Ministers Ryan and Smyth announce appointment of new Director of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)

The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan T.D., and Minister of State with special responsibility for Communications and the Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth T.D., are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Richard Browne as the Director of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). The appointment follows an open international competition, run by the Public Appointments Service.

Mr Browne has been with the NCSC since 2014, where he also led the development of National Cyber Security Policy, including coordinating both National Cyber Security Strategies to date. After taking up the position of Deputy Director of the National Security Analysis Centre (NSAC) in October 2020, he was appointed as Acting Director of the NCSC in July 2021.

As Director, Mr Browne will have responsibility for the main functions of the NCSC. These functions include the coordination and management of national cyber security incident response; building national situational awareness of cyber risks and threats; and building resilience against cyber-attacks.

Announcing the new appointment, Minister Ryan said:

"As Ireland is a leading digital economy, protecting the cyber security of Government IT and critical national infrastructure is vital. I am delighted to announce Richard Browne as Director of the NCSC. Richard is an extremely highly qualified and high calibre professional. He will bring his vast experience, to continue his work in building and leading the NCSC. Under his lead, the NCSC will further develop its operational capacity and expertise, and support the development of the policy and legislative framework relating to cyber security in the State."

Minister Smyth, also welcoming the appointment, commented:

"There have been a number of significant cyber incidents in the past number of years, including the recent incidents affecting the HSE and other critical infrastructure internationally. I welcome the appointment of Richard Browne as the new Director of the NCSC and wish him well in his leadership of an expanding organisation, which is further developing its competence and capacity to help defend and protect IT systems and our key services into the future. The Government is committed to ensuring that the NCSC - led by Richard - has the appropriate level of resourcing to enable it deliver on its critical mandate."

ENDS

NOTES TO THE EDITOR

• The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) was established by a Government decision in July 2011, with a broad remit across the cyber security of Government ICT and critical national infrastructure.
• The National Cyber Security Strategy 2019-2024 is a whole-of-Government approach to address the growing threat of cyber security incidents and to ensure that Ireland can benefit fully from the digital transformation. The strategy includes 20 separate measures to safeguard public sector networks and essential services, to facilitate the development of the cyber security industry and to promote awareness raising and international cooperation.
• As part of the implementation of the strategy, early in 2021 external consultants were commissioned to conduct a Capacity Review and to benchmark the NCSC with similar agencies in Europe and internationally. The report on the Capacity Review was received in June 2021. In July the Government agreed a number of measures to support the continued development of the NCSC over the coming five years.
• The measures agreed include increasing the overall fulltime staffing complement of the NCSC to at least 70 over the next 5 years. The first tranche of an additional 20 staff will be recruited by end of 2022, bringing the serving complement to 45 at that point.
• There are currently open recruitment competitions for Principal Cyber Security Specialist (Principal Officer equivalent). Further competitions will be held for senior management posts in the coming weeks. Cyber Security Specialist (Assistant Principal equivalent) and Cyber Security Responder (Higher Executive Officer equivalent) competitions will also launch in the coming weeks.
• The Government also agreed that the General Scheme of a Bill be prepared for Government approval. This will establish the NCSC on a statutory basis and provide for related matters, including clarity around its mandate and role and in relation to other actors in the cyber area.