Macquarie Technology Group has achieved a significant industry milestone by becoming the first company to have all of its data centres and cloud services Certified Strategic by the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) under its Hosting Certification Framework. This updated certification follows the accreditation of Macquarie's Data Centre portfolio in 2020, with facilities based in Canberra and Sydney.
The Digital Transformation Agency's Hosting Certification Framework is a key component of its Whole-of-Government approach. This new certification builds on the Australian Government's ongoing focus on data security as seen through policy initiatives such as the National Data Security Action Plan, the REDSPICE project, the Hardening Government IT Initiative, the Privacy Legislation Amendment and broader plans to reform the country's cybersecurity and privacy regulation.
Aidan Tudehope, Managing Director at Macquarie Government, said firm certification measures like the DTA’s Hosting Certification Framework "help take the guesswork out of Government agencies safeguarding data." Amid the growing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, such stringently evaluated certification schemes can provide a clearer roadmap for organisations, fortifying the nation's cyber defence capabilities.
The framework is instrumental, Tudehope stated, "for simplifying and de-risking the decision-making process on cloud, data storage and data hosting," offering agencies clear guidelines on various aspects, such as security credentials, capabilities, and the management and control mechanisms of cloud and data centre providers. Servicing over 40% of the Federal Government and vigilant against an estimated seven billion digital interactions each day, Macquarie has noticed a sharp uptick in attempted cyber infiltrations aimed at government services lately.
"The value of data and the attack surface area have both increased sharply, incentivising the rise in activity we're seeing," Tudehope further noted, addressing the escalating challenges in managing cyber threats. "We're incredibly proud to have over 200 security-cleared staff who can work with sensitive government data," he continued. This elevated manpower equips them to intercept unique threat patterns purposely tailored to target Australian Government clientele.
In line with recent developments, Macquarie has also joined the VMware Sovereign Cloud initiative aiding customers in identifying and liaising with trusted cloud service providers to meet their unique sovereign cloud needs. Regarding the future, Tudehope emphasised that "as Australia continually assesses its cyber posture, data sovereignty must remain a top priority." The importance of a transparent understanding of data location, accessibility, and authority is crucial for securing Australian data.
Macquarie brings specialist, global expertise in areas such as infrastructure, energy, technology and commodities. The company is focused on innovation, careful risk management and delivering sustained long-term value for clients, partners, investors, staff and broader communities.