New ACSC head appointed

The Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, has announced that Stephanie Crowe has been appointed as the new Head of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC). The announcement follows the recent appointment of former ACSC head Abigail Bradshaw as Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate.

The ACSC is the Australian Government’s technical authority on cybersecurity. It provides an avenue for organisations large and small to partner with Government and adopt a security framework to protect their information technology and operational technology systems, applications, and data from cyber threats.

In a press release the minister said that Crowe has an extensive background in cybersecurity having worked across government and industry to respond to nationally significant cyber events and strengthen Australia’s cyber defences.

“I am pleased to see Ms Crowe appointed to this important position,” said Marles. “Her experience and expertise across the cyber domain sees her well placed to lead the Australian Cyber Security Centre, at a time where we see Australian networks increasingly targeted by malicious cyber actors.

Over her 15-year career at ASD, Crowe has held a number of key roles in signals intelligence and cybersecurity, including leading ASD’s technical advice and assistance programs for industry and building ASD’s cyber threat intelligence capabilities.

“Stephanie has the proven experience in intelligence and cyber operations and has established close relationships with international and industry leaders in cybersecurity, vital to combatting the dynamic and challenging cyber threat environment,” added Bradshaw. “Stephanie acutely understands the cyber threats and challenges facing all Australians against a backdrop of rapid advancements in critical and emerging technologies, and how we can better engage them through continued government-industry collaboration.”

Image: Stephanie Crowe. Credit: Australian Signals Directorate.