NSW Telco Authority seeks cyber security director

The NSW Telco Authority is looking to fill a senior position, to take up the preparation of the authority’s cyber security technology roadmap.

The authority recently began advertising for a director of networks and cyber security, reporting to its chief digital and technology officer, held since July 2022 by James Pickens.

While the authority declined to say who has held the cyber security role previously, the authority told iTnews: “This role is to backfill a role left vacant by the previous incumbent, who has transitioned into another senior cyber security role within government. It is not a new position.”

The director will lead the authority’s cyber risk programs, as well as improving the authority’s cyber resilience capabilities.

The recruitment advertisement states the authority is keen to increase its “cyber protection maturity”, with the director “overseeing both our security operations and our response to high profile incidents across the division.”

That includes implementing programs to “trace, mitigate, and reduce our overall security risks”.

The director will also be responsible for securing “the protected environment managing the Public Safety Network” (PSN).

Upgrades to the PSN have been proceeding since 2016, with the original $400 million cost blowing out to nearly $1.3 billion, according to a June 2023 auditor-general’s report.

Full integration of emergency services – fire, police, SES and ambulance – into the PSN isn’t expected until 2027.