Lalitha Ponnudurai is a highly accomplished cybersecurity and risk executive with 20+ years of global experience across governance, risk, compliance, resilience, data privacy and security. She has successfully led complex transformation programs across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Asia and Africa, partnering with high-profile organisations across a wide range of sectors including Government, Financial Services, Healthcare, Pharmaceutical & Social Assistance, Education & Training, Technology, Media & Telecommunications, Retail & Consumer Goods, Real Estate, Manufacturing, Mining, NFP, Oil & Gas, Automotive, Transportation & Logistics, Agriculture & Plantation, Industrial and others.

She holds multiple industry-recognised certifications and brings a rare dual perspective, having served as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and as a Director in tier-one consulting, with experience across Big 4 and boutique professional services firms, all trusted names in the Australian market. This combination of internal leadership and external advisory experience enables her to understand the challenges and expectations on both sides of the table. Recognised for her ability to bridge strategy and execution, Lalitha brings a strong blend of technical acumen, regulatory insight and business alignment to every engagement.

In her current role as Director of GRC and Field CISO at Cybertify, Lalitha leads the organisation’s strategic efforts to help clients navigate an increasingly complex and dynamic cyber landscape with clarity, resilience and assurance. Serving as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and boards, she plays a critical role in shaping secure, compliant and future-ready digital ecosystems. As a Field CISO, she works closely with clients to advise on cyber strategy, incident preparedness, regulatory alignment and resilience planning ensuring they are equipped to manage evolving threats with confidence. Her leadership is grounded in a pragmatic, hands-on philosophy, focused on cultivating high-performing teams and advancing cybersecurity maturity aligned with globally recognised best practices.

A holistic thinker and natural collaborator, Lalitha is known for translating strategic vision into clear, actionable roadmaps that drive meaningful, business-aligned outcomes. She is widely respected for her ability to challenge conventional thinking, promote innovation and foster a culture of transparency and integrity at all levels of an organisation.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Lalitha is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in cybersecurity. She is a recognised role model for women in leadership, actively mentoring emerging female talent through both formal programs and grassroots initiatives aimed at building a more inclusive and equitable future in cyber.