Prof. Sean Maynard

Professor

The University of Melbourne / Melbourne Security Associates

Professor Sean Maynard is a cybersecurity specialist in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Melbourne. His expertise encompasses cybersecurity governance, information systems, and organisational incident response. His research investigates organisational responses to cyber incidents, employing sensemaking theory to advance understanding of incident response processes. Professor Maynard brings distinctive cross-cultural expertise, with comprehensive knowledge of Australian and Malaysian regulatory environments, including data protection frameworks and compliance requirements. He contributes extensively to academic discourse through peer review for leading cybersecurity journals and conferences, recognised for rigorous methodological evaluation.

As Associate Dean, Academic, Professor Maynard holds significant administrative responsibilities within the Faculty, in addition to serving as Deputy Chair of the University’s Academic Programmes Committee. Professor Maynard’s current focus includes developing measurable learning outcomes for cybersecurity education, creating board-level security governance reporting frameworks, and advancing director accountability in cyber risk management. His commitment to bridging academic rigour with industry practice positions him as a thought leader in cybersecurity governance and education. Complementing his academic role, Professor Maynard operates a boutique cybersecurity consulting practice providing PhD-level strategic advisory services. His consultancy specialises in board-level cybersecurity governance and executive decision-making frameworks, emphasising the distinction between corporate and security governance. This dual perspective enriches his teaching and research, grounding theoretical insights in practical application.