CERT Australia replaces head

The Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) Australia has a new chief following the resignation of Deborah Anton.

Deborah Anton and A-G Robert McClellan

Investigations by CRN sister site SC Magazine found Dr Carolyn Patteson was appointed executive director of CERT Australia and Assistant Secretary of E-Security Policy and Coordination in July after Anton left to take the role of general manager within the Department of Innovation. The notoriously secretive CERT neglected to make an official announcement regarding the appointment.

Anton will oversee portfolios including the CSIRO the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and the Australian Research Council.

She was unavailable this morning to discuss the conditions of her departure from CERT Australia.

Dr Patteson was described as having “extensive experience on cyber matters” and had worked previously within government national security portfolios.

She will oversee CERT Australia’s team of information security specialists which has more than doubled from 12 to 26 since its establishment in January last year.

CERT Australia is a government point of contact for information security incidents that affect government or private networks of significance to national security. It is currently seeking to fill more technical officer positions.