APRA finds new cyber security leader

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has hired Bianca Wirth as its new chief information security officer following a four-month recruitment process.

Bianca Wirth
LinkedIn

Wirth previously spent almost three years as cluster CISO at the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) where she “developed a comprehensive cyber security strategy”, according to her LinkedIn.

Her departure from the DPHI follows that of chief information and digital officer Bianca Jordaan, who also left the department in December. 

She will now work alongside APRA's CIO Rogier Roelofs and chief data officer Andy Robertson and be tasked with "leading transformational change" and "building relevant capability".

Her appointment comes after APRA, alongside the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, netted around $130 million for cyber security uplifts over the next four years.

APRA declined to comment on Wirth’s appointment when approached by iTnews.

The authority does not appear to have had a C-level security leader since May 2022, when former chief security officer Mikhail Lopushanski exited the regulator to join Heritage Bank.

An executive recruitment firm shared Wirth’s new move on LinkedIn, noting that “APRA is embarking on a pivotal journey to strengthen its security posture, and Bianca’s transformational leadership, technical acumen, and deep understanding of both government and financial services sectors make her the ideal choice to guide this mission.”

Meanwhile, Wirth's former role is being filled on an acting basis, with a new appointment expected soon, according to the DPHI.

"The department is now in the process of identifying a suitable candidate for the chief information security officer role," a spokesperson said.

"This position will be responsible for leading the provision of information security support to over 20,000 users across three NSW Government Departments and their related entities."