The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) has announced the biggest recruitment drive in its 75-year history to combat “the deteriorating strategic circumstances in our region”.
In a statement, ASD said rapid military expansion, growing coercive behaviour and increased cyber-attacks had led it to create Project REDSPICE, comprising Resilience, Effects, Defence, Space, Intelligence, Cyber and Enablers.
“Through REDSPICE, the ASD will deliver forward-looking capabilities essential to maintaining Australia’s strategic advantage and capability edge over the coming decade and beyond,” the Directorate said.
“If you’re the type of person who is curious, motivated by finding a purpose and loves problem-solving, then you’re the type of person we’re looking for,” it said.
The expansion of the ASD follows the Budget announcement of continued record spending on Australia’s national security.
The Budget papers state that this involves “building Defence capability and creating jobs, boosting Australia’s cyber resilience, supporting Australia’s sovereign Defence industry and improving the lives of Defence Force members, veterans and their families”.
Minister for Defence, Peter Dutton said Project REDSPICE was the largest-ever investment in the capabilities of the ASD.
“REDSPICE will substantially increase the ASD’s offensive cyber capabilities, its ability to detect and respond to cyber-attacks, and introduce new intelligence capabilities,” Mr Dutton said.
“It will also create more than 1,900 new jobs, almost doubling the ASD’s size,” he said.
“This investment acknowledges the nature of conflict has changed, with cyber-attacks now commonly preceding other forms of military intervention — most recently demonstrated by offensive cyber activity against Ukraine.”
The Minister said REDSPICE would ensure Australia kept pace with the rapid growth of cyber capabilities of potential adversaries.
“It provides new intelligence capabilities, new cyber defences to protect our most critical systems, and is a real increase in the potency of ASD’s ability to strike back in cyber-space,” Mr Dutton said.
More information about REDSPICE can be accessed at this PS News link.
