Derek Nelson

Derek Nelson is a seasoned Cyber Security Architect with extensive experience in risk and information security consulting. Currently serving in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment since July 2025, Derek has also held significant roles including Director at Djinn Consulting Limited since November 2014, and Lead Security Assurance Advisor at Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency from December 2023 to July 2025. Prior positions include Senior Information Security Advisor at the Ministry of Social Development, Information Assurance Advisor at NZ Police, Security Consultant within the IT Security Programme at MSD, and Security and Risk Consultant at the Department of Internal Affairs. Earlier in the career, Derek was a Security Architect at Victoria University of Wellington and held several technical roles at Datacom Systems. Derek holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Massey University.