Joe Smith

Joe Smith is the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Cyber Security Response Coordination Unit.

The Cyber Security Response Coordination Unit coordinates consequence management activities for nationally significant cyber security incidents. The Unit works alongside Commonwealth agencies leading technical incident responses, law enforcement operations, and regulatory activities.

The Unit retains cyber security functions focused on implementing the cyber security regulatory frameworks established in recent amendments to the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018. These frameworks include mandatory cyber security incident reporting and enhanced cyber security obligations for critical infrastructure assets declared as Systems of National Significance. The Unit also retains crisis response functions focused on responding to significant cyber security incidents impacting critical infrastructure (including the administration of the Government Assistance Measures regime) and delivering a national incident response planning exercise program.

Prior to joining the Centre in September 2021, 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.