Victoria University completes year-long search for CISO

Victoria University (VU) has hired former PEXA information security management head Tara Dharnikota to fill its long-vacant chief information security officer role.

The university has been looking to fill the CISO spot for just over a year, during which it undertook an organisational change program that led to a review of its security needs.

As a result, Dharnikota will now lead security for a combined facilities and IT services team known as the digital and campus services (DCS) department.

She will report to Stuart Hildyard, chief digital officer and executive director of campus services.

A VU spokesperson told iTnews that the digital and campus services division “continues to build its internal capability, ensuring that our CISO focuses on strategic initiatives for the university”. 

VU’s cyber security leadership was previously overseen by director of cyber and digital networks Nitan Singh, who left the institution in November 2023.

The spokesperson added that the university decided to split up network and cyber operations that were previously overseen by Singh during last year’s organisational restructure.

“As with all large workplaces, vacancies will come along. However, key leadership positions within the digital and campus services department are all currently filled,” the spokesperson said.

Prior to joining VU, Dharnikota spent two years at PEXA and also spent almost 10 years at Telstra, working across various security roles. 

PEXA is now in recruitment mode for a position to oversee its security, governance, compliance and awareness programs.