We’re proud to share that MEC Consulting, in partnership with O’Grady Consulting Services has won the TASICT 2025 Best Cyber Security Initiative Award for our work on the Privileged Access Management (PAM) Project.
The initiative delivered a significant uplift in cyber security maturity across the University of Tasmania. The project introduced Just-In-Time access, removed all local admin rights, and integrated real-time monitoring, all while maintaining day-to-day productivity and trust.
But it wasn’t without its challenges.
A previous attempt to implement PAM had stalled due to low awareness of cyber risk, staff concerns around surveillance, and difficulty engaging time-poor academic staff. There was also a need to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach and instead tailor the change to each college’s unique needs and teaching calendar.
How we delivered it
Together, we co-designed a tailored rollout with each college, aligning implementation with teaching calendars and local operational rhythms. Key components included:
- Early briefings and leadership engagement across faculties
- College-specific implementation plans
- Pilot testing to manage risk and address concerns
- Targeted communications, FAQs, and tutorial materials
- Live engagement to support adoption and address resistance.
- A tightly integrated project and change partnership.
By aligning strong technical delivery from O’Grady Consulting with MEC’s human-led change approach, we co-designed a rollout that was strategic, well-timed, and built around trust.
Key achievements
- 100 percent removal of local administrator rights
- Just-In-Time access with full audit and real-time SIEM monitoring
- Application control to prevent unauthorised software use
- Tailored implementation plans for each college
- Over 5,000 users transitioned with minimal disruption
This award recognises not only a successful project but the power of local capability and well-executed change.
Reach out if you have a tricky technology project on your books and need a hand.
Photo: Braeden kindly accepted the award on our behalf from Sal Unwin from Tristkele Labs, who sponsored the category.