Australia’s cyber security coordinator recalled after four months

Australia’s first national cyber security coordinator has been recalled by Defence just four months into the role to deal with an unspecified “workplace matter”.

Defence said in a brief statement that Air Marshal Darren Goldie “has been recalled to Defence to deal with a workplace matter related to his time in Defence.”

“He is currently on leave,” Defence said.

“While the matter is under consideration it would be inappropriate to comment further.

“The welfare of our people remains our priority and it is requested that Air Marshal Goldie’s privacy is respected at this time.”

Home Affairs minister Clare O’Neil said in a brief statement that the department’s deputy secretary of cyber and infrastructure security Hamish Hansford will act as coordinator “in the interim”.

Goldie only started in the cyber security coordination role on July 3, on secondment, after a government announcement on the appointment a fortnight earlier.

“The coordinator will lead national cyber security policy, the coordination of responses to major cyber incidents, whole of government cyber incident preparedness efforts and strengthening of Commonwealth cyber security capability,” Home Affairs minister Clare O’Neil said at the time.

“The coordinator will lead this work in collaboration with the government’s key policy, operational and security agencies.”

Goldie had been in the news over the past week, largely leading public-facing communication of the cyber security incident affecting ports operator DP World Australia.

He also played a key role in coordinating responses to the HWL Ebsworth incident, which impacted sensitive data associated with 65 Australian government entities.

The recall comes at a time when the government is preparing to release a long-awaited revamp of its cyber security strategy.

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AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

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