Our Team
Bastion Security Group aims to provide excellence throughout our engagement process. We utilise only the best personnel available in the market to ensure our clients receive the best. We engage our clients throughout and provide comprehensive and readable reports.
Bastion’s professional staff include OSCP, SABSA, CISA, CISSP and PCI-QSA certified consultants, experienced account managers and a dedicated management team with a passion for cyber security.
CREST Certified
We are a CREST certified member company which means we have demonstrated our competency and consistency when it comes to the services we deliver, as well as a level of legal and regulatory knowledge. We also have several CREST certified testers within the team.
PCI Qualified Security Assessors
Our experienced consultants include Qualified Security Assessors (QSAs), who can assist you with your PCI audit scoping, gap analysis, tabletop exercises Self-Assessment Questionnaire, or identifying any changes between PCI DSS versions that might impact you.
DIA Marketplace Supplier
Bastion is an Approved Supplier on the DIA Marketplace for the following services:
- Information Security Risk Management and Assessment
- Information Security Governance and Strategy
- Information Security Assurance
- Source Code, Application Review and Technical Testing
- ICT Security Incident Response, Investigation and Forensics
Executive Team
Eugene Gibney is the Chief Executive Officer of Bastion Security Group. Eugene has worked extensively in numerous markets including Ireland, the UK, New Zealand and Australia. Eugene has worked with both government and private sector clients, most recently with some of New Zealand’s largest organisations including leading players in financial, telecommunications, utility and government sectors. His technical background coupled with governance and compliance experience provides a very good balance between technical understanding and business requirements.
Simon Howard is the Chief Technology Officer for Bastion Security Group. Simon has been active in the New Zealand information security space for almost two decades and also co-founded and assists with running New Zealand’s largest hacker conference, Kawaiicon (previously known as Kiwicon). Simon holds a number of cyber security advisory positions and has completed the Institute of Directors Companies Directors Course.
Sam serves as the Chief Strategy Officer at Bastion, where he plays a key role in leading our team of consultants to deliver quality outcomes for our clients. With over 20 years of experience in IT, Sam’s expertise lies in collaborating with government and enterprise clients to effectively identify and manage risk. His approach focuses on pragmatic, actionable advice for our clients. Sam also leads our Service Delivery team working to continually enhance operational processes and deliver great client experiences.
Jill Thorburn is the Chief People Officer for Bastion Security Group. Jill has extensive experience spanning 30 years in the ICT industry, covering software design, development, testing and quality assurance, and was a co-owner of a software development company, before shifting focus to people management for the last half of her career. Jill brings a people-first attitude to business, recognising that people are at the heart of what we do and ensuring the systems, practices and processes are in place to allow people to succeed and achieve their potential.
Andrew Simkin is the Chief Operating Officer for Bastion Security Group. As a leader, strategic thinker, and operational expert, Andrew brings extensive experience in building and scaling business operations across various industries. His expertise spans financial management, creating high-performing teams, driving product strategy and innovation, and systems architecture and governance. He thrives in dynamic environments, leveraging his strong background in financial, commercial, and corporate management.
Mike is the Group Chief Financial Officer at Bastion Security Group, having joined the company in September 2023. He brings over two decades of global finance experience. His most recent role was as Head of Finance & Planning at ACC in Wellington and prior to that much of his career was spent at Credit Suisse, where he led the as a Director in the CFO Division . His international tenure included roles in Dublin, London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore and India, giving him a global perspective on finance. As Chartered Accountant since 2003, Mike is passionate about the role of Finance as a strategic partner—working closely with the businesses to drive informed decision-making and enhance financial performance. Away from the office, Mike keeps a busy family life with his wife and three active boys, and enjoys playing tennis, running, keeping bees and DIY in his spare time.