Appointing a Compliance Officer: Role-Based Training for Australia’s Cyber Security Act 2024

Australian businesses face increasing obligations to secure systems and data. As cyber threats evolve and regulatory requirements expand, organisations must demonstrate accountability across their operations.

One of the most practical steps to build this accountability is appointing a dedicated Compliance Officer. ****This role is more than a box-ticking exercise.

The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) highlights the importance of clear ownership and role-based responsibilities when it comes to meeting compliance requirements under the Cyber Security Act 2024.

A Compliance Officer acts as a focal point between leadership, operational teams, and external regulators. Their purpose is to oversee how policies translate into action, ensure ongoing compliance with cybersecurity requirements, and help reduce risk exposure from user error or process gaps.

Most regulating bodies in Australia recommend formally assigning a role responsible for cybersecurity oversight. The Australian Cyber Security Centre advises organisations to “assign roles and responsibilities for implementing the mitigation strategies”

Appointing the right person and equipping them with targeted training can strengthen your security posture and reduce the chance of regulatory penalties or business disruption.

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Why a Dedicated Compliance Officer Matters for Regulatory Success

Many businesses rely on IT security firms to handle compliance requirements, from configuring controls to managing audits. Working with an experienced partner, such as Superior IT, provides clear direction, technical expertise, and guidance on meeting Australia’s regulations. However, without someone internal to own coordination and record-keeping, important details can still slip through the cracks.

When no one inside the organisation is formally assigned to oversee compliance activities, responsibility tends to become fragmented. Finance might handle audit records, operations manage supply chain security, and IT monitors patching and incident response. This division often slows decision-making and creates confusion about who is accountable when issues arise.

Assigning a Compliance Officer ensures there is a single point of contact who understands your environment and works closely with your IT security partner. This role keeps documentation current, tracks regulatory updates, and streamlines correspondence with auditors and regulators. Staff also know whom to approach for guidance, making it easier to embed security expectations into everyday processes.

Regulators look for evidence that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and maintained over time. For businesses in sectors like critical infrastructure, having an internal Compliance Officer demonstrates commitment and readiness.

Combined with support from a trusted IT security firm, this structure helps your organisation stay compliant, organised, and prepared to respond effectively when obligations change.

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Core Duties of a Compliance Officer under Australian Law

The scope of this role will vary depending on your size and sector. However, there are core functions most Compliance Officers share.

• They maintain policies aligned to relevant laws and standards, such as the Privacy Act, the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act, Cybersecurity Act 2024 and ASD Essential Eight. They also monitor internal controls, oversee staff training, and coordinate incident response processes.
• A Compliance Officer reviews audit logs, works with IT teams to assess vulnerabilities, and ensures that any gaps are documented and addressed.
• They engage with third-party vendors to confirm that contractual security obligations are met. In smaller businesses, the role may also include maintaining records for insurance purposes or responding to client security questionnaires.

Crucially, this is not a static role. Regulations change, threat landscapes shift, and business models evolve. Ongoing professional development and training are essential to keep the Compliance Officer informed and capable of adapting policies to stay current.

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Integrating a Compliance Officer into Your Broader Security Strategy

Assigning a Compliance Officer should be part of a wider commitment to layered security. A strong compliance function depends on up-to-date policies, effective technical controls, and a framework for continual improvement.

For example, combining this role with solutions such as DefenderSuite Plans can help align your technical safeguards with policy objectives. DefenderSuite Plans include tools and services that support compliance, such as endpoint protection, identity management, and automated reporting.

If your business operates in sectors with critical infrastructure or handles sensitive data, consider appointing a Compliance Officer with experience in your industry. Their familiarity with sector-specific risks and regulatory nuances will help streamline compliance efforts and avoid delays when obligations change.

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4-Step Plan to Nominate and Empower Your Compliance Officer

Assigning a Compliance Officer is a practical investment in both regulatory readiness and long-term business resilience. It demonstrates to clients, partners, and regulators that your business is prepared to meet its obligations with clarity and professionalism. Here are the recommended steps to assign one within your business.

