​NSW scores AUSTRAC security head as new government CISO

The New South Wales government has announced the appointment of Dr Maria Milosavljevic as the state’s inaugural government chief information security officer (GCISO).

Milosavljevic will leave her current role as the chief innovation officer and chief information security officer at AUSTRAC — Australia’s financial intelligence agency — to take up the new gig with the NSW government, where she will work with industry, all levels of government, and international governments on a “collaborative” approach to cybersecurity.

Milosavljevic will also develop a set of standards with NSW government agencies, streamlining the cybersecurity approach across government.

“I’m excited to welcome Dr Milosavljevic as the new GCISO and I look forward to working with her on strengthening the NSW government cybersecurity network,” Minister for Finance, Services and Property Victor Dominello said of her appointment.

“Cyber risk and security has emerged as one of the most high profile, borderless, and rapidly evolving risks facing government, so the GCISO position is vital to strengthening the NSW government’s cybersecurity.”

Prior to her tenure at AUSTRAC, Milosavljevic was the CIO and CISO at the Australian Crime Commission for five years, as well as the CTO at Capital Markets CRC Limited for three years before that.

In May, the NSW government appointed Damon Rees as its first government chief information and digital officer (GCIDO) to advocate for digital adoption across the state’s public sector.

In announcing the creation of the role, Dominello’s predecessor Dominic Perrottet said the GCIDO was a modern spin on the traditional CIO, with the addition of the word digital in line with the accelerating use of digital services.

Dominello assumed his new role in January, following the departure of NSW Premier Mike Baird.

As a result of Baird’s departure, the NSW Ministry was reshuffled, with former Treasurer and Deputy Premier Gladys Berejiklian scooping the state’s top spot. Perrottet is now the state’s treasurer, while Minister for Small Business, Minister for Skills, and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro has added deputy premier to his list of duties.

Having worked closely with Perrottet previously, Dominello said last month he stepped seamlessly into the role and reiterated his intentions to have data drive everything he does with his new responsibilities.