Artificial Intelligence · Data · Risk

AI and data risk.

Strategic. Scalable. Secure.

When the stakes are high, experience matters. Senior advisory for boards and executives navigating AI, data strategy, and risk — across regulated industries and beyond.

Our Services Start a Conversation
25+ Years in
financial services
30+ AI briefings to
boards & C-suite
Big 4 Former Big 4
Partner, Financial Services Risk
GAICD Australian Institute
of Company Directors
About

Where deep expertise
meets strategic clarity.

Cerny Black exists because the gap between AI ambition and AI governance is widening. Boards are being asked to oversee technology they don't fully understand. Executives are making decisions about data risk without the right frameworks. Organisations — regulated or not — are moving faster than their controls.

This practice brings senior, front-line experience to that gap. Not theoretical frameworks handed down from a distance, but practical, fit-for-purpose advisory shaped by what actually works inside complex organisations of all sizes.

Work with Us

Strategic

Enterprise-wide AI and data strategies that connect board ambition to operational reality.

Scalable

Advice calibrated to the size and scale of your organisation — fit for purpose, not one-size-fits-all.

Secure

Governance frameworks that give boards genuine oversight of AI and data risk.

Senior-led

Every engagement led personally by Portia Cerny — the expertise you see is the expertise you get.

Services

What we deliver.

01

AI Strategy & Governance

Developing enterprise-wide AI strategies, governance frameworks, and risk management approaches that enable organisations to harness AI confidently and compliantly. From policy design to implementation, we translate regulatory expectations into practical governance that holds.

AI Strategy Governance Frameworks Risk Management Policy Design
02

AI & Data Transformation

Designing scalable data and analytics strategies that drive transformation — from operating model design and cloud migration to data governance, capability uplift, and embedding data-driven decision making across the enterprise. We ensure the foundations are right before the ambition outpaces them.

Data Strategy Cloud Migration Operating Models Analytics Enablement
03

Risk Consulting

Specialist risk advisory across internal audit, regulatory compliance, and operational resilience for financial services organisations. Grounded in deep knowledge of APRA, ASIC, and AUSTRAC frameworks — and built on 25+ years of front-line experience in some of Australia's most complex regulated institutions.

Internal Audit APRA · ASIC · AUSTRAC Operational Resilience Regulatory Compliance
04

Board & Executive Education

Tailored AI briefings, masterclasses, and workshops for boards and C-suite leaders — translating the opportunities and risks of AI and digital innovation into clear, actionable insight that drives better decision making at the top.

Also available for strategic advisory and mentoring engagements supporting the next generation of data, analytics, and risk leaders.

AI Briefings Masterclasses Workshops Strategic Advisory Mentoring
05

AI & Data Analytics Training

Practical AI literacy, prompt engineering, data analytics, data visualisation, and data science training programs for teams and organisations. We have trained 100+ professionals to leverage generative AI and data tools with confidence and rigour.

AI Literacy Prompt Engineering Data Analytics Data Visualisation Generative AI
Market Context

The moment we are in.

Opportunity

AI governance is now a board-level issue

Regulators, investors, and stakeholders are demanding that boards demonstrate meaningful oversight of AI. Most boards lack the internal capability to do this well — creating sustained, high-value demand for senior advisory that bridges technical and governance expertise.

Opportunity

The market for independent advice is growing

Organisations are increasingly seeking senior, independent advisors who offer genuine expertise without the overhead — and who can be trusted to prioritise the client's interests over the engagement.

Context

Regulatory expectations are rising faster than readiness

APRA, ASIC, and emerging AI-specific regulation are raising the bar for governance, risk management, and data practices. Many organisations have the intention to respond — but lack the internal structure and expertise to embed the right frameworks before the bar is raised again.

APRA Letter to Industry on Artificial Intelligence ↗
Context

AI adoption is outpacing risk frameworks

Organisations across all sectors are deploying AI tools faster than they are building the governance structures to oversee them. The consequences — regulatory, reputational, and operational — are becoming more visible, and the demand for credible risk advisory is accelerating.

Our Approach

How we work.

— 01
Portia Cerny

Senior-led, always

Every engagement is led by Portia Cerny personally. No juniors parachuted in once the contract is signed. The expertise you see when you evaluate us is the expertise you get.

— 02
Generated by AI

Grounded in practice

Our recommendations are shaped by what has actually worked inside regulated financial institutions of varying size and scale — calibrated to what is fit for purpose for your organisation, not just what sounds right in a whitepaper.

— 03
Generated by AI

Plain language for complex problems

We translate technical risk and data complexity into language that boards and executives can act on. No jargon for its own sake. Clear thinking, clearly expressed.

— 04
Generated by AI

Built for regulated environments

We understand APRA, ASIC, and AUSTRAC expectations — and we anticipate emerging AI regulation before it becomes a compliance problem. Strategy and compliance are never treated as separate concerns.

Sectors

Where we have worked.

Banking
Insurance
Wealth & Asset Management
Special Investment Vehicles
Government
Credentials

Recognised expertise.

GAICD Company Directors

Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

PMIIA Internal Auditors Australia

Professional Member and Chair of the national AI Working Group — shaping the profession's response to AI risk

Big 4 Former Partner

Big 4 Partner, Financial Services Risk — the experience base that underpins every engagement

Ready to engage?

Whether you need an AI strategy, a governance review, executive education, or regulatory readiness — let's talk about how Cerny Black can help.

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