AllThe Australian federal government has appointed the nation’s first cyber security coordinator as part of its efforts to make Australia the most cyber secure nation in the world.
The appointment of Air Vice-Marshal Darren Goldie was signed off by the federal cabinet on Tuesday (20 June). The newly appointed coordinator will be part of Home Affairs and have the backing of a National Office for Cyber Security within the department.
Goldie joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1993, and in April last year, assumed the role of Air Commander Australia.
His new role as cyber security coordinator will see him gain responsibility for coordinating cyber response across government departments.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said that the appointment of Goldie is a “vital component” of the government’s response to the emerging challenge that cyber security and threat actors present as technology develops.
“The coordinator, together with the national office of cyber security within the office of Home Affairs, will ensure that we are well-positioned to respond to the opportunities but also the challenges that are there in this digital age,” Albanese said.
“In this role, Air Marshal Goldie will support the minister of cyber security to lead the coordination of national cyber security policy, responses to major cyber incidents, work of whole of government cyber incident preparedness efforts and, of course, strengthening commonwealth cyber security capability.”
Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security Clare O’Neil said that the former government left the state of cyber security in Australia an “absolute mess” and that the appointment of a cyber security coordinator is a crucial part of the “jigsaw puzzle” that is taking control of the current cyber climate.
