The NSW Electoral Commission (NSWEC) is on the lookout for a new Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) following Vishwanath Nair’s departure.
NSWEC Seeks New CISO After Departure of Vishwanath Nair
The job description for the Director of Information Security role indicates that the chosen candidate will serve as the CISO, providing expert advice to the state’s Electoral Commissioner.
In addition to day-to-day duties, the CISO will oversee the NSWEC’s ongoing cybersecurity enhancement program. Initiated in 2022 with a $4.8 million allocation from the state’s Digital Restart Fund, this program was launched in response to concerns raised by Electoral Commissioner John Schmidt in 2021 about the agency’s cybersecurity compliance.
The program’s objective remains to ensure the NSW Electoral Commission’s compliance with the NSW government’s cybersecurity policies.
The CISO will report to the Director of Information Services and manage a team of up to nine staff and contractors.
Nair departed from his role in March, having joined the commission in December 2019. Reflecting on his tenure, Nair expressed appreciation for the commission’s executive team and highlighted the exceptional work environment and operational freedom.
He also praised his team, noting their expertise and dedication in the cybersecurity field.
An NSW Electoral Commission spokesperson acknowledged Nair’s contributions, stating, “We appreciate Vish’s efforts during his time with the NSWEC and wish him success in his future endeavors.”
During the recruitment process for a new CISO, Ken Yiu will serve as the Acting Director of Information Security.
Before joining the NSWEC, Nair served as the Head of Information Security and Risk at Western Sydney Local Health District. He moved to Australia in 2018 after spending nearly 11 years as the Head of IT Continuity at Emirates Airlines.
