Building Cyber Resilience Through Purpose-Driven Leadership

In Conversation with... 
Prashant Singh 
Manager, Cyber Security, Department of Education 

What are the top three skills you use daily? 

I rely on strategic decision-making, effective stakeholder engagement and proactive risk management to drive outcomes. These skills help me stay ahead of evolving cyber threats while aligning security strategies with broader organisational goals. 

How can public sector organisations work collaboratively to strengthen a country’s cyber security? 

Collaboration is essential. Public sector organisations can bolster national cyber resilience through threat intelligence sharing, policy alignment and joint simulation exercises. Building trust across agencies and forging strong public-private partnerships creates a more agile, informed, and coordinated defence posture. 

As public interest and awareness grows in data privacy, how should public sector organisations respond? 

Agencies must lead with transparency and accountability. By being clear about how data is handled, embedding strong privacy protections and engaging the public consistently, organisations can build trust. The PRIS Act in WA exemplifies this approach, mandating privacy risk assessments and breach reporting to foster confidence in responsible data use. 

What advice would you give to cyber security professionals looking to grow their careers? 

Be clear about why you’re in this field. Build deep technical knowledge, but don’t stop there—develop leadership capabilities and seek broader experience. Join networks like AISA or ISACA, stay on top of new threats and take advantage of leadership programmes. Most importantly, always think about the impact you can make on the nation’s cyber safety. 

How can AI and automation enable stronger cyber defence? 

AI and automation are transforming cyber defence—not by replacing people, but by amplifying our capabilities. They help us detect threats faster, identify hidden patterns and automate repetitive tasks, freeing up analysts to focus where it matters most. But it’s not just about tech—it takes mature processes, quality data and human oversight to turn automation into real risk reduction. 

Session Teaser 

What’s the secret ingredient to your project's success? 
The secret ingredient to the success of the cyber programmes I’ve led is truly understanding and communicating the value we bring to the business. 

When security is seen not just as a cost or barrier, but as an enabler of business goals, it changes everything. 

I’m passionate about driving strong collaboration, keeping communication clear and honest, and leading with focus and flexibility—so we manage risk effectively while empowering the organisation to grow and succeed securely. 

Prashant will be speaking at the Government Cyber Security Showcase WA on 21 Aug 2025, on the panel "Creating a Cyber-Resilient Public Sector - Collaborative Discussion on Priorities for 2025 and Beyond."  Join us for these insightful sessions!