Today I announce the appointment of Dr Derek Bopping as Australia’s next Ambassador for Cyber Affairs, Artificial Intelligence and Critical Technology.
Cyber, artificial intelligence and other critical technologies are reshaping every dimension of international relations. They are fundamental to Australia’s national security and economic resilience, the protection and realisation of human rights and freedoms, global prosperity, sustainable development and international stability.
For Australia, leadership in these fields is a foreign policy priority, central to safeguarding our sovereignty and advancing our strategic interests in an increasingly contested geopolitical environment.
Dr Bopping is a senior officer with the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) and was most recently its Head of Preparedness and Business Optimisation and Head of ASD’s State Office in Melbourne.
He previously served overseas in Washington D.C. and has headed ASD’s Cyber Engagement and Strategy Division, and the Counter-Terrorism Coordination Centre for the Department of Home Affairs.
Dr Bopping’s leadership in building cybersecurity partnerships across government and industry equips him to advance Australia’s strategic interests and strengthen international cooperation on cyber, AI and critical technology.
I thank outgoing Ambassador Jessica Hunter for her contributions to advancing Australia’s interests on cyber affairs and critical technology since 2025.