Joe Smith is the Assistant Secretary of the Cyber Security Response Coordination Unit (CSRCU), within the National Office of Cyber Security. From November 2023 to July 2024, Joe was the Acting Deputy National Cyber Security Coordinator.
The CSRCU supports the National Cyber Security Coordinator to coordinate the response to nationally significant cyber security incidents. The CSRCU works collaboratively with Commonwealth agencies leading technical incident responses, law enforcement operations, emergency management activities, government service delivery, and regulatory activities. It also works with state and territory departments and agencies responding to incidents impacting their jurisdictions. The CSRCU develops plans and conducts exercises to enable the Australian Government to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the consequences of cyber incidents.
Prior to establishing the CSRCU in December 2022, Joe worked in the Cyber and Infrastructure Security Centre (CISC). At the CISC, Joe managed cyber security functions focused on implementing the cyber security regulatory frameworks established in amendments to the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018. These frameworks included mandatory cyber security incident reporting and enhanced cyber security obligations for critical infrastructure assets declared as Systems of National Significance. Joe also managed crisis response functions focused on responding to significant cyber security incidents impacting critical infrastructure (including the administration of the Government Assistance Measures regime).
Prior to working in the CISC, Joe led a cyber-security policy function focused on strategic policy responses to malicious cyber activity impacting Australia and strategic engagement with international partners. Joe joined the Department of Home Affairs in 2020 and led a branch covering a range of online harms policy issues, including cybercrime, child exploitation, and online terrorism and violent extremism.
Joe has extensive experience in national security, cyber security and cyber-crime, having previously held several strategic and operational roles in law enforcement agencies in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Joe joined the Australian Public Service in 2008 as a Graduate in the Department of Defence.
