<!–
<!–
<!–<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Australia’s National Cyber Security Coordinator has suddenly taken leave to deal with a ‘workplace matter’, a statement from the Department of Defence announced on Wednesday afternoon.
‘Air Marshal Darren Goldie, AM, CSC, has been recalled to Defence to deal with a workplace matter related to his time in Defence,’ it said.
‘He is currently on leave. 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.’
Cyber Security minister Clare O’Neil said she had been informed of the move.
Australia’s National Cyber Security Coordinator Air Marshal Darren Goldie (pictured) is currently dealing with a ‘workplace matter’
Department of Home Affairs Deputy Secretary of Cyber and Infrastructure Security Hamish Hansford will act as National Cyber Security Coordinator in the interim.
Mr Goldie had recently been in charge of the federal responses to the nationwide Optus shutdown and the DP World cyber attack that closed ports across the country.
Read Related Also: Snowflakes in Wisconsin Town Banish Christmas Colors, Decorations at City Hall
He was appointed to the job just four months ago, but before that had an ‘extensive 30-year career with the Royal Australian Air Force, joining in 1993’, according to the Home Affairs website.
When he took over the cybersecurity role in July, Ms O’Neil said ‘a really important piece of the jigsaw puzzle is being put in place’.
At that same press conference, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Air Marshal stood out to him as ‘someone who had that proven record of leadership, of being able to coordinate across the security space, in our defence forces’.
Mr Albanese added that he believed Mr Goldie was ‘an outstanding choice’ and was ‘very pleased’ with his appointment.
In July, shortly after he started in his position, Mr Goldie revealed that ‘sensitive personal and government information’ was stolen by Russian hackers in an attack on law firm HWL Ebsworth in April.
Air Marshal Goldie (pictured) had recently been in charge of the federal responses to the nationwide Optus shutdown and the DP World cyber attack that closed ports across Australia
‘I am actively engaging with HWL Ebsworth to understand the complete picture of this incident, including how their private industry clients have been impacted, as the data analysis continues.
‘Impacted entities are commencing the process of notifying affected individuals about the impacts the data breach has had on their information.’
Mr Goldie did not mention any defence or intelligence data in his statement but said he was working with ‘representatives from relevant entities across the Australian government’ to asses the impact on federal agencies.
He said ‘lessons learned’ from the breach would be shared across government so agencies could continue to ‘collectively bolster’ their preparedness for cyberattacks.
