Minister appoints Birgir Rafn to cybersecurity and communications post

Infrastructure Minister Eyjólfur Ármannsson has appointed Birgir Rafn Þráinsson as director of the Ministry of Infrastructure’s Office of Cybersecurity and Communications, mbl.is reported. He will take up the post on November 1.

The minister made the appointment following an assessment by an advisory qualifications committee. The position was advertised in July and drew 21 applications. A three-member committee appointed by the minister assessed the candidates under government rules for advisory committees.

The office will work on policy-making, development and coordination in telecommunications and cybersecurity. Its responsibilities include drafting laws and regulations, developing public policy, international cooperation and following up on matters considered increasingly important to security, competitiveness and social development, according to a government statement.

Birgir Rafn has decades of management experience in information technology, telecommunications and cybersecurity in both the public and private sectors. He has been a director in the Government Offices since 2021 and chair of the Cybersecurity Council since 2022.

His previous roles include work as an information technology specialist and consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers, managing director of the information technology division at telecommunications company Hibernia Networks, managing director of Gagnaveita Reykjavíkur and managing director of the software division at OZ Communications.

Birgir Rafn holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Iceland and a master’s degree in computer science from Pennsylvania State University.