Management Team

Nick Ellsmore, B.Com(ISM) CISSP GAICD

Nick is Co-Founder, CEO & Principal Consultant of SIFT. Nick is one of Australia's leading experts in the IT security governance environment, lecturing at leading Universities on the regulation of information security. Nick has consulted widely to Australian and International public and private sector organisations, has completed the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification, and also holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from UNSW.

He was an Australian delegate to the APEC TEL e-Security Task Group (eSTG), at TEL29 in Hong Kong, TEL30 in Singapore, TEL32 in South Korea, and TEL33 in Canada, and the Security & Prosperity Steering Group (SPSG) at TEL35 in the Philippines, TEL36 in Chile and TEL37 in Japan. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors' (AICD) Company Director's Course and was involved in the Standards Australia committee developing AS 8015 - the Australian standard for ICT Governance.


Edward Carroll, BA.Comm Dip.PM BS7799.2 MAICD AIMM

Edward is a Co-Founder and Non-Executive Director of SIFT. Edward is an acomplished project and operations strategist having planned, implmented and supported complex operations in banking/finance, government, construction, and SMEs as well as for the United Nations in the post-conflict / emergency humanitarian situations of Afghanistan, South Sudan and Tsunami-affected Indonesia.

With a background in Communications and New Media, Edward has been responsible for corporate strategy, brand & project development and corporate communications. He is a certified BS7799.2 Lead Auditor, a certified PMBoK and PRINCE 2 practitioner and is an active member of both the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian Institute of Management.


Michael Baker, G17799

Michael is Client Director of SIFT's Melbourne practice, is a sought after international speaker and workshop leader, and is a GIAC certified ISO17799 specialist for information security and risk management.

Michael has been involved in the APEC TEL working group for more than 15 years and the e-Security Task Group (eSTG) since its inception in 1998, providing expert advice to member economies through presentations, committee work and project management for some of TEL's most significant projects related to electronic commerce and online security. Michael served as chair of the eSTG at TEL 32 in Korea.

In the role of Managing Director for the internationally recognized, not-for-profit organization AOEMA, Michael took on the challenge of establishing a "Culture of Security" for the online environment by organizing seminars and workshops in 20 different countries and developing the "Safety" series of booklets, written specifically for non-technical users. The series includes Safety Net, Safety Mail, Safety Wireless and Broadband for Everyone.


Ashlee Ball, DIP. RMSP

Ashlee is Client Director of SIFT’s Sydney office, and brings a deep understanding of client needs analysis and a strong service ethic with a technology bias.

Ashlee has over 15 years experience in the IT industry, with specific experience in carrier, vendor and consulting environments. She has designed, project managed and delivered complex IT solutions and appreciates the value of consultation and communication in all aspects of business operations. She has a broad experience working with senior management of Australia’s and New Zealand’s largest corporate and government entities.

Ashlee was identified as a mentor for young women wishing to enter the IT industry, and was profiled on a youth television program. She has delivered keynote addresses on such topics as the Validity of VoIP and the Direction of Callcentre technology at Federal Government sponsored presentations aimed at Small to Medium business Australia wide.