Implementation of the ‘Smith Review’ and progress in strengthening protective security procedures, practices and culture: 12 month follow-up review

12 months after the initial Smith Review into the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Security Procedures, Practices and Cultures, the follow-up independent review (‘The Vardos Review’) to the implementation of the Smith Review has now been completed. The Vardos Review found that all twenty-eight of the original recommendations covering a range of protective security issues have been appropriately actioned, with a number of positive indicators suggesting a robust and astute security culture has been embedded across the organisation. In order for the Department to continue to effectively discharge its responsibilities, however, it will be critical to maintain and continue to build on the positive security culture that has been embedded since the 2018 review. The Department remains committed to this objective, as well as the ongoing safeguard of official information to ensure its confidentiality, integrity and availability