Following a 32-year stint in public service, Lang has announced his retirement. He was previously the national manager for cyber governance, policy and engagement for Services Australia, where he pushed for a continued rollout of a cyber security uplift program.
After he replaced Monique Morgan, the acting assistant secretary of cyber security at the time, Lang also began preparations to consolidate the health and aged care department’s end-to-end cyber operations into a single provider, as part of the same program.
The department received a considerable amount of funding to bolster its information and communication technology infrastructure, including $69.4 million for its critical ICT and cyber security uplift in June 2024, not long after Lang was appointed.
“The department has a focus on implementing best practice cyber security practices and has an in-flight cyber security uplift program,” he said at the time.
“The CISO role supports this continued uplift.”
Now, Lang announced his retirement on LinkedIn, celebrating his long and varied career within the public service.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work across service delivery, law enforcement, election delivery and cyber security – a career that’s been interesting, challenging, varied, and a real privilege,” Lang said on LinkedIn.
“It’s certainly been a wild ride – and I still have the lanyards to prove it.
“My sincere thanks to the many people I’ve worked with along the way. I’ve learned a great deal from all of you, and I’m grateful for the experiences, conversations, and friendships over the years.”
The Department of Health has not yet appointed a new CISO, according to a spokesperson speaking with iTnews, but a recruitment process for the position has begun for a permanent replacement.
Until then, the role has been filled by the department’s deputy CISO, Matt Newman, who will serve as the acting head CISO until a new one is appointed.
Daniel Croft