ASD Director-General announces senior staff appointments

Speaker(s): DGASD Rachel Noble PSM

Date of Speech: 28 February 2020

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The Director-General of ASD, Ms Rachel Noble PSM, has today announced the appointment of Ms Abigail Bradshaw CSC as the new Head of the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC).

“Ms Bradshaw has deep experience in crisis management and incident response, having served as the Deputy Commander Maritime Border Command at the height of the people smuggling trade, as well as her current role as the Deputy Coordinator of the National Bushfire Recovery Agency,” said Ms Noble.

“Cyber threats in Australia continue to increase in sophistication. Ms Bradshaw has the proven experience to continue the ACSC’s commitment to ensuring Australia is the safest place to connect online.”

Ms Bradshaw commenced her career as an officer in the Royal Australian Navy and has served in a range of other senior appointments, including in Home Affairs, and in the National Security Division in PM&C.

“I am delighted to be returning to the Defence Portfolio, bringing my crisis management experience, and domestic and international connections to this exciting role in ASD,” Ms Bradshaw said. 

“I look forward to working closely again with colleagues inside and outside the portfolio, and with the talented team in ACSC to acquit our important cyber mission.”

Ms Noble today also announced the appointment of Ms Linda Geddes, who will take up the role of Deputy Director-General Sigint and Network Operations on 16 March.

“Ms Geddes will be a tremendous asset to ASD as she brings to this role her deep counter-terrorism and national security experience, including through her current role as the Commonwealth’s Counter-Terrorism Coordinator,” said Ms Noble.

Ms Geddes has previously held senior appointments in Home Affairs, PM&C and ONI, has served in ASD, New Zealand’s GCSB, and served for eleven years in the Australian Army.

“I am very excited to be returning to ASD. I have had the privilege of working in this great organisation twice before, both as a member of the ADF and as a public servant, and I look forward to renewing old relationships and making new ones. I also look forward to working with Director-General Noble once more,” Ms Geddes said.

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