Professor Sławomir Cenckiewicz appointed head of Poland’s National Security Bureau (BBN)

On 7 August 2025, Professor Sławomir Cenckiewicz was officially appointed head of the National Security Bureau (BBN) by President Karol Nawrocki. The nomination was formalised during a ceremony at the Presidential Palace, where the President also introduced the core team of his chancellery.

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07 august 2025 | 11:20 | Source: Gazeta Morska | Prepared by: Kamil Kusier | Print

fot. Mikołaj Bujak / KPRP

Experience and expertise

Professor Cenckiewicz is a distinguished historian, widely recognised for his expertise in the history of the communist-era security apparatus, anti-communist resistance, and the Polish political diaspora. From 2016 to 2023, he served as the director of the Military Historical Bureau, and was a member of the IPN Collegium (Institute of National Remembrance).

Over the years, Prof. Cenckiewicz has collaborated with numerous state institutions on matters related to historical policy, national memory, and security culture. His scholarly work and public analyses have influenced national debates on intelligence heritage and contemporary hybrid threats.

Leadership at BBN

Joining Prof. Cenckiewicz at the helm of BBN are two of his key associates:

General Andrzej Kowalski – responsible for internal security affairs;
General Mirosław Bryś – overseeing international security policy.

The leadership team is seen as a strategic blend of operational insight and analytical competence, reinforcing the bureau's capability to advise the president across the full spectrum of national security issues.

Strategic context and priorities

Prof. Cenckiewicz assumes office at a pivotal moment for Poland’s national security architecture. The new leadership of BBN is expected to play a central role in navigating:

strategic transformation of Poland’s defence posture,
deepening NATO cooperation,
growing cyber and disinformation threats.

The bureau under his direction will be tasked with:

advising the president on national security strategy,
overseeing defence planning systems,
coordinating security communication and countering foreign influence,
analysing hybrid and asymmetric threats in an increasingly volatile security environment.

During the ceremony, President Karol Nawrocki spoke personally about the significance of the appointment:

- This is a man who has dedicated his life to preserving the truth of Polish national memory, and to ensuring that Poland remains secure. He is someone history will remember — for all he has done for Polish identity, for the nation, and for our community. Much has already been achieved, but much lies ahead. I have great expectations for Minister Cenckiewicz in safeguarding Poland’s security.

Full composition of the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland

Zbigniew Bogucki – Head of the Chancellery of the President, Secretary of State, former PiS MP and former West Pomeranian Voivode
Adam Andruszkiewicz – Deputy Head of the Chancellery, Secretary of State, former PiS MP and former Deputy Minister of Digitization
Paweł Szefernaker – Head of the President’s Cabinet, Secretary of State, former MP and former Deputy Minister of Interior and Administration
Jarosław Dębowski – Deputy Head of the President’s Cabinet, Undersecretary of State, former Director of the President of the IPN’s Office
Prof. Sławomir Cenckiewicz – Head of the National Security Bureau (BBN), Secretary of State, historian, former Director of the Military Historical Bureau
Marcin Przydacz – Secretary of State, Presidential Plenipotentiary for Foreign Policy, former MP and former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Wojciech Kolarski – Secretary of State, former Head of the Office of International Policy at the Chancellery of President Andrzej Duda
Rafał Leśkiewicz – Spokesperson for the Chancellery of the President, former spokesperson for the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN)
Agnieszka Jędrzak – Undersecretary of State, responsible for cooperation with the Polish diaspora, former Director of the IPN International Cooperation Office
Karol Rabenda – Undersecretary of State, responsible for development and strategic investments, former Deputy Minister of State Assets
Mateusz Kotecki – Undersecretary of State, responsible for social affairs and intervention activities, former Director of the IPN Human Resources Office