As Telstra’s Global Chief Information Security Officer, Narelle is responsible
for the company’s cyber security operations, intelligence, risk, governance, compliance,
development, engagement, national security, law enforcement liaison and physical
security. Narelle balances her work commitments with raising her children Lily and George
with husband, Michael.
Narelle joined the Royal Australian Navy at 17, qualifying as a Principal Warfare Officer
in 2001. She eventually assumed the role of the Navy’s first Director Cyber Warfare before
leaving in 2016 to pursue her next chapter in the public service where she was appointed
the Chief Information Security Officer for the Department of Human Services. In the four
years 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.