Forensic IT names Chris Hatfield as Executive General Manager

Forensic IT has appointed Chris Hatfield as Executive General Manager as organisations face growing pressure to manage cyber incidents that can trigger legal, regulatory and board-level scrutiny.

The Sydney-based digital forensics and incident response business is part of Infotrust, an ASX-listed cyber security and technology services provider. The appointment adds senior leadership focused on investigations, litigation support and the governance fallout from breaches and ransomware events.

Cyber incidents now often extend beyond technical remediation. Companies increasingly face notification obligations, regulator engagement, reputational risk and potential court proceedings. This has lifted demand for forensic work that can withstand external scrutiny, including robust evidence handling and dispute-ready reporting.

Hatfield joins from FTI Consulting, where he was a Managing Director. He worked across forensic technology, digital forensics and e-discovery on multi-jurisdictional matters, supporting senior executives, in-house counsel and external legal teams on investigations and litigation involving large data sets.

Forensic IT said Hatfield has advised corporates, law firms and regulators on complex investigations and data-driven risk matters, with experience in matters where accuracy and defensibility are critical.

Shift in response

Infotrust Managing Director and Group CEO Julian Challingsworth said the appointment reflects changes in how organisations respond to cyber and data risk.

"Cyber incidents now sit squarely at the intersection of technology, law and governance," said Julian Challingsworth, Managing Director and Group CEO, Infotrust.

"Boards and executive teams are under increasing pressure to demonstrate defensible decision-making, regulatory readiness and forensic integrity. Chris brings global forensic experience and the executive-level judgement needed to help boards and legal teams navigate high-pressure, high-stakes situations with confidence," he said.

Role scope

As Executive General Manager, Hatfield will lead Forensic IT's national digital forensics and incident response practice. His remit also includes expert witness services and closer alignment with Infotrust's broader cyber security operations.

The approach links incident response with subsequent investigation and external engagement, including liaison with legal teams, preparation for regulatory inquiries and support for litigation where digital evidence is in dispute.

Hatfield said cyber incidents require a broader response that accounts for governance and external scrutiny.

"Cyber incidents today are rarely confined to IT teams," said Chris Hatfield, Executive General Manager, Forensic IT.

"They quickly involve executive leadership, legal counsel, regulators and, in many cases, the courts. Organisations need forensic capabilities that are technically rigorous, legally defensible and aligned with executive decision-making," he said.

Group context

Forensic IT sits within Infotrust's portfolio of cyber security and technology services. Infotrust said it has more than 200 cyber specialists nationwide supporting enterprise, government and critical infrastructure organisations, and more than 250 professionals overall.

The appointment follows a broader trend of cyber security firms expanding advisory and forensic capabilities as boards seek greater assurance on decision-making and evidence quality after an incident. For many organisations, the incident lifecycle now extends from initial containment into longer phases that can include internal investigations, employee matters, insurance processes, regulator correspondence and court actions.

Hatfield's background in multi-jurisdictional matters also highlights the complexity faced by organisations operating across borders, where data may sit in multiple locations and investigations can run alongside different legal processes, including jurisdiction-specific regulator inquiries.

Infotrust said the hire is part of continued investment in specialist leadership as incidents increase in frequency and sophistication, and as organisations seek forensic services that support both technical investigations and legal processes.