Punnen Syriac

Partner – Cybersecurity | Digital Privacy & Trust | Deloitte Australia
Melbourne, Australia
LinkedIn | www.psyriac.com

Executive Summary

Cybersecurity and Digital Identity executive with 18+ years of experience advising ASX-listed companies, government, and global enterprises. Currently a Partner at Deloitte Australia, leading national Digital Identity services and contributing to firm-wide cyber strategy. Proven track record in building practices, delivering major programs, and influencing at CxO and board level.

Areas of Expertise

  • Digital Identity
  • Customer Identity & Access Management
  • Identity Verification
  • Identity Lifecycle Governance & Administration
  • Privileged Access Management
  • Cybersecurity Strategy
  • Technology Risk & Regulatory Alignment
  • Platform Modernisation & Zero Trust Architectures
  • Executive Advisory & CxO Engagement
  • Sales and Delivery Leadership | Alliance Management | GTM
  • Talent Development

Professional Experience

Deloitte Australia – Melbourne, VIC

Partner – Digital Privacy & Trust
2022 – Present

  • Lead Deloitte Australia’s Digital Identity market offering, with oversight of sales strategy, delivery quality, and alliance relationships (SailPoint, CyberArk, Okta, Ping, Daon, Transmit).
  • Spearheaded marquee transformation programs in wealth & asset management, health, and logistics — including CIAM migrations, IGA & PAM programs, M&A identity integrations, and national passwordless rollouts.
  • Helped build a high-performing cross-functional team of ~130 professionals across Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.
  • Drove YoY revenue growth; consistently recognised in the top quartile of Partner performance metrics.

KPMG Australia – Melbourne, VIC

Director – Digital Trust
2015 – 2022

  • Scaled Digital Identity from startup phase to a core cybersecurity service in Victoria.
  • Led major IAM, data protection, and tech risk engagements.
  • Advised CIOs and CISOs during complex M&A and cloud transformation programs.

Hewlett Packard – Melbourne, VIC

Senior Consultant → Manager → Portfolio Lead
2009 – 2015

  • Delivered enterprise-scale solutions in Business Intelligence, GIS, and API Security.
  • Built foundational capabilities that informed later work in cybersecurity strategy.

Education & Certifications

  • Master of Management, Monash Business School – 2016
  • Bachelor of Technology – Electronics & Telecommunications, Anna University – 2006
  • SABSA Certified

Community Involvement

  • Alumni Mentor, Monash University
  • Frequent Speaker and Panelist on Digital Identity and Cybersecurity
  • Diversity Advocacy

Thought Leadership & Media

  • “Identity in the Trenches” – Panelist, SailPoint Identity Day, 2025
  • “The Future of Citizen Identity: Building Trust by Enhancing Security” – Speaker, Victorian Cybersecurity Showcase, 2024
  • “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility” – Speaker, CyberArk IMPACT 2023
  • “The Future of Identity & Access Management” – Co-author, KPMG, 2022