The National Security and International Policy Group Executive

National Security Adviser

The National Security Adviser provides a high level of leadership, direction and coordination among our national security and intelligence agencies. The NSA is the principal source of advice to the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Prime Minister and on all policy matters relating to the security of the nation and oversees the implementation of all national security policy.

Appointed at the Associate Secretary level within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the National Security Adviser reports to the Secretary of the Department, who is Chair of the Secretaries’ Committee on National Security and principal departmental officer attending the National Security Committee of Cabinet.

The National Security Adviser interacts directly with agency and departmental heads and the position’s responsibilities complement the roles and responsibilities of the current heads of agencies by enhancing whole-of-government coordination.

The National Security Adviser’s duties include:

Developing effective partnerships within the national security community;
Improving the national security community’s strategic direction;
Supporting whole-of-government security policy development and crisis response;
Overseeing the implementation of all national security policy arrangements; and
Promoting a cohesive national security culture.

Dr Margot McCarthy is currently acting as the National Security Adviser, having been appointed as the Deputy National Security Adviser on 29 March 2010.

Deputy National Security Adviser

The Deputy National Security Adviser (DNSA) supports the work of the National Security Adviser across the breadth of national security and international policy development, advice and coordination responsibilities. The DNSA provides whole-of-government leadership on a range of national security policy issues, including as chair of the National Counter-Terrorism Committee and the National Crisis Committee and co-chair of the Australian Emergency Management Committee. As a Deputy Secretary in the Department, the DNSA also oversees the routine business of the National Security and International Policy Group.

Ms Rachel Noble is currently acting as DNSA, having been appointed to the position of National Security Chief Information Officer on 14 April 2009 and assumed the role of Cyber Policy Coordinator in September 2010.

National Security Chief Information Officer / Cyber Policy Coordinator

The role of the National Security Chief Information Officer (NSCIO) is to provide strategic direction and coordination for information sharing across the national security community. This includes harmonising the broad policy, governance and legislative arrangements currently in place so as to improve interoperability and collaboration, and provide oversight of the national security information management environment.

The role of the Cyber Policy Coordinator (CPC) is to coordinate the whole-of-government approach to cyber policies and activities. The CPC provides strategic leadership and coordination on matters of cyber policy and strategies across the entire cyber 'spectrum', from online consumer protection to cyber defence.

Mr Rupert Hollin is currently acting as the NSCIO/CPC.

The Cyber White Paper

On 3 June 2011, the Australian Government announced that it would develop a Cyber White Paper, to be released in the first half of 2012. The Cyber White Paper will be about people - what Australia needs to do to protect ourselves online, what the role of the government, industry and the public is in protecting our interests, and what Australia's enduring priorities are in the cyber environment. For the first time the Cyber White Paper will bring together and describe the important relationships between our social well-being, our economic prosperity, and our national interests.

Significantly, the Cyber White Paper will provide a long-term strategy to ensure we can take full advantage of the many benefits the digital age brings, while at the same time ensuring that risks can be managed.

The Government will begin a public consultation in the second half of 2011.

For more information, please refer to the Statement by the Secretary and the Cyber White Paper Fact Sheet. Further inquiries may be directed to cyberwhitepaper@pmc.gov.au.

National Security Information Environment Roadmap: 2020 Vision

The National Security Information Environment Roadmap: 2020 Vision provides for the first time a single strategy to overcome the many barriers to information sharing within the Federal national security community. This public document details the journey of change the national security community will take over the next ten years to realise the vision of a secure, coordinated and effective national security information management environment.

Our Vision

NSCIO has developed a Vision for how the national security community can be more cooperative, integrated and effective. This Vision drives our overall approach to delivering capability for national security information management.

Our Strategy and Principles

NSCIO has established a five point strategy to help develop a more coordinated and effective national security information management environment. This strategy is based on five key priorities: Drive New Governance; Strengthen Trust; Create Pervasive Electronic Connectivity; Build Capability; and Enhance Collaboration.

The National Security and International Policy Group

The National Security and International Policy Group provides advice on Australia’s foreign, trade and treaty matters, defence, intelligence, non-proliferation, counter-terrorism, law enforcement, border security and emergency management matters; coordinates security-related science and technology research matters; and plays a coordinating leadership role in the development of integrated, whole-of-government national security policy.

The National Security and International Policy Group comprises three divisions:

The International Division provides advice, coordination and leadership on Australia’s foreign, trade, aid and treaty matters and priorities, including bilateral relations, relationships with regional and international organisations, free trade negotiations and whole-of-government priorities for the overseas aid program. It also incorporates the International Strategy Unit, which focuses on developing innovative and forward-looking advice on policy challenges in the medium to long term across the foreign and international security domains.
The Homeland and Border Security Division provides advice, coordination and leadership on integrated, whole-of-government policy matters, priorities and strategy in the areas of critical infrastructure protection, e-security, non-proliferation, counter-terrorism, law enforcement, border security and emergency management issues.
The Defence, Intelligence and Research Coordination Division provides advice, coordination and leadership on integrated, whole-of-government policy matters, priorities and strategy in the areas of defence, intelligence coordination and cooperation matters, and national security, science and innovation policy and programs.

National Security Science and Innovation Programs

The National Security Science and Technology (NSST) Branch within the Defence, Intelligence and Research Coordination Division manages national security science and innovation programs. More information on the Research Support for National Security program is available.

Key Contacts

Dr Margot McCarthy – Acting National Security Adviser
Ms Rachel Noble – Acting Deputy National Security Adviser
Ms Sachi Wimmer – First Assistant Secretary, Homeland and Border Security Division
Mr Rupert Hollin – Acting National Security Chief Information Officer / Cyber Policy Coordinator
Mr Dave Sharma – Acting First Assistant Secretary, International Division
Mr Graham Eveille – Acting First Assistant Secretary, Defence, Intelligence and Research Coordination Division

Resources and Links

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Last Updated: 9 Sept 2011