Heritage appoints new Chief Information Security Officer
19 July 2022
Heritage Bank has strengthened its IT defences with the appointment of Mikhail Lopushanski as its new Chief Information Security Officer.
Mr Lopushanski has more than 30 years’ experience in strategic planning, governance, audit, risk, and information security, including the past 10 years as Chief Security Officer at the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. Originally from Canada, he has worked in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Heritage CEO Peter Lock welcomed Mr Lopushanski’s appointment and was excited by the impact he would have on boosting Heritage’s data security and digital defences.
“I’m pleased Mikhail has joined the Heritage team as his knowledge of information security in the banking industry is impressive following his 10-year tenure at APRA,” Mr Lock said.
“His experience and insight will be invaluable as we work to grow our information security capabilities in what is an ever-changing field.”
Mr Lopushanski was thrilled to join Heritage given its passion for mutuality and supporting the communities in which it operates, and at such an exciting time given the potential merger between Heritage and People’s Choice Credit Union.
“I was looking for the next challenge and I have been selective about where I wanted to work. I wanted a dynamic Australian organisation with close ties to the community and a financial institution. With the potential merger, Heritage is a dynamic organisation. It’s certainly what I was looking for,” he said.
“Heritage has done a lot in regards to security but it is an ongoing journey. We always need to be proactive in this space to protect our members.”
Mr Lopushanski holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics with specialisation in information systems and accounting, is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a number of industry certifications including Certified Information Systems Auditor and Manager.
He has started in his role with Heritage and will be based in Brisbane.
