Sekuro appoints Scott Waters as security advisor to government

Australian cyber security consultancy Sekuro has announced the appointment of Scott Waters in the newly created role of Security Advisor to the Federal Government. Waters brings over 25 years of experience in cybersecurity leadership, security operations management, consulting, and auditing across various federal government agencies and programmes. This appointment is part of Sekuro's strategic push to address increasing cyber threats against the public sector, with a particular focus on Australia's critical infrastructure.

In his previous roles, Waters served as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) for two significant federal government outsourced ICT programmes, managed by Ledios and Hewlett-Packard. The role with Ledios particularly highlighted his experience, as it involved overseeing the largest outsourced environment of its time. His extensive experience in CSO/CISO roles and security leadership grants him a comprehensive perspective on the multifaceted aspects of security organisations.

The appointment comes amid rising cyber threats targeting government departments, agencies, and third parties in Australia. According to the BlackBerry Global Threat Intelligence Report, cyber attacks on the public service increased from 30,000 between March and May 2023 to 48,000 between June and August 2023. These alarming statistics underscore the urgency of bolstering cyber resilience within federal agencies.

Waters' role will primarily involve spearheading efforts to enhance security resilience within federal agencies. His focus will be on safeguarding Australia’s critical infrastructure, a strategic priority given the escalating cyber threats aimed at public sector entities.

Sekuro’s recent successes in securing significant projects within the public sector reflect the expert demand for specialised cybersecurity services. Waters’ appointment is expected to further strengthen Sekuro’s capability in managing and mitigating cyber risks associated with federal operations.

In addition to his extensive professional experience, Waters has contributed to the cybersecurity community through his decade-long service on the ISACA Canberra Chapter Board, including a tenure as President. He has also participated in an ISACA International sub-committee.