Defence & veteransAgency
Defence Signals Directorate
DSD
1978 – May 2013
Previously Defence Signals Division (1964–1978). Renamed Australian Signals Directorate in 2013.
Australia's signals intelligence and information security agency within the Department of Defence, collecting foreign signals intelligence and advising government on the security of its communications and information systems.
Names over time
- Defence Signals Bureau1947–1949
- Defence Signals Branch1949–1964
- Defence Signals Division1964–1978
- Defence Signals Directorate1978–2013
- Australian Signals Directorate2013–present
How it came into existence
Renamed from the Defence Signals Division in 1978, continuing within the Department of Defence.
Legislation: Intelligence Services Act 2001
Changes during its life
- 1992Headquarters moved from Melbourne to Canberra.
- 29 October 2001Given statutory functions, limits and oversight arrangements by the Intelligence Services Act 2001.
- January 2010Cyber Security Operations Centre established within DSD to detect and respond to cyber threats against government and critical systems.
How it ended
Renamed the Australian Signals Directorate in May 2013, as announced in the 2013 Defence White Paper.
Main functions
- Foreign signals intelligence
- Information and communications security
- Cryptographic services for government
- Cyber security operations (from 2010)
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of Defence.
Lineage
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Sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.