Defence Security and Vetting Service

This article relies excessively on references to primary sources. Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources. Find sources: "Defence Security and Vetting Service" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (November 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

The Defence Security Division (DSD) (formerly the Defence Security and Vetting Service (DSVS) and the Defence Security Authority (DSA)^[1]) is a security agency within the Australian Government’s Department of Defence, and plays a crucial role in maintaining national security. It is the Australian equivalent of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA).

The DSD is headed by Australia's Chief Security Officer (CSO), and is the primary counterintelligence agency for Defence security in Australia. ^[2] The current incumbent is First Assistant Secretary, Mr Peter West.^[3]

DSD operates under the Defence Legislation Amendment Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets Act 2024, empowering DSD Agents with dedicated Defence-specific espionage legislation^[4].

DSD's primary responsibilities include counterintelligence assurance, protective security and cybersecurity outreach services, the provision of security intelligence, security threat and risk assessments, investigating protective security breaches and manages the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP). DSD also delivers security clearances for Defence, the Government, and industry as the parent agency of the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA).^[5]

Additionally, the DSD contributes to broader national security outcomes by managing the Defence Security Principles Framework, which helps decision-makers understand and manage evolving security risks effectively.^[6]

DSD Agents are accredited Australian Government investigators, but are not armed, consistent with their U.S DCSA Special Agent counterparts.

DSD Agents specialise in a range of duties, including:^[7][8]

• Conducting covert field investigations into major national security breaches (including the theft of seven rocket launches in 2007 and thwarting the Holsworthy Barracks Terror Plot).^[9]
• Conducting offensive and defensive counterintelligence activities (including identifying double-agents across Australian Government)
• Conducting special protective security functions
• Detecting espionage efforts across the Australian Defence Organisation
• Liaising with national and international intelligence, counterintelligence and security entities in the provision of government security
• Evaluating security performance and risk
• Reporting security compliance
• Administrating the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency^[6]
• Develops and promulgates security policy that complies with Australian Government protective security policy and
• Meets Defence's needs and assisting Groups and the Services with security policy implementation.^[7]

• Holsworthy Barracks terror plot
• Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
• Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
• Direction de la Protection et de la Sécurité de la Défense

• Defence Security Division Official site.
• Open Australia Search: Parliamentary records mentioning 'Defence Security Authority'.