Our board of directors

Chair - Akash Mittal

Akash Mittal works as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) within the industry with 18-years of experience in technology and cyber security. 
Akash holds a Bachelor of Technology and a Master of Science in Network Systems, and industry certifications including Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM), SABSA Chartered Security Architect, and Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA).

Email: [email protected]

Deputy Chair - Chloe Hatzis

Chloe Hatzis is a Data Security Specialist internationally experienced at implementing information security. She has an LLB (Hons) and nearly a decade of experience in business operations, cyber security strategy, international privacy and data protection, information security management, corporate governance, and cyberlaw training for executive level management. 
Chloe has been active in the AISA community since 2018 and previously held the positions of Deputy Branch Chair for the Melbourne Executive Committee and AISA Company Secretary.
Her unique skill-set enables her to bridge the gap between implementing law, technology, business process and security to empower individuals and organisations to make informed decisions about their information. 
Chloe received the AISA 'Volunteer of the Year' award in 2018. 

Director - Dr Suelette Dreyfus

Dr Suelette Dreyfus is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Computing and Information Systems at the University of Melbourne. She leads the core undergraduate subject information security and privacy and co-runs a Masters-level subject in Emerging Technologies. She graduated from Columbia University before going on to complete her PhD at Monash University. 

Suelette leads research projects in the digital security and privacy space, with a particular focus on the end-user experience, specifically for consumers online. She has previously co-designed and run projects in e-health testing reporting of safety errors in hospitals, and exploring barriers to technology adoption in the health-setting.  She introduced the first digital security training for Masters level journalism students in Australia at her university. She has made numerous public policy contributions, including appearing before state and Commonwealth Government committees to give expert advice. In addition to her technology work, she has expertise in media and has previously trained at and worked on the staff of one of the largest selling daily newspapers in Australia as a journalist. She appears regularly in international and Australian media speaking on her areas of expertise. She co-authored the first mainstream book about computer hacking in Australia.

Director - Andrew Evans

Andrew works in the area of governance, risk and compliance and follows a holistic approach to security bringing together physical, people, processes and technology across organisations.  Andrew is currently a security risk partner at Telstra and has over 18 years' experience in cyber security and risk working in Europe, USA and Australia with various organisations in the public and private sectors in areas including, but not limited to: telecommunications, mining, energy, transportation and aerospace & defence.  Andrew holds an MSc in IT Security, a BSc (Hons) in Computer Systems and Networks and is CISSP certified. 

Email: [email protected]

Director - Branko Ninkovic

Branko is a seasoned cyber security expert with over 25 years of hands-on experience in the field. Throughout his illustrious career, he has demonstrated a remarkable ability to build and lead cyber security initiatives, earning him a reputation as a trusted authority in the industry.

In 2005, Branko founded Dragonfly Technologies, where he developed and successfully brought to market a secure authentication platform designed to protect mission-critical environments for both enterprises and government agencies. 

Since the sale of Dragonfly, Branko has transitioned into an independent trusted cyber security and start-up advisor. 

Recognised for his pragmatic approach and strategic mindset, Branko has forged valuable partnerships and collaborations with industry leaders, driving growth and innovation within the cybersecurity landscape.

Branko is not only known for his expertise in cyber security but also for his exceptional communication skills. As a sought-after speaker, he has a knack for simplifying complex concepts and implementing robust security practices with clarity and precision. Moreover, Branko is passionate about mentoring professionals at all levels, fostering growth and excellence within the cyber security community.

Director - Craig Ford

Craig is an experienced cyber security professional with various qualifications including two master’s degrees. He is the Head Unicorn (co-founder and director) of Cyber Unicorns, in which he acts as a vCISO to clients such as Baidam Solutions, Wesley Mission, PCYC, Hungry Jacks and Ipswich City Council. He was CTO (Chief Technology Officer) for Baidam Solutions between January 2022 to June 2023, where he led the technical services team, helping to build out the internal services capability for Baidam. Craig was QLD chair for AISA for two years until he was appointed to the national board of directors in December 2022.

Craig is a published author with three different book series – 'A Hacker I Am' cyber education series, 'Foresight' is his Cyber punk/hacker fantasy novel series and then there is 'The Shadow World', a co-authored kids cyber education book. He is a freelance cyber security journalist who is best known for his work on CSO Australia (IDG Communications) which he contributed almost 100 cyber security articles between 2018-2020. He is now a regular columnist with the Women in Security Magazine, as well as a freelance contributor for Cyber Today, Top Cyber News, SecureGov, Careers with STEM and Cyber Australia magazines.

Email: [email protected]

Director - Mark Dorset

Mark Dorset has over 30 years of IT industry experience and is passionate about making the digital landscape better for Australians. Through his executive management experience, he has built a successful sales and consultancy business, and spent 10 years at Apple where he worked on and led privacy initiatives. He is the founder of Australia’s longest running community internet service for non-profit organisations, which has continuously provided services since the early 1990s.

Email: mark.dorset@aisa.org.au

Director - Michael Burchell

Email: [email protected]

Director - David Willett

David has been working in Technology and Cyber Security since 2008. He spent the early years of his career in Canberra providing managed services to various Federal Government departments. He moved to Melbourne in 2017 and has been the CISO for Property Exchange Australia (PEXA) since 2019. In this role, he has grown a grass roots cyber capability that now encompasses over twenty people in two different countries. He enjoys the people element of cyber, which is why he has joined AISA. David is passionate about engaging members to educate and uplift the resilience of the Australian public to the ever-growing threats of cyber criminals. In his spare time David is an online content creator who enjoys podcasting along with creative and professional writing. He is currently studying a degree in creative writing online at Curtin University.

Email: [email protected]