{"id":14872,"date":"2025-09-29T03:51:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T03:51:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newestek.com\/?p=14872"},"modified":"2025-09-29T03:51:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T03:51:09","slug":"cso30-awards-2025-celebrate-australias-top-cybersecurity-leaders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newestek.com\/?p=14872","title":{"rendered":"CSO30 Awards 2025 celebrate Australia\u2019s top cybersecurity leaders"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Australia\u2019s top\u00a0cybersecurity leaders\u00a0and their teams have been recognised at this year\u2019s\u00a0CSO30 Awards.<\/p>\n

Held in conjunction with the\u00a0CIO50<\/a>, the CSO30 Australia Awards is aligned to Foundry\u2019s global awards program and celebrates the leading individuals and organisations delivering\u00a0cybersecurity initiatives\u00a0that have changed the way the business is protected.<\/p>\n

Along with their\u00a0cybersecurity initiatives, nominees were also evaluated based on how they collaborated with and influenced their stakeholders to improve\u00a0cybersecurity and resilience\u00a0within the enterprise. Judges also assessed their contribution to the wider cybersecurity community beyond their organisations.<\/p>\n

At the gala CSO30 celebration event held in Sydney last week, two individuals were recognised with Business Value and Leadership awards for demonstrating outstanding leadership and business value in cybersecurity.<\/p>\n

In the Business Value category,\u00a0Shaun Martin<\/strong> of Aware Super took out the top award. Martin was recognised for his outstanding contributions as a CISO at his organisation. Through a proactive, intelligence-led approach, Shaun has delivered measurable organisational value while protecting the retirement savings of Aware\u2019s 1.1 million Australian members, many of whom are the carers of our society, including nurses, teachers, police officers, firefighters, and paramedics.<\/p>\n

Keyur Lavingia<\/strong> from Village Roadshow was highly commended by the judges in this category. Since joining Village Roadshow, Lavingia has delivered an integrated cybersecurity transformation that has fundamentally strengthened Village\u2019s operational resilience, compliance maturity and risk posture<\/p>\n

In the Leadership category,\u00a0Manasseh Paradesi<\/strong>, formerly of Tyro Payments, took out top place. Paradesi was recognised for his internal and external stakeholder engagement Recognising organisational resilience depends on sustainable expertise, implemented comprehensive
mentoring programs internally and across the broader industry,<\/p>\n

Joss Howard<\/strong> of Scyne Advisory, was also highly commended in this category. During a time of major organisational transformation, Howard built the cyber team from the ground up, prioritising diversity, capability uplift, and sustainable career pathways. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, an emerging cybersecurity leader was recognised with the 2025 Next CISO Award.\u00a0Dun\u00e9 Sookloll<\/strong>, Cyber & Information Security Officer at Horizon Power, was the winner of this award.\u00a0Jumar Pando,<\/strong> Cyber Security Operations Manager at Emeis Cosmetics Pty Ltd (Aesop) was also a finalist in this category.Held in conjunction with the CIO50, the CSO30 Australia Awards form part of Foundry\u2019s global awards program, celebrating the individuals and organisations delivering cybersecurity initiatives that have reshaped how businesses are protected.<\/p>\n

Nominees were evaluated not only on their initiatives, but also on how they collaborated with and influenced stakeholders to strengthen cybersecurity and resilience within their enterprises. Judges also considered their contributions to the wider cybersecurity community.<\/p>\n

At the gala CSO30 celebration in Sydney last week, two individuals were recognised with Business Value and Leadership awards for outstanding contributions to cybersecurity.<\/p>\n

In the Business Value<\/strong> category, Shaun Martin <\/strong>of Aware Super<\/strong> claimed the top award. Martin was recognised for his proactive, intelligence-led approach as CISO, which has delivered measurable organisational value while protecting the retirement savings of Aware\u2019s members \u2013 including many of society\u2019s carers such as nurses, teachers, police officers, firefighters, and paramedics.<\/p>\n

Keyur Lavingia <\/strong>of Village Roadshow<\/strong> was highly commended in this category. Since joining the organisation, Lavingia has led an integrated cybersecurity transformation that has significantly strengthened operational resilience, compliance maturity, and risk posture.<\/p>\n

In the Leadership<\/strong> category, Manasseh Paradesi<\/strong>, formerly of Tyro Payments, took the top honour. Recognising that organisational resilience depends on sustainable expertise, Paradesi championed stakeholder engagement and implemented comprehensive mentoring programs both internally and across the broader industry.<\/p>\n

Joss Howard <\/strong>of Scyne Advisory<\/strong> was highly commended in this category. During a period of major organisational transformation, Howard built the cyber team from the ground up, with a focus on diversity, capability uplift, and sustainable career pathways.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, an emerging leader was recognised with the 2025 Next CISO Award<\/strong>. Dun\u00e9 Sookloll<\/strong>, Cyber & Information Security Officer at Horizon Power, won this year\u2019s award, with Jumar Pando<\/strong>, Cyber Security Operations Manager at Emeis Cosmetics Pty Ltd (Aesop), also named as a finalist.<\/p>\n

CSO30 Australia Awards 2025 honourees (in alphabetical order)*:<\/strong><\/p>\n