The Australian National University has poached the Digital Transformation Agency’s chief investment and advisory officer, Dr Lesley Seebeck, as the inaugural head of its new Cyber Institute.
Having started at the DTA just nine months ago, Seebeck has been overseeing the federal government’s portfolio of IT investments, including those deemed high-risk.
Her departure comes after the DTA revealed last week that its chief executive Gavin Slater is quitting his role at the end of the month.
Seebeck moved to the DTA in September last year to replace Radi Kovacevic as head of the digital investment management office.
The office is tasked with keeping track of all Commonwealth IT projects worth more than $10 million to ensure effective government-wide IT management.
Prior to joining the agency, Seebeck spent three years as the head of the Bureau of Meteorology’s IT shop, where she led the response to the 2015 cyber intrusion and oversaw the replacement of the agency’s critical supercomputer.
Seebeck will take up the CEO position at ANU’s recently established Cyber Institute in late July 2018.
The new institute aims to research cyber security by combining expertise from a number of disciplines.
Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science Professor Elanor Huntington said Seebeck brings extensive experience in strategy, ICT and transformation sectors to the institute.
“Dr Seebeck is a leader in cyber security, with an outstanding record of strategic planning and delivery within complex and multidisciplinary environments spanning government, industry and academia,” Professor Huntington said.
“Under Lesley’s leadership, I am confident the institute will contribute significantly to the nation’s increasing focus on cyber security and deliver innovative solutions to challenges faced by us all.”
The DTA is yet to determine interim arrangements for the chief investment and advisory officer role following Seebeck's departure.
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