1. Define Your Regulatory Scope (Cyber Security Act, Privacy Act, SOCI)Start by documenting the specific compliance requirements relevant to your organisation. This may include legislation, industry standards, and contractual obligations. Some common regulations and frameworks to consider are:
   • Cybersecurity Act 2024 – Establishes updated requirements for managing cybersecurity risks and reporting incidents across Australian industries.
   • Privacy Act 1988 – Sets out how personal information must be handled in Australia.
   • Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 – Regulates security obligations for critical infrastructure sectors.
2. Select and Authorise the Right Candidate
3. Look for a person with the authority, experience, and communication skills to drive compliance initiatives across teams. Ideally, this candidate should have a background in risk management or cybersecurity compliance. Make sure they have a clear mandate from leadership to enforce policies and request resources. Assign formal responsibilities in their job description so expectations are unambiguous.
4. Build a Targeted Role-Based Training Program
5. Work with external advisors or your managed service provider to identify training resources tailored to your compliance environment. Include modules on relevant regulations, your organisation’s specific controls, and common risks such as user error or third-party breaches. Empower Your Team with Cyber Security Training with DefenderSuite
6. Review, Report and Update Continually
7. Schedule periodic reviews to confirm the role remains effective, policies stay current, and training reflects emerging threats.  Update policies, training materials, and workflows to reflect emerging threats and new technologies. Keep records of all reviews and changes so you can demonstrate an ongoing commitment to compliance if regulators request evidence.

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Assigning a Compliance Officer is a practical investment in both regulatory readiness and long-term business resilience. It demonstrates to clients, partners, and regulators that your business is prepared to meet its obligations with clarity and professionalism. For more information, read ASD’s Guidelines for cybersecurity roles.

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FAQ: Compliance Officers & Australia’s Cyber Security Act 2024

Q1. What does a Compliance Officer do under Australia’s Cyber Security Act 2024?

A Compliance Officer is the focal point between leadership, operational teams and external regulators. They translate cyber-security policies into daily action, monitor controls, and keep the business audit-ready for the Act’s reporting and risk-management requirements.

Q2. Is appointing a Compliance Officer mandatory?

While the Act doesn’t prescribe a job title, regulators expect a clearly assigned role that owns cyber-security compliance. Formalising the position demonstrates accountability and satisfies the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s guidance to “assign roles and responsibilities for implementing mitigation strategies.”

Q3. What qualifications or skills should the role have?

Look for experience in risk or cyber-security compliance, strong communication skills, and the authority to enforce policies. Familiarity with Australian frameworks such as the ASD Essential Eight and sector-specific laws (e.g., SOCI Act 2018) is a plus.

Q4. What are the core responsibilities day-to-day?

• Maintain policies aligned with the Cyber Security Act 2024, Privacy Act 1988 and SOCI Act 2018.
• Oversee role-based training for staff.
• Monitor internal controls, vulnerability assessments and incident logs.
• Coordinate audits and keep evidence ready for regulators.

Q5. How does role-based training help meet the Act’s obligations?

Targeted training equips the Compliance Officer (and wider team) to interpret regulations, manage controls correctly and answer auditor questions with confidence—reducing the risk of fines or disruption.

Q6. How often should training be updated?

Schedule reviews at least annually—or sooner if the threat landscape or legislation changes—to keep modules relevant and to prove “continuous improvement” during compliance reviews.

Q7. What records must be kept for auditors?

Maintain a centralised log of:

• Training completion certificates,
• Policy versions and change history,
• Incident response actions and remediation steps,
• Third-party security assurances.
• Clear documentation shows regulators the business is “prepared to meet its obligations with clarity and professionalism.”

Q8. Can we outsource the Compliance Officer role?

Small firms often partner with managed service providers for technical controls, but regulators still want one internal point of contact who owns coordination and record-keeping. You can delegate tasks, yet accountability must remain inside the business.

Q9. How does this role interact with Australia’s Privacy Act 1988 and SOCI Act 2018?

The Compliance Officer ensures policies map to all applicable laws. For example, personal-data handling under the Privacy Act, critical-infrastructure obligations under the SOCI Act, and incident-reporting timelines under the Cyber Security Act must align into a single controls framework.

Q10. What are the consequences of non-compliance?

Penalties range from infringement notices to enforceable undertakings—and, for serious breaches, significant civil fines or licence restrictions. A dedicated Compliance Officer helps avoid these outcomes by keeping the organisation proactive and audit-ready.

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Need Help Managing Australia’s Compliance Obligations?

Superior IT helps Australian businesses build strong compliance foundations with clear role definitions, targeted user training, and security solutions aligned to your industry and regulatory requirements.

If you need expert guidance or managed support to strengthen your compliance capability, talk to our team. Discover how DefenderSuite and structured training can help you stay secure, organised, and prepared to meet your compliance commitments.

Call Us to Get Started: 1300 93 77 49

Email: info@superiorit.com.au

Website: www.superiorit.com.au

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