About Valeska Bloch
Valeska leads the firm's Technology, Media and Telecommunications and Cyber practices.
She is a market-leading cybersecurity, data, AI and technology practitioner, with over two decades of experience helping organisations innovate safely, navigate cyber incidents and other tech crises, manage complex data and AI risks, implement digital transformation projects and respond to high-stakes regulatory investigations.
Valeska has advised on some of Australia's most significant cyber incidents, and helped leading ASX listed companies and multinationals design and implement best-practice cyber, AI and data governance frameworks.
'Valeska speaks the language of the stakeholders, translating complex technical concepts and defusing intense and anxiety inducing situations. I can see why she would be in high demand' — TMT: Information Technology, Chambers Asia & Pacific
She has particular experience in highly regulated critical infrastructure and data-intensive sectors, including financial services, healthcare, energy and resources, technology, defence, retail, telecommunications and government.
Valeska is ranked in Chambers Asia-Pacific and recognised as a Leading Individual in Legal 500.
She sits on the Australian Government's Cyber Incident Review Board, which was established in 2026 to conduct no-fault reviews of nationally significant cyber incidents.
Valeska regularly advises on:
- Cyber and technology incident preparedness and response: incident response plans and playbooks, crisis simulations, end-to-end crisis management, reporting requirements, post-incident reviews and third-party claims; she has advised extensively on a range of cyber incidents, including ransomware attacks, AI-accelerated threats and insider threats.
- Regulator inquiries, formal investigations and enforcement action: engagement with the OAIC, APRA, ASIC, ACMA, the eSafety Commissioner, FIRB and the Critical Infrastructure Security Centre regarding a range of cyber, data and AI-related issues.
- Data and AI governance and product design: the design and implementation of governance and risk frameworks, operational resilience strategies, impact assessments, record retention and destruction projects, remediation programs, controls frameworks, and the compliant design of data, AI and other technology products.
- Privacy, cybersecurity, operational resilience, spam, surveillence and online safety compliance: including on security of critical infrastructure (SOCI) obligations, prudential regulation (including CPS 230 and CPS 234), other sector-specific regimes, compliance assessments and uplift projects.
- Board advisory: helping boards understand and oversee cyber, data and AI risks, and operational resilience.
- Digital transformation and transactions: including data commercialisation and AI projects, M&A due diligence and post-completion integration, complex procurements (including large-scale AI procurements), and outsourcing arrangements.
Key clients include BHP, the Big 4 banks, various superfunds, Wesfarmers, IAG, Endeavour Group, Alinta Energy, I-MED, Bupa, Challenger, IREN, Disney, DXC, Football Australia, and Canva.
Valeska was a founding member of the Allens Accelerate practice for high growth companies and investors.