Darren Booth joins RSM's consulting arm from Protiviti

After twelve years at Protiviti, Darren Booth has left the firm to join the consulting arm of RSM. 

Booth has been appointed as a Partner and National Head of Cyber Security & Privacy Risk Consulting at RSM, succeeding Michael Shatter, who had previously established and developed the service line.

The new Partner brings some 17 years of experience in risk advisory, IT internal audit, technology risk consulting and data analytics to the firm. Prior to serving Protiviti in Melbourne and previously in London, Booth worked nearly four years for Deloitte in the United Kingdom.

At RSM, a top 10 accounting and advisory firm globally, he will lead the team that helps clients improve their security processes, technologies, and capacity to strengthen their digital frontiers, with a focus on medium to large size enterprises and the public sector.

Commenting on his responsibility, Booth said, “I am responsible for leading an extensive range of technology risk projects, from technical security reviews with vulnerability assessments and penetration tests, security architecture, cloud security, data privacy, digital forensics & incident response through to cyber/information security governance and framework risk assessments.” 

The appointment comes a time of heightened interest in cyber security demand, on the back of a growing threats landscape. According to a recent BDO study, protecting operations and complying with a range of new regulatory guidelines that have emerged in recent years are the top two priorities of cyber leaders. 

Meanwhile, former practice leader Michael Shatter has been appointed Head of Probity Advisory & Assurance Services, reflective of his more than 26 years’ experience in delivering probity services. Shatter has contributed as the probity adviser and auditor on some of Australia’s largest privatisation projects, including the privatisation of the electricity state-owned enterprises in New South Wales. Before joining RSM in 2004, Shatter served PwC for eleven years.

Jamie O’Rourke, RSM’s National Chairman for Australia, said that both partners would continue to work closely together as the firm grows its risk consulting service team. “Risk consulting is a growing area as Australian organisations look to manage risk and governance, especially cyber risk, in more comprehensive and effective ways. Michael Shatter and Darren Booth both have a deep wealth of experience and knowledge that RSM’s clients can rely on to help them manage risk innovatively and successfully.”