Defence minister Richard Marles has appointed Stephanie Crowe as the new head of Australia’s cyber security agency.
A branch of the Australian Signals Directorate, the Australian Cyber Security Centre is the country’s leading authority on cyber security.
Established in 2014 and the successor to the Cyber Security Operations Centre, the ACSC works with organisations to help them adopt frameworks to protect information technology and technology systems.
Having worked across government and industry, Crowe brings to the ACSC an extensive background in cyber security.
Over a 15-year career at ASD, Crowe has held a number of key roles in signals intelligence including leading the agency’s technical advice and assistance programs for industry and bolstering ASD’s cyber-threat intelligence capabilities.
Marles said Crowe’s experience and expertise sees her well-placed to lead the agency “at a time where we see Australian networks increasingly targeted by malicious cyber actors”.
Crowe replaces Abigail Bradshaw who was appointed ASD director-general in September last year. Crowe has “the proven experience in intelligence and cyber operations” said Bradshaw, and “acutely understands the cyber threats and challenges facing all Australians against a backdrop of rapid advancements in critical and emerging technologies”.
In response to the announcement, Crowe – who has been acting head of the ACSC since late last year – said: “I look forward to leading ASD’s team of cyber-security experts in strengthening Australia’s cyber resilience.”
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