Marc Ablong, who currently serves as the deputy secretary for strategic initiatives at Home Affairs, will move to a new “national security role.” This reshuffle will also affect the Cyber and Infrastructure Security Centre (CISC).A recent update to the department’s org chart has named Hamish Hansford, the inaugural head of the CISC, as acting in Ablong’s current position. While there is often internal movement in departmental org charts. The department did not name Ablong for any new position, and iTnews confirmed that he is currently on leave.
According to a Home Affairs spokesperson who spoke to iTnews, “Mr Ablong will be moving to a new national security role in the near future, with more detailed announcements to be made soon.”
With Hansford moving into Ablong’s former role on an acting basis. The acting leadership of the CISC now falls to Sam Grunhard, who is the existing deputy for the centre. In addition, Richard Farmer is now acting as the deputy group manager of the CISC.
Ablong was a regular commenter on cyber security policy issues. Which range from critical infrastructure security to government use of Chinese camera technology and the government’s operation of identity-matching services. He also appeared at Senate estimates for Home Affairs.
Through Hansford, it appears the department will continue to have that cyber security capability at the deputy secretary level. Prior to leading the CISC, Hansford was the first assistant secretary of the cyber, digital and technology policy division. He led the delivery and implementation of Australia’s Cyber Security Strategy 2020 and related cybercrime policy development.
The CISC is the central overseer of critical infrastructure security requirements on a range of industry sectors.
