Australian Cyber Security Centre chief Abigail Bradshaw has been named the new director-general of the Australian Signals Directorate, replacing outgoing chief Rachel Noble.
Ms Bradshaw, a former Navy officer with deep expertise in cyber, national security, crisis management and incident response roles across government, will take up the top job on September 6.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defence minister Richard Marles announced the appointment on Monday, confirming reports in Capital Brief on the imminent shakeup last week.
The appointment is yet to be accepted by Governor-General Sam Mostyn, suggesting some haste in the government’s announcement. On Friday, a spokesperson for Mr Marles declined to comment on the appointment.
Ms Bradshaw has spent more than four years as the head of the ACSC and the deputy director-general of ASD, joining the agency during the height of the pandemic in March 2020.
She entered the ASCS role, after it was also vacated by Ms Noble, having just months earlier held national security and disaster resilience roles in the Royal Australian Navy, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and the Department of Home Affairs.
Since then, Ms Bradshaw has led ASD’s response to significant cybersecurity incidents, including the 2022 ransomware attack against Medibank that led to sanctions against a Russian hacker.
Mr Albanese said that at a time of increasing geostrategic uncertainty, Ms Bradshaw’s “expertise in both cyber and national security matters will be crucially important in leading ASD to continue protecting our nation”.
Ms Bradshaw said it was a privilege to be appointed to the role held by Ms Noble for almost five years and that her focus is on “leading the incredible mission-focused team at ASD as we continue to advance Australia’s national interest”.
“ASD’s focus will remain steadfast on continuing our proud history of support to the Australian Defence Force, collecting foreign signals intelligence, conducting cyber offensive operations and protecting Australians from cyber threats,” she said.
Mr Albanese and Mr Marles thanked Ms Noble for her service. She was the first woman to be appointed to lead a intelligence agency in Australia’s history and has overseen the largest ever investment in the ASD through the $9.9 billion REDSPICE program.
“I would like to thank Rachel Noble for her leadership and foresight, which has seen ASD significantly expand its cyber and intelligence capabilities over recent years, including under the REDSPICE program, and I wish her well into the future,” Mr Marles said.
The government said a new head of ASD and deputy director-general of ASD will be appointed in “due course”.
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