How the National Office of Cyber Security is building Australia’s Cyber Resilience

Online with Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness, CSC

Hosted by Dr Marianne Broadbent

The National Office of Cyber Security (NOCS) was established​ on 1 May 2023 to support the National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC). The NOCS works closely with industry and critical infrastructure operators to build a cyber-resilient Australia.  The Coordinator and the NOCS oversee efforts to ensure Australians are better protected from cyber threats, business and critical infrastructure entities are cyber resilient, the consequences of major cyber incidents are managed and mitigated effectively, and ​deliver the Australian Government’s mission to make Australia one of the most cyber secure nations in the world by 2030.

The National Cyber Security Coordinator, LTGEN Michelle McGuinness, supported by the NOCS, leads whole-of-government coordination of consequence management activities during a nationally significant cyber security incident. The NOCS fosters a collaborative approach to cyber incident response arrangements, working across all levels of government and industry to streamline engagement in response to significant incidents, ensure alignment, and lead efforts to mitigate potential harms. This approach ensures that the response is effectively managed, information is shared quickly and impacts on people, businesses and essential services are identified and mitigated as early as possible. 

Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness, CSC was appointed as Australia’s National Cyber Security Coordinator (the Coordinator) on 26 February 2024.
As the Coordinator, LTGEN McGuinness leads whole-of-government coordination of the delivery of the Strategy, the coordination of responses to significant cyber incidents, whole of government cyber incident preparedness efforts, and the strengthening of Commonwealth cyber security capability.  
LTGEN McGuinness has served in the Australian Defence Force for over 30 years in a range of tactical, operational, and strategic roles in Australia and internationally.
Prior to this appointment, LTGEN McGuinness most recently served as Deputy Director Commonwealth Integration in the United States Defense Intelligence Agency. In this role, she led policy and cultural reform, and technological integration, including interoperability across information technology, systems and data.

LTGEN McGuinness’ foreign awards include the U.S. Legion of Merit, DIA Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Defense Intelligence Agency Director’s Award and being twice awarded the U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal. In 2018, LTGEN McGuinness was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in recognition of outstanding achievement in leadership, training development and international engagement. Recognising her leadership in cybersecurity, LTGEN McGuinness was the recipient of the 8th Annual Billington International CyberSecurity Award in 2025. 

Please join us in welcoming LTGEN McGuinness for this important session on building a cyber-resilient Australia.