Slipstream Cyber names new leaders to strengthen national growth

Slipstream Cyber has announced the appointment of David Kaplan as General Manager – Cyber Security and Steve Macdonald as Director – Cyber Security Practise as the company seeks to bolster its national leadership capabilities amid rising demand for expert cyber security services.

The appointments are part of Slipstream Cyber's ongoing strategy to reinforce its presence across Australia, leveraging its 24/7, Australian-based Security Operations Centre to deliver services nationwide. The company is undertaking a three-year plan to become the technology provider of choice for customers, partners, and talent across the country, as it responds to a notable increase in cyber threats and data breaches.

Leadership roles defined

David Kaplan will take on the role of General Manager – Cyber Security, with responsibilities for leading Slipstream Cyber's Active Defence, Digital Forensics & Incident Response (DFIR), and Consulting teams. Kaplan brings over 25 years of experience in cyber security and IT services, having previously served as Principal Practise Manager at Amazon Web Services. He has also held senior positions at Dimension Data and has been working closely with the Slipstream team since March, contributing to delivery and consulting improvements.

Steve Macdonald, as Director – Cyber Security Practise, will oversee the company's Commercial, Partnerships, Customer Success, and Pre-Sales teams. Macdonald joins Slipstream Cyber with industry experience gained at Telstra, where he led Global Managed Security Services with a focus on cyber defence. His background also includes leadership roles at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Check Point, Balbix, and Dimension Data. Based in Melbourne, Macdonald further increases the reach of the company's leadership team.

Strategic timing amid increased cyber incidents

These appointments coincide with an increase in notifiable cyber breaches across Australia. In 2024, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner reported over 1,000 such breaches - a 25% rise compared to the previous year - demonstrating a need for enhanced cyber leadership and response capability.

Both Kaplan and Macdonald will join Slipstream Cyber's senior leadership team and report to Nick Scholefield, Chief Operating Officer at Interactive.

These appointments mark an important step in our growth journey. We're strengthening our leadership to meet the market's increasing demand for trusted cyber partners, while positioning ourselves to deliver greater value and innovation to customers across Australia. This is a clear step forward in our Unite28 strategy, our three-year plan to make Interactive the tech company of choice in Australia for customers, partners, and top talent.

The company states that strategic leadership is essential in managing the evolving threat landscape and in supporting customers to build cyber resilience.

Strong leadership is critical in today's dynamic cyber landscape. Threats are evolving fast, and so must we. We're investing in leaders who can cut through complexity, move at speed, and help our customers build lasting resilience.

David Kaplan described his focus in the new role:

I'm thrilled to help drive Slipstream's next phase of growth and ensure we remain the partner of choice for cyber resilience. As we head into FY26, I'll be focused on leading our Active Defence, Digital Forensics & Incident Response (DFIR), and Consulting teams at a time when proactive, expert cyber response is critical - integrating these capabilities to help customers stay ahead of threats and respond swiftly when it matters most.

Steve Macdonald highlighted the importance of customer partnerships as he joins Slipstream Cyber:

It's an exciting time to join Slipstream. With increasing demand for trusted, outcome-driven cyber partners, I'm focused on leading our Commercial, Partnerships, Customer Success, and Pre-Sales teams to deepen connections and deliver real, measurable value for our customers.

National presence and ongoing investment

Slipstream Cyber delivers services to customers across Australia through its 24×7 Security Operations Centre. The company continues to invest in people, partnerships, and technology in response to industry challenges and client needs. Both new appointees are expected to contribute to the company's continued development in the domestic cyber security sector.