Australian Cyber Security Centre head Abigail Bradshaw is set to begin as the new Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), the government’s foreign signals intelligence and cyber security agency.

Subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council, Ms Bardshaw’s appointment will take effect on  September 6, replacing Rachel Noble who was the first woman to head an Australian statutory intelligence agency.

Ms Bradshaw has had a long career in cyber security, intelligence and national security, including roles in the Royal Australian Navy, DPM&C, Home Affairs and Border Protection.

She has previously served as ASD’s Deputy Director-General and has headed the directorate’s ACSC since March 2020.

Announcing the appointment this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Ms Bradshaw has played a pivotal role in developing partnerships between government and industries domestically and overseas, has led ASD’s response to major cyber security incidents.

Mr Albanese thanked Ms Noble for her leadership of the ASD over almost five years, saying she had helped boost Australia’s offensive cyber and signals intelligence capabilities, and acknowledging her oversight of 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, Mr Albanese said.