Tara Dharnikota

Tara Dharnikotais the CISO at Victoria University, responsible for cyber and physical security, risk and assurance and business resilience. With a foundation in network engineering and extensive security experience, she has worked across sectors including financial services, telecoms, e-conveyancing and higher education, leading high-performing teams in threat intelligence, offensive security, strategy, risk, governance and culture. Her career spans senior leadership in highly regulated industries, notably at PEXA and Telstra. Tara also advises national security forums and higher education institutions and serves on the Victorian Committee for AISA. She is passionate about empowering people, fostering inclusive, secure environments and embedding resilience at the heart of organisational strategy.