Heritage Bank appoints Mikhail Lopushanski as chief information security officer

The bank has strengthened its IT defences with the appointment of Mikhail Lopushanski as chief information security officer.

Lopushanski has more than 30 years' experience in strategic planning, governance, audit, risk, and information security, including the past 10 years as Australian Prudential Regulation Authority chief security officer.

Originally from Canada, he has worked in his home country, the United Kingdom and Australia.

Heritage CEO Peter Lock welcomes Lopushanski's appointment and is excited by the impact he will 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," Lock says.

"His experience and insight will be invaluable as we work to grow our information security capabilities in what is an ever-changing field."

Lopushanski is 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," Lopushanski says.

"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.

"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.