Cybersecurity leadership in Australia’s software development and digital platform ecosystem is evolving quickly. As organisations scale cloud adoption, embed AI into workflows, and accelerate product delivery cycles, security leaders are increasingly shaping business strategy rather than simply enforcing technical safeguards. The modern CISO and adjacent security leadership roles must balance risk reduction, compliance, and innovation while enabling engineering teams to build and ship faster.
Across Australia, a new wave of security executives is influencing how software organisations approach DevSecOps, privacy frameworks, governance, and platform resilience. Some hold traditional CISO titles, while others operate as heads of security or strategic advisors whose influence spans engineering, risk, and product development. Together, these leaders are helping redefine what security leadership looks like in a software-driven economy.
Andrew Philp — Field CISO, ANZ, TrendAI
Andrew Philp focuses on reducing cyber risk across enterprise and government sectors through industry participation, education, and advanced platform security solutions. As Field CISO for ANZ at TrendAI, he works closely with organisations navigating complex security transformation challenges, helping translate technical risk into business-aligned security strategies.
Philp is known for his emphasis on transparency and trusted client relationships, a trait increasingly valued in security leadership as organisations seek partners who can help guide secure software adoption rather than simply enforce controls. His work highlights the growing importance of platform-level security tooling in modern software development environments.
Gene S. — Chief Information Security Officer, Hansen Technologies
With over 15 years of experience spanning multiple industries, Gene S. brings a pragmatic and analytical approach to solving complex cybersecurity challenges. As CISO of Hansen Technologies, he oversees enterprise security strategy for a global software provider serving communications, utilities, and government sectors.
Gene’s strength lies in aligning cybersecurity programs with operational outcomes. By balancing people, processes, and technology, he focuses on delivering security initiatives that support software scalability while maintaining resilience across large and complex digital infrastructures.
Chris Grisdale — Head of Information Security (CISO), hipages Group
Chris Grisdale has built a reputation as a results-driven security leader focused on designing and executing comprehensive protection strategies for rapidly evolving digital platforms. At hipages Group, he leads initiatives that address vulnerability management, regulatory compliance, and incident response while supporting agile product development.
Grisdale’s cross-functional leadership style enables collaboration between security, engineering, and executive stakeholders. His work demonstrates how integrated security programs can strengthen organisational resilience without slowing software innovation.
Nicole N. — Head of Information Security and Privacy, Fresh Clinics
Nicole N. combines technical depth with governance expertise, bringing more than a decade of experience across information security management and risk leadership. At Fresh Clinics, she leads both security and privacy strategy for a fast-growing healthcare technology platform.
Her career spans security leadership roles at MessageMedia and Newell Brands, where she drove regional security operations and governance initiatives. With an extensive list of professional certifications and academic credentials, Nicole is widely recognised for championing best-practice frameworks while fostering security awareness and organisational collaboration.
Leron Zinatullin — Chief Information Security Officer, Linkly
Leron Zinatullin is a highly respected cybersecurity executive known for bridging security, governance, and business strategy. As CISO at Linkly, a payments technology company processing billions of financial transactions annually, he oversees enterprise risk management, compliance, and data protection strategy.
Zinatullin has led major security and digital transformation programs that improved operational efficiency while strengthening regulatory compliance. His initiatives have contributed to measurable business outcomes, including cost optimisation, accelerated growth, and improved incident response capabilities. Beyond his executive role, he is also an author, advisor, and award-winning industry speaker, reinforcing his influence across Australia’s cybersecurity community.
Manasseh Paradesi — Former Chief Information Security Officer, Tyro Payments
Manasseh Paradesi previously served as CISO at Tyro Payments, where he helped secure complex, highly regulated digital payment ecosystems. While he has since moved on from the role, his contributions continue to influence the fintech security landscape in Australia.
Paradesi is widely recognised for his pragmatic, business-aligned approach to cybersecurity. His leadership emphasises automation, lean cyber architecture, and governance frameworks that enable compliance without introducing unnecessary operational complexity — an increasingly important philosophy for software-centric financial services platforms.
Madhuri Nandi — Head of Security, Nuvei (formerly Till Payments)
Madhuri Nandi brings nearly two decades of cybersecurity leadership experience, with a strong focus on embedding security as a business enabler. As Head of Security at Nuvei, following the acquisition of Till Payments, she is helping integrate and scale security frameworks across global payments infrastructure.
Nandi is particularly known for embedding cybersecurity into engineering and product functions, as well as her work advancing PCI compliance and cloud security programs. Beyond her corporate leadership, she contributes to industry mentorship and diversity initiatives as a board member of the Australian Women in Security Network.
Shaun Martin — Head of Information Security, Aware Super
Shaun Martin leads information security strategy at Aware Super, where he focuses on protecting the digital platforms that support millions of members. His work spans governance, threat management, and enterprise security program development within highly regulated financial environments.
Martin’s leadership reflects the increasing overlap between financial services technology and software development. By building resilient security frameworks for complex digital ecosystems, he helps ensure that large-scale customer platforms remain both secure and scalable.
The Expanding Role of Security Leadership in Australia’s Software Economy
The responsibilities of CISOs and senior security leaders continue to expand alongside Australia’s growing software and digital services sectors. These professionals are no longer limited to defensive cybersecurity functions; they are shaping product design, influencing engineering practices, and helping organisations build trust with customers and regulators alike.
As software innovation accelerates, leaders like those featured here are setting new standards for how organisations balance security, speed, and business growth. Their work underscores a broader industry shift, one where cybersecurity is becoming a core pillar of software development strategy rather than an afterthought.