Jared Licht

Jared Licht was appointed the NZDF CISO in 2017. Jared has 25 years of experience in both private and public sector environments. Jared has significant experience in the All-of-Government space, having both worked for the GCIO as an engagement manager/assurance advisor/portfolio manager and also as a consultant to the GCIO/GCDO in the areas of supply chain risk, information sharing for business and operating model design. He has also led different workstreams of large scale projects and programmes in IT, digital and business transformation.

Jared has also consulted across government on everything from the New Zealand Business Number, to the All-of-Government Supply chain risk management. He has also developed operating models for several government agencies, including the GCIO/GCDO

In 2012 Mr Licht was part of the team that lead the engagement and development of the first ICT Strategy for New Zealand Government. He was also seconded onto the Ministerial Inquiry into Novopay, leading several areas of the inquiry, including change management, programme management, implementation and post implementation support.

As the NZDF CISO, he sets the strategy for information and cyber security capabilities, including building security into the whole NZDF capability and agile delivery lifecycle. During his tenure he has focused on achieving greater visibility of information and cyber security as a capability rather than just a technical competency.

Jared has driven the development of the NZDF Cyber Strategy including defining seven key strategic outcomes that will develop and enhance the NZDF’s defensive cyber capabilities. He works closely with the capability implementation teams to ensure effective and enhanced defensive cyber capabilities will be delivered.

Mr Licht prefers to be a generalist and enjoys being able to discuss a range of topics and disciplines based on his exposure to several disciplines over his career.