Appointment of Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness as the National Cyber Security Coordinator
- In summary, Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness has been appointed by the federal government as the new national cyber security coordinator, succeeding Air Marshall Darren Goldie.
- Lieutenant General McGuinness, a 30-year military veteran, will take on the responsibility of spearheading reforms to combat cyber security threats in both government and business sectors.
The federal government has selected a highly experienced individual from the Australian military to assume the crucial role of national cyber security coordinator.
Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness will officially assume her duties on Monday, stepping into the position previously held by Air Marshall Darren Goldie, who was recalled by the Defence Department last year due to workplace-related allegations.
Confirmation of Lieutenant General McGuinness’s appointment was provided by Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil, who highlighted that she would be instrumental in driving policy and cultural changes throughout the government.
With a distinguished 30-year career in the Defence Force encompassing tactical, operational, and strategic roles, Lieutenant General McGuinness brings a wealth of experience to her new role.
Her most recent role as a deputy director at the United States Defense Intelligence Agency since 2021 further underscores her expertise in the field.
Minister O’Neil emphasized Lieutenant General McGuinness’s past accomplishments, particularly her leadership in intelligence efforts supporting various government initiatives, including Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the national cyber security coordinator, Lieutenant General McGuinness will play a pivotal role in shaping Australia’s cyber security landscape, overseeing policy development, coordinating responses to cyber incidents, enhancing government preparedness, and strengthening overall cyber security capabilities.
Michelle McGuinness has served in the Defence Force for three decades. According to the Defence Department’s John Carroll, the government has previously emphasized the significance of this position as “a crucial element in the overall strategy” in Australia’s efforts to combat cyber attacks on government and businesses. Air Marshall Goldie assumed the role of the first national cyber security coordinator in July of the previous year. Before his appointment, he was a prominent figure who spearheaded major national responses to cyber security incidents, such as the Optus nationwide shutdown and the DP World cyber attack that resulted in the closure of ports nationwide.
