Independent information security specialist CQR Consulting has strengthened its Melbourne office by appointing senior sales executive Beverley Roche to a business development role.

With comprehensive experience from the big end of town, including Compuware Asia-Pacific, KAZ Technology Solutions, IBM Australia and BHP IT, Beverley is charged with Information Security Business Development, a brief that includes developing business opportunities and account management for CQR on the eastern seaboard.

Beverley’s most recent position involved working in the Compuware application lifecycle business, dealing with major organisations that wanted to ensure the security of applications and data that were being “offshored”.

With practical experience working in the sector and after successfully completing a post-graduate certificate in e-Crime from Melbourne University, Beverley’s role is to manage accounts, identify opportunities and to build the business. “It’s about establishing a greater presence in Melbourne and accelerating our growth in Sydney,” she said.

“We already have projects under way in Melbourne and major business in Sydney, so my role is about developing business opportunities for CQR along the eastern seaboard. I’ve had 20-plus years of sales, account management and business development experience. My strengths are in understanding and communicating the business benefits of sound information security to executive management.”

Founded in 2004, CQR Consulting delivers independent information security services, without the need to sell computer hardware, software or other technology services. The Australian-owned company, with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and overseas, provides an “honest broker” for organisations often caught between the competing claims of incumbent vendors.

Beverley’s appointment in Melbourne complements the existing information security specialists who work out of the Victorian office.

Beverley said the CQR team possessed a good cross-section of expertise spanning all areas of information security risk. “Our expertise addresses everything from the technical elements of Information Security – such as penetration testing and application security testing – right up to the strategic issues such as business continuity, compliance and governance.” she said.

“CQR is vendor-independent, with a great reputation at some of the tier one banks. We are creating a great platform for growth on the eastern seaboard. The market is growing quickly and we are responsive, fast to execute and have deep expertise in information security.”

CQR managing director David Simpson said Beverley brought a wealth of knowledge and professional sales experience to the Melbourne office. “Beverley will balance up the mix of skills, so that we are best positioned to meet the ongoing needs of our customers,” he said.