Shannon Lorimer, Chief Information Security Officer at KPMG Australia, has been named Australia’s “Most Outstanding Woman in IT Security” at the prestigious 2025 Australian Women in Security Awards. The NSW Government-sponsored recognition highlights her exceptional contributions to cybersecurity leadership and enterprise risk management, areas critical to homeland security infrastructure and national cyber resilience.
Transforming Enterprise Cybersecurity at Scale
Lorimer was selected from over 120 nominees for her leadership of a comprehensive, multi-year security transformation project that has significantly strengthened KPMG Australia’s cyber defense capabilities. The initiative established one of the most robust internal security frameworks across the firm’s global network, demonstrating scalable approaches to enterprise cybersecurity that have implications for critical infrastructure protection.
“Shannon doesn’t just lead with humility, she lifts everyone around her,” said John Munnelly, KPMG’s Chief Digital Officer. “She brings people with her, listens deeply, and creates space for others to grow.”
Securing Emerging Technologies and AI Integration
Lorimer played a pivotal role in safely introducing artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, including Microsoft Co-Pilot, while developing security frameworks that balance innovation with protection. This approach to emerging technology risk management offers valuable insights for government agencies and critical infrastructure operators navigating similar digital transformation challenges.
The award citation recognized her “pioneering transformation, innovative data loss prevention, and secure enablement of new technologies,” capabilities increasingly essential for protecting sensitive government data and maintaining operational security in hybrid work environments.
Building Resilient Security Teams and Culture
Lorimer stands as the only female Chief Information Security Officer across KPMG’s global member firms, bringing unique perspective to cybersecurity leadership. Her commitment to mentoring professionals from non-technical backgrounds and building diverse, high-performing security teams addresses critical workforce challenges facing the homeland security sector.
“Being the only woman in the room was tough at times,” Lorimer reflected. “But I’ve always seen those challenges as a chance to make things better, for myself and for others.”
Industry Recognition and Future Implications
Australian Women in Security Awards creator Abigail Swabey emphasized that winners demonstrate “technical expertise, leadership, community commitment, and a passion for addressing cyber issues” while driving innovation and influencing security policies. For homeland security professionals, Lorimer’s recognition signals important trends in cybersecurity leadership that prioritize collaborative, people-first approaches to building cyber resilience.
The Australian Women in Security Awards, now in their sixth year, continue to spotlight leaders whose work shapes the future of cybersecurity, a critical component of national security infrastructure.