Many government departments and workplaces at large have undertaken or are in the process of undertaking Digital Transformation that will see a shift to the Cloud for all if not most of the workplace’s IT based operations. The key limitation to date for government agencies has been the security aspects associated with the cloud. This week we look at an Expression of Interest (EOI) issued by the Department of Defence seeking to implement SECRET Cloud Services for use by Defence and Other Government Agency customers.
The Department of Defence currently operates Information Communications Technology (ICT) environments across the OFFICIAL, PROTECTED and SECRET security classifications. These environments are characterised by rapid change, particularly in the areas of data, analytics, and collaboration. Initial implementations have improved the speed and agility with which new capabilities can be developed in response to an ever evolving and complex threat landscape. However the availability of public cloud services at OFFICIAL and PROTECTED security classifications have enabled capabilities that only go part way to addressing these needs. Full realisation will only occur with cloud services being available at higher security classifications. In support of this, Defence via the Chief Information Officer Group (CIOG) intend to approach the market through a number of distinct tranches with the overall objective of progressively establishing diverse multi-vendor SECRET Cloud Services that are hosted in Australia.
This EOI relates solely to the first tranche. For Tranche 1 Defence is seeking to partner with one or more cloud service providers to rapidly provide secure and highly scalable SECRET Cloud Services. The key purpose of this EOI is for Defence to develop a shortlist of suitably qualified parties who Defence proposes to invite to participate in Collaborative Processes for Tranche 1. The timelines for implementation of the SECRET Cloud Services in a “user ready” state will depend on the extent of industry readiness, complexity of the Use Cases, and Defence activities required to connect and consume the Services.
Key Criteria to apply for this EOI are:
– Respondents must have DISP membership at level 2, or a demonstrated plan for achieving DISP membership at level 2. Additionally respondents will also need to demonstrate a capability to uplift/maintain DISP membership at level 3, if required.
– Respondent’s need to have current certification for cloud services as a “Certified Strategic Service” under the DTA’s Hosting Certification Framework or evidence to demonstrate that as at the date of submission of the EOI, the respondent has an application in progress.This EOI closes on 8 July.
If you are after further advice on this topic or any opportunity listed below, feel free to contact us. You can also subscribeto this newsletter for regular weekly updates.
