Congratulations to our very own Steve Challans for winning the ICT Professional of the Year in the 2014 South Australian and Northern Territory iAwards.

Awarded to an ICT industry professional for outstanding innovation, commitment and achievement in their field and dedication to promoting the ICT profession. The ICT industry is made up of tens of thousands of professionals covering a myriad of disciplines from the technical to the academic, all of whom are integral to its ongoing viability and sustainability in an increasingly competitive environment.

These professionals are often renowned for their outstanding innovation, commitment and achievement in their field and their dedication to promoting the ICT profession has helped build ICT in Australia into a world leader which is envied by many countries.

Steve has over 25 years experience in the IT field, including technical and senior IT roles in commercial organisations. This experience includes over 15 years specialised in Information Security in senior roles for services organisations. Steve is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP), Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), Payment Card Industry Professional (PCIP), has worked as a PCI Qualified Security Assessor (PCI-QSA) and is an ISO27001 Lead Auditor. He combines excellent communications skills with a solid technical background and an outstanding knowledge of IT practices and principles, enabling him to translate strategic objectives into practical and operable IT systems.

Steve adopts a risk-based approach to tailor security frameworks to the size and situation of his client. He has experience in IT governance principles, COBIT, ISO27001 ISMS frameworks, PCI DSS Compliance, corporate security policies, standards, and procedures, network and server security, SDLC, ITIL, Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery, and implementing SIEM logging and auditing solutions.

Steve will go on to compete at the national iAwards on 27th and 28th August with the winners being announced on Friday, 29 August in Melbourne.