John Billow Appointed Head of Sweden's National Cyber Security Centre
John Billow has been appointed as the new head of Sweden's National Cyber Security Centre, starting September 1.
Key Points
- • John Billow appointed as head of the National Cyber Security Centre, starting September 1.
- • Billow has extensive experience in cybersecurity, including work with Interpol and at the Ministry of Justice.
- • The NCSC was established in 2020 and has been consolidated under FRA since last year.
- • Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin emphasizes the need for increased public engagement under Billow's leadership.
John Billow has been appointed as the new head of Sweden's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), effective September 1, 2025. Billow takes over a pivotal role in the nation’s cybersecurity strategy, succeeding in a position that has recently been consolidated under the Swedish Defence Radio Establishment (FRA).
Billow brings extensive experience to the role, having previously served as the head of cybersecurity and certification at the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). His background includes working on IT crimes and cybersecurity at the international level with Interpol, as well as acting as an expert in cybersecurity matters at the Ministry of Justice.
The NCSC was established in 2020, initially with responsibilities scattered across various agencies such as the Security Police (Säpo) and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB). However, last year, these responsibilities were unified under FRA, making the NCSC a more streamlined entity.
Carl-Oskar Bohlin, the Minister for Civil Defense, highlighted the importance of making the NCSC more visible to the public under Billow’s leadership, given that FRA has traditionally operated as one of Sweden's most secretive agencies.