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The Commonwealth government has progressed its push to better manage data as a strategic warfighting asset as part of a partnership with a KPMG-led consortium that includes Oracle, Microsoft, and three Australian SMEs – archTIS, Epicon and SISU Solutions.
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Assistant Minister for Defence Andrew Hastie has announced the acquisition of Tranche 1 of the ICT 2284 OneDefence Data Program for approximately $233 million (PBS 2022-23 out-turned price and exchange).
This forms part of a broader push to promote stronger data practices across Defence, helping to improve the management of data as a strategic warfighting asset.
This is ultimately expected to support preparations for the future of information warfare, while also supporting military operations through the exploitation of data generated by military drones, aircraft, land vehicles and maritime vessels.
“Our data management is vital to protecting Australia’s national interests, but it is also vital in times of war, ensuring that we have access to the right information at the critical moment,” Assistant Minister Hastie said.
“This investment will deliver secure and resilient information systems to better enable information sharing and collaboration across government and with Australia’s strategic partners.”
The overall program, valued at approximately $515 million, is outlined in the Defence Data Strategy 2021-23, launched in August 2021.
The strategy involves initiatives to improve data maturity and enhance the information available to the Australian Defence Force.
Priority areas of the five-pillar strategy – govern, trust, discover, use and share – include:
- Identifying gaps in workforce capability.
- Assessing the effectiveness of capability delivery to stakeholders.
- Exploring better ways to improve organisational capacity and provide policy advice to government.
- Identifying ways to “stand up” strategic taskforces and support their evolving needs.
- Improving whole-of-life health, safety and wellbeing outcomes for past and present ADF personnel and their families.
Defence has since entered into a contract with KPMG following a competitive tendering process, with the firm tasked with leading a consortium which includes Oracle, Microsoft, and three Australian SMEs – archTIS, Epicon and SISU Solutions.
“The program provides opportunities for industry innovation and for the development of specialist information management skills that are vital to the sector,” Assistant Minister Hastie said.
“Through the OneDefence Data Program, Defence will improve its data management, build a stronger data culture and ensure access to a professional data workforce that will give us the strategic edge in a dangerous and uncertain geostrategic environment.”
Daniel Lai, managing director and CEO of archTIS, welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with KPMG and the company's consortium partners.
“We are pleased to work closely with KPMG and the other members of the OneDefence consortium to improve the data maturity and security of the Australian Defence Force. archTIS continues to see more and more opportunities around a data-centric approach to security. archTIS’ experience and attribute-based access control methodology will continue to play a key role in forming strategic advantages with information for the warfighter and the Defence organisation that supports them.”
[Related: New defence data strategy launched]
Charbel Kadib
News Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media
Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.
