Letter of transmittal
The Hon Richard Marles MP
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Dear Minister,
Australian Signals Directorate Annual Report 2024–25
In accordance with section 46 of the Public Governance, Performance, and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) and section 42A of the Intelligence Services Act 2001 (ISA), I am pleased to present to you the Australian Signals Directorate's (ASD) Annual Report for 2024–25. This report contains information required by section 17AD of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014 (PGPA Rule), and complies with section 46 of the PGPA Act as modified by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Australian Signals Directorate Section 105D) Determination 2018.
As required by section 17AG(2) of the PGPA Rule, I certify that fraud risk assessments and fraud control plans have been prepared for ASD; that ASD has appropriate mechanisms in place for preventing, investigating, detecting, and reporting incidents of fraud; and that all reasonable measures have been taken to deal appropriately with fraud relating to ASD.
Yours sincerely,
Abigail Bradshaw CSC
Director-General
Australian Signals Directorate
9 September 2025
Director-General ASD's review
I am pleased to present the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) 2024–25 Annual Report.
ASD defends Australia from global threats and advances the national interest through the provision of foreign signals intelligence, cyber security and offensive cyber operations, as directed by Government. Throughout 2024–25, ASD continued to fulfil its purpose.
Across the year, ASD’s signals intelligence provided Government with insight into global strategic and military developments, enabling effective decision-making. Our signals intelligence products, technical expertise and advice provided unique situational awareness to National Intelligence Community (NIC) partners and broader government on threats to national security and prosperity. In particular, our intelligence on the intentions of foreign adversaries and threat actors enabled Government to make informed decisions in Australia’s national interest.
ASD also continued to deliver impactful offensive and defensive cyber activities, including operations that dismantled online infrastructure used by foreign cyber criminals who target Australians.
ASD’s work in cyber security remained critical in supporting Australia’s national security and economic prosperity. In response to emerging cyber security threats, including to Australia’s critical infrastructure, ASD has used a proactive and multifaceted approach to improving preparedness and building stronger collective cyber resilience. ASD’s public guidance on building and maintaining cyber resilience, the Foundations for Modern Defensible Architecture, published on cyber.gov.au, is an example of this work.
ASD continued to engage with domestic and international partners to increase and uplift cyber threat awareness and regional security. Strategic cooperation with other nations provides opportunities for leveraging capability and expertise to improve regional security. ASD contributed to or led a wide range of joint products with international partners, including cyber security advisories attributing malicious activity to state-sponsored threat actors, reflecting our commitment to uplifting collective cyber resilience. Working closely with domestic and international partners, ASD also supported Australia’s sanctions against cybercriminals, including Australia’s first cyber sanction against an entity.
During 2024–25, ASD met the high standards and expectations of the Government and the Australian public, by engaging with various parliamentary and other oversight bodies, including the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS); Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade; the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS); and the Auditor-General. This oversight helps provide assurance to the Australian public that ASD advances the national interest while following the letter and spirit of the law. ASD also continued efforts to provide greater transparency of its activities through initiatives such as its proactive declassification program and our online presence.
ASD has also continued to invest in expanding our national footprint and achieving technical resilience. Our focus has remained on growing our workforce through activities that support the attraction, retention and upskilling of our people so that ASD can fulfil its purpose.
ASD is only as good as its people. I am fortunate to lead a team of dedicated, talented and diverse staff that each and every day work to safeguard the prosperity and security of Australia. It is this team of people that has delivered ASD’s results over the last year.
Abigail Bradshaw CSC
Director-General
Australian Signals Directorate