CREST Appoints New Council Members to Advance Regional Cybersecurity Strategy in Australasia 

Canberra – 21 April 2026 CREST International, the global not-for-profit membership body representing the cybersecurity industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of an expanded Australasia Regional Council for the 2025–2028 term, including several new Council members, reinforcing its commitment to strong regional governance and industry collaboration. 

The Australasia Council plays a pivotal role in representing member interests, shaping regional strategy, and contributing to CREST’s global direction through the International Council. The newly appointed Council reflects a diverse cross-section of the cybersecurity industry, bringing deep technical expertise and strategic leadership from across the region. 

Australasia Council Members (2025–2028): 

Interim Chair: Nigel Phair – Director, Asia Pacific, CREST 

New Council Members: 

• Brendan Smith – Cube Networks 
• Hadi Johari – BDO Australia 
• Martin Dybalski – Parabellum 

Council Members: 

• Jamie O’Reilly – Dvuln 
• Kristofer Bergamaschi – CyberCX 
• Matthew Dobinson – The Missing Link 
• Ray Dussan – AMARU 
• Renae Schilg (co-optee) 

Nick Benson, CEO at CREST, said: 

“Our Regional Councils are critical in ensuring that local perspectives inform our global strategy. This Council brings together a strong combination of technical expertise, industry insight, and leadership that will help strengthen capability, drive collaboration, and deliver meaningful impact across Australasia.” 

Nigel Phair, Interim Chair of the Australasia Council at CREST, added: 

“This Council represents the strength and diversity of the cybersecurity community across Australasia. Together, we will continue to advance professional standards, support capability development, and foster collaboration across industry, government, and academia.” 

Why this matters 

As cyber threats continue to evolve in scale and complexity, regional leadership is essential to ensure that cybersecurity capability keeps pace. The Australasia Council plays a key role in: 

• Enhancing professional development across the sector 
• Supporting regional policy and regulatory engagement 
• Strengthening collaboration between industry, government, and academia 

Through this work, CREST continues to support a trusted and resilient cybersecurity ecosystem across Australasia. 

About CREST 

CREST is an international, not-for-profit membership body representing the global cybersecurity industry. 

Since 2006, CREST has led the cybersecurity community in raising professional and organisational standards across the sector. By accrediting cybersecurity service providers and certifying individual professionals through rigorous, industry-leading examinations, CREST provides confidence to buyers, governments, and regulators alike.