Safeguarding Australia Summit

Hamish commenced as the Head of National Security on 17 July 2025. In this role he is responsible for integrating the national security mission across Home Affairs. Hamish also holds the position of the National Counter Foreign Interference Coordinator.

From 2023 to 2025, Hamish was the Deputy Secretary of Cyber and Infrastructure Security Group, bringing together cyber security and technology security policy, critical infrastructure and transport security policy, regulation and partnerships, protective security policy and background checking under the AusCheck scheme.

Prior to this, Hamish was the Inaugural Head of the then Cyber and Infrastructure Security Centre, a role he held from 1 September 2021, leading the principal critical infrastructure security regulatory authority, policy and program functions.

Immediately prior to this role, Hamish undertook a range of Division Head roles including leading the Cyber, Digital and Technology Policy Division, the National Security and Law Enforcement Policy Division as well Deputy Head of the COVID-19 National Coordination Mechanism.

Hamish has held Senior Executive Service positions in the former Department of Immigration and Border Protection and the former Australian Crime Commission.

Hamish has also served in a range of intelligence, policy, planning, and program delivery roles in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Attorney General's Department, the Australian Senate and the former Office of Transport Security.

Hamish started his career in the National Museum of Australia.

Hamish has a Bachelor of Arts (ANU), Bachelor of Asian Studies (ANU and Gadjah Mada University) and an ANZSOG Executive Masters of Public Administration.

Ciara Spencer was appointed as Deputy Secretary Law Enforcement and Domestic Security on 24 July 2025.

As Deputy Secretary Law Enforcement and Domestic Security, Ciara leads the Group responsible for cyber security and technology security policy, countering foreign interference policy and partnerships, national resilience and protective security, criminal justice and law enforcement policy.

Before taking up her current position, Ciara served as First Assistant Secretary, Consular and Crisis Management Division in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In that role, Ciara led Australia’s response to crises in the Middle East and delivered consular services to support the safety and welfare of Australians overseas.  Ciara has also led the International Security Division and Australia’s international response to defence issues, cyber security, counter terrorism, misinformation, human trafficking and modern slavery.

Ciara has previously held Senior Executive positions in the Department of Home Affairs, the former Department of immigration and Border Protection and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. These roles focused on national security, including aviation and maritime security, law enforcement policy, child exploitation, human trafficking and people smuggling. Ciara has also served in a range of policy, legal and program delivery roles at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Attorney-General’s Department.

Ciara holds a Master of Laws (International Criminal Law Specialisation) from Leiden University in the Netherlands and a Bachelor of Asian Studies (Japanese)/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the Australian National University.

Air Vice-Marshal John Blackburn AO (Retd) MDefStud, MStratStud John Blackburn is the Chair of the Institute for Integrated Economic Research – Australia. He retired from the Royal Australian Air Force in 2008 as the Deputy Chief of the Air Force, following a career as an F/A-18 fighter pilot, test pilot and strategic planner. Since 2008, John has consulted to Industry and Government Agencies and has undertaken a range of National Security and Resilience related studies, as a Reservist until 2019 , and also with the Institute for Integrated Economic Research - Australia, the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group, the Kokoda Foundation, and the Sir Richard Williams Foundation. For the past four years he has led a National Resilience Project that has highlighted a lack of resilience in Australia in addressing the pandemic, climate change impacts, the ongoing energy transition, and growing regional security threats.

Dr Justin Fidock is the Program Leader for National Security within the Space, Intelligence, National Security and Cyber (SINC) Division at Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), part of the Australian Department of Defence.

In this role, Justin leads the National Security Program, which drives Innovation, Science and Technology (IS&T) engagement with domestic and international national security partners. The Program also identifies and delivers targeted IS&T projects that enhance Defence and broader national security capabilities. The first of these projects focuses on strengthening protective security resilience, with an emphasis on insider threat, security culture, and facility security.

Dr Fidock is widely recognised for his strategic leadership across the national security science and technology ecosystem. He has led multidisciplinary research efforts spanning socio-technical systems, organisational resilience, and Human–AI teaming, with a strong focus on translating research into operational impact. Through his work, Justin has helped build enduring partnerships across government, academia, and industry, fostering innovation and capability uplift in areas critical to Australia’s security.

He is deeply committed to building strong, collaborative relationships across the national security community, bringing together industry, academia and government to co-develop IS&T solutions that deliver real impact. He actively champions cultural evolution and more integrated ways of working within the IS&T ecosystem. Justin is also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, work-life balance, and the development of emerging talent.

Justin holds a PhD in Business Information Systems from RMIT University and a Master of Psychology (Organisational) from the University of South Australia. He continues to contribute to research, particularly in the area of Human–AI teaming, through collaborative projects with academic and industry.

Matthew (Matt) Warren is the Director of the RMIT University Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation and a Professor of Cyber Security at RMIT University. He has held roles such as Deputy Director of University Research Centre, Head of School, Deputy Head of School, Program Leader for several programs during his tenure at Deakin University. 

Matthew Warren is a researcher in the areas of Cyber Security and Computer Ethics. He has received numerous grants and awards from national and international funding bodies, such as: Australian Research Council (ARC); Engineering Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in the United Kingdom; National Research Foundation (NRF) in South Africa.

Matthew Warren has taught in Australia, Finland, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.