The Australian federal government is set to launch a new “Top Secret” Cloud in collaboration with AWS, aimed at enhancing data exchanges between the nation’s intelligence community and defence forces.
Theis initiative will provide access to a range of AWS services, including computing, storage, databases, and advanced analytics powered by AI and machine learning.
The project carries an initial price tag of A$2 billion, with ongoing operational costs yet to be determined. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasised the deal’s broader benefits, highlighting the creation of 2,000 new jobs for Australians as part of the agreement.
Rachel Noble, the director-general of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), described the deal as transformative for the country’s defence and intelligence sectors.
While she did not delve into specifics on the day-to-day use of AI, Noble noted that the technology would enable faster data analysis, helping to identify information crucial to national security and producing intelligence reports in a traditional manner, similar to how it has been done for decades.
The Australian Signals Directorate says it would also increase its use of AI to analyse data as part of its £1.5bn deal with AWS.
The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) recently announced a major partnership with AWS, involving a £1.5 billion (AU$2 billion) agreement to transition its intelligence data to the cloud service provider.
The deal includes the construction of three new data centres at undisclosed locations. Additionally, the ASD plans to utilize AI to enhance the analysis of intercepts, reports, and other critical national security information.
Australia’s Defence Minister, Richard Marles, praised the agreement, highlighting that it would strengthen the country’s military interoperability with its allies.
“Today, modern defence forces, and indeed modern conflict, is more reliant upon information technology, upon computing infrastructure, than ever before,” said Marles.
“What that means is that, increasingly, modern conflict is occurring at a top-secret level. So this capability in terms of computing infrastructure will ensure that Australia maintains at pace with the leading defence forces in the world.” he said.
Other Sovereign Clouds
Australia is following in the footsteps of other nations like the US and the UK by moving its national security data to AWS servers. Both countries have previously established sovereign clouds with cloud computing providers for their intelligence agencies.
Lakshmi Raman, Chief of AI at the CIA, highlighted the benefits of such arrangements at the 2022 INSA Symposium, noting that these cloud services provide the essential infrastructure for agencies to develop and deploy AI and data analytics tools as needed.
Raman emphasised that managed services from cloud providers will be crucial in applying AI to top-priority mission challenges.
The partnership signifies a significant investment by the Albanese government and plays a crucial role in advancing the 2024 National Defence Strategy.
It is part of a broader financial commitