As Telstra’s Chief Information Security Officer Asia Pacific, Narelle is responsible for the company’s cyber security operations, intelligence, risk, governance, compliance, development, engagement, law enforcement liaison and physical security. Narelle balances these responsibilities with raising her nine year old daughter and five year old son (with help from her husband, Michael).
Narelle began her career as an officer in the Royal Australian Navy, eventually assuming the role of the Navy’s first Director Cyber Warfare. In 2016, Narelle left the Navy to pursue her next chapter in the public service and was appointed the Chief Information Security Officer for the Department of Human Services. In this role, she transformed the cyber organisation, building a new state of the art Cyber Security Operations Centre and uplifting the capability from 25 to 250 personnel.
Narelle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Information Systems and English, a Master of Science in Information Technology, a Master of Systems Engineering and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is an Adjunct Professor at Deakin University, is a Fellow of the Australian Information Security Association and holds Director positions on the Boards of Telstra Australia Networks and Telstra International Networks.
Narelle was awarded a Conspicuous Service Medal on the 2016 Australia Day Honours List in recognition of meritorious achievement as the Deputy Director – Cyber (Maritime) in Joint Capability Coordination Division.