Brett Russell

Brett Russell has a diverse and extensive work experience spanning multiple industries. Starting in 2001, they worked as a Junior Design Engineer at KBM, where they gained experience in analogue and digital systems design, embedded coding, and application engineering. Brett then joined QEO Wireless in 2003, initially as a Design Engineer and later taking on managerial responsibilities in hardware development. At ATE, from 2005 to 2007, they wrote embedded software for military applications and provided hardware integration support. From 2007 to 2009, Brett worked as a Senior Design Engineer at Smartec Technologies, focusing on overall product and system design.

Moving into the payments industry, Brett joined Paycorp Group in 2009 as a Development Manager, leading high-performance development and testing teams. Brett also served as the Product Head of mPos, managing the mobile point of sale business unit. At OWASP from 2014 to 2015, Brett took on the role of Chapter Leader for South Africa, promoting web application security.

In 2016, Brett founded Zaya Software, a company delivering quality mobile and web apps at an affordable price. Brett led the company, utilizing the latest technology and leveraging their team's experience to ensure successful product delivery.

From 2017 to 2021, Brett worked as a Senior Information Security Analyst at Partners Consult, conducting security assessments on web sites and network infrastructure. Currently, they are with MetroFibre Networx, serving as the Head of Product and Business Development as well as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). In this role, Brett is responsible for developing and enhancing products and guiding the company's business areas while also overseeing information security.

Brett Russell obtained a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Cape Town from 1998 to 2001. Brett also completed a Management Development Programme at Stellenbosch University from 2012 to 2013. Brett attended St Charles College from 1993 to 1997 but did not earn a degree. Additionally, Brett has obtained certifications such as Offensive Security Certified Professional, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP). Brett also holds a certification as a Postilion Developer from ACI Worldwide.