Abigail Bradshaw named as new top cyber spy
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The news: The Albanese government has named Abigail Bradshaw as the new director general of the nation's premier cyber spy agency, the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), succeeding Rachel Noble.
The context: The announcement confirms an exclusive report in Capital Brief on Thursday that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles had settled on Bradshaw as Noble’s successor.
As the head of the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), which sits within the ASD, Bradshaw had long been considered the logical successor to Noble.
Bradshaw will take up the role on 6 September after Noble decided to leave the organisation a few months earlier than expected. Noble, who had been in the role for five years, did not seek a second term.
The ASD, a statutory agency within Defence, is undergoing a significant transformation as it seeks to double in size under the $10 billion REDSPICE program. The agency faces the challenge of recruiting and retaining cyber specialists at a time when their skills are in high demand in the private sector.
What they said: “Ms Bradshaw has played a pivotal role in developing partnerships between Government and industries domestically and internationally,” Albanese and Marles said.
“She has led ASD's response to nationally-significant cyber security incidents and has spearheaded the Government’s cyber security partnership with industry, forging critical partnerships which underpin Australia’s national resilience.
“Ms Bradshaw brings with her a wealth of experience in cyber security, intelligence and Australia's national security, including roles in the Royal Australian Navy, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Department of Home Affairs and Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
“The Government thanks Rachel Noble PSM for her leadership of the Australian Signals Directorate over almost five years. During her time as Director-General, Ms Noble oversaw the growth of the Australian Cyber Security Centre, enabling it to better protect Australian businesses and community, and continued improvements to Australia’s offensive cyber and signals intelligence capabilities.
“The first female to head an Australian statutory intelligence agency, Ms Noble also oversaw the development and delivery of ASD’s transformation under the REDSPICE program – the largest ever investment in Australia’s signals intelligence and cyber capability.
“A new head of ASD's ACSC will be appointed in due course.”
The source: Prime Minister's Office
