary Counsel
Steve is a senior ICT leader with extensive experience managing large-scale, public-facing transformational projects. As CIO and CISO at OPC, he oversees IT and cybersecurity, delivering innovative cloud migrations and operational optimizations while managing multimillion-dollar budgets and large teams.
Jonathan Dean — Chief Security Officer/Chief Information Security Officer, Defence Industry Prime
Jonathan recently transitioned from his role as Defence CISO to industry, continuing to influence Australia’s defence cybersecurity landscape. His decades of experience at the Department of Defence provide him with deep expertise in national security and defence-sector cyber strategy.
Daminda Kumara — Chief Information Security Officer, Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation
Daminda brings over 20 years of cybersecurity experience across industries, now leading security at CSC, which manages over $50 billion in assets. He is known for creating risk-appropriate security solutions, developing high-performing teams, and fostering a culture of security awareness aligned with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
Leading the Charge in Public Sector Cybersecurity
Australia’s government and public sector are in capable hands with this cohort of cybersecurity leaders. From shaping national strategy to driving digital transformation, they exemplify the expertise, vision, and resilience required to protect critical infrastructure, citizen data, and organisational trust. As threats continue to evolve, these CISOs and security leaders will remain at the forefront, ensuring Australia’s public sector is secure, agile, and ready for the challenges ahead.