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Months after the last one was recalled, the Australian government has appointed a new national cyber security coordinator.
As previously believed, the position will be filled by Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness, who will begin in the role on Monday (26 February).
“I’m delighted to be announced as Australia’s new national cyber security coordinator,” McGuinness wrote on the National Cyber Security Coordinator LinkedIn page.
“I want to thank the acting coordinator, Hamish Hansford, for his service in the role and the coordination of Australia’s response to cyber threats in recent months.
“I’m excited to get started and continue to ensure that Australia is best positioned to respond to threats of the digital age.”
As stated above, McGuinness will be replacing acting national cyber security coordinator Hamish Hansford, who stepped into the role following the nation’s inaugural coordinator, Air Marshal Darren Goldie, being recalled to Defence for a “workplace matter” in November last year. He was first appointed in June 2023.
While LTGEN McGuinness has no qualifications or experience in cyber security, just like AIRMSHL Goldie, she has been the US Defence Intelligence Agency’s (DIA’s) deputy director for Commonwealth integration (DDCI) for three years, which saw her advising the director of the DIA on strengthening Five Eyes ties.
Prior to this, she was the Australian Defence Intelligence Organisation’s director general of counter proliferation and terrorism.
Minister for Cyber Security and Home Affairs Clare O’Neil took to Linkedin to announce the appointment.
“Let me introduce Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness CSC, Australia’s new national cyber security coordinator,” she wrote.
“Lieutenant General McGuinness has served in the Australian Defence Force for 30 years in a range of roles in Australia and internationally.
“Since January 2021, she has served as deputy director Commonwealth Integration in the United States Defense Intelligence Agency.
“Now, her mission will be to protect against and respond to major cyber security threats and incidents facing Australia.”
Prior to the announcement, sources close to the matter had suggested that McGuiness was all but confirmed as the new coordinator.
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