auDA grants $2.5 million to quantum-safe DNS & inclusion
auDA has awarded a total of $2.5 million in research and development grants over three years to two projects aiming to protect the Domain Name System (DNS) from quantum computing threats and to support Australians with cognitive disabilities in avoiding and recovering from online scams.
The selected projects include a quantum-safe DNS initiative led by Deakin University and a digital inclusion project led by Monash University, with each project involving partnerships across academia, industry, and community stakeholders.
Quantum-safe DNS project
Deakin University, in collaboration with CSIRO-Data61 and QuintessenceLabs, will lead a project that seeks to safeguard the encryption used in Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC). As quantum computers advance, current encryption methods could become vulnerable, putting DNS integrity at risk. The project will identify, implement, and evaluate modifications to DNSSEC aiming for a transition to quantum-safe methods while retaining operational reliability.
auDA will contribute $1.047 million to support this project over three years. Professor Robin Doss, the project's Chief Investigator at Deakin University, commented, "We acknowledge the support from auDA, which will enable us to proactively address the critical challenge of strengthening the resilience of the Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNNSEC) against quantum threats – providing greater confidence in the trustworthiness of the global Internet for industry, business, and the broader community."
Digital inclusion and scam resilience
The second project, awarded $1.5 million by auDA, will be led by Monash University in collaboration with the National Anti-Scam Centre, Westpac, QUT, Brain Injury Matters, and disability consumer representatives. The project focuses on developing prevention and support strategies for Australians with cognitive disabilities, such as brain injury, intellectual disability, or dementia, who are at an increased risk of cyber scams.
The initiative intends to strengthen frontline responses for scam victims, implement a national trial of a co-designed support programme, and disseminate free educational material to empower people with disabilities for safer internet participation. Dr Kate Gould, Chief Investigator at Monash University, said, "Scams have significant financial, emotional and social impacts on Australians. Anyone can be scammed, but people with cognitive disabilities are particularly vulnerable. Funding from auDA will enable leading research to enhance Australia's prevention, disruption and response to scams, ensuring safer internet participation."
Statements from auDA leadership
auDA Chair, Alan Cameron AO said, "auDA's Research and Development Program focuses on making a positive impact for internet users by strengthening the DNS and digital inclusion, and supporting internet governance. auDA is pleased to support Deakin, Monash and their research partners to boost the security of the DNS, and help protect vulnerable Australians affected by cyberscams."
Bruce Tonkin, CEO of auDA, said, "The two auDA supported R&D projects will make a direct and meaningful contribution to the future security and stability of the DNS and support vulnerable Australians to recover from and protect themselves from online scams. I congratulate the research teams in their successful applications and look forward to the immense benefit these projects will bring to Australians."
Selection process and previous grants
Both projects were chosen after a competitive application process that the assessment panel considered notable for multi-stakeholder approaches to ensuring internet access and value for Australians. The inaugural round of auDA's Research and Development Programme began in August 2024 and forms part of auDA's broader Public Benefit Programme.
Under this initiative, since 2006 auDA has funded over 185 projects intended to improve the utility and security of the internet for Australians. The most recent grants will be delivered between 2025 and 2028.
Deakin University's project will focus on technical enhancements to defend the DNS infrastructure as quantum computing capabilities continue to increase. Meanwhile, Monash University and its partners will address the social and personal impacts of scams to foster inclusion and resilience in communities that face greater risk online.
