Chief Information Security Officer

Senior Executive Service Band 1
Canberra – ACT

ASD is the Australian Government’s foreign signals intelligence, offensive cyber, and cyber security agency.

We are seeking dynamic Senior Executives to drive the organisation forward and deliver against our three principal functions:

• collect foreign signals intelligence;
• enhance Australia’s cyber resilience; and
• conduct offensive cyber operations.

In all cases, our primary mission is to advance Australia’s national interests and defend Australia from global threats. From the threat of terrorism through to protecting and supporting Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel when they are deployed overseas, ASD plays a key role in Australia’s national security.

To achieve these objectives, ASD requires people with high levels of integrity and a mix of specialist skills, key among which are adaptability, imagination, and resilience. These are needed to out-think and out-imagine our adversaries and solve seemingly intractable technical and operational challenges. If you want to work with other smart, skilled, and highly motivated people, consider ASD.

ASD has an opportunity for a highly skilled individual to fill a role at the Senior Executive service Band 1 (SES1) level as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).

As CISO you will be responsible for leading a branch of skilled professionals in the delivery of IT and Information Security functions. Responsibilities will include coordinating and overseeing Insider Threat protective security monitoring, cyber network defence protective monitoring and reporting, IT security incident response, continuous assurance monitoring of authorised systems, authorisation of security enforcement controls and IT Security advice – including secure architecture advice and assessment.

As the national Communications Security Officer (COMSO) you will be responsible for external engagement for the COMSO network, including training and ratification of COMSOs across Government, Defence and Industry. You will also provide oversight and strategic guidance for the team that delivers Compartment Access Management and Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility accreditation across government.

The role will require you to contribute to business continuity and disaster recovery planning, work with suppliers and service providers, receive and manage a dedicated cyber security budget and contribute to cyber security awareness raising. You will lead the provision of strategic guidance to the development of ICT projects that enhance ASD's ability to ensure security and integrity, including services that support security and integrity operations.

The role of the CISO requires a combination of technical and soft skills, such as business acumen, leadership, communications and relationship building. Additionally, as CISO you must adopt a continuous approach to learning and up-skilling in order to maintain pace with the cyber threat landscape and new technologies. It is expected that as CISO you will show innovation and imagination in conceiving and delivering security strategies for ASD. As a senior executive branch leader within the Chief Operating Officer Group you will be expected to provide strategic guidance and advice, including on further developing the roles of the branch in order to deliver on ASD's corporate outcomes — and in particular for enabling the delivery of the initiatives articulated under the current REDSPICE program.

As an SES1 you will join ASD’s Senior Leadership Group and play a key role in leading and influencing a high-performing integrated civilian/military organisation. You will influence the strategic direction of ASD and work with colleagues across the Defence portfolio and Government to achieve results. In these roles you will:

• lead and manage a Branch using inclusive leadership, including leading change and transformation initiatives in support of ASD’s objectives;
• exercise high-level judgement, and capitalise on innovative alternatives to resolve complex problems;
• think laterally, effectively challenge the status quo and provide contestability in decision making; and
• demonstrate resilience and take personal accountability for achieving results.

Successful applicants will exemplify ASD’s values and engender a culture of achievement, collaboration and agility. You will be self-aware, and will encourage and respect the diversity of ideas and perspectives that defines ASD’s workforce.

Additional Information

Application Closing Date: Sunday 17 July, 2022

For further information please review the job information pack, reference ASD/04231/22, on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=5DDFA7D2-E223-5CA6-EE69-C8A938119005.  

Prior to commencement, successful applicants will be required to undergo a psychological assessment and an extensive security clearance process. As a Positive Vetting clearance is required, applicants must be Australian Citizens, be able to account for their personal background for their whole life and be able to demonstrate suitability to work in a high security intelligence environment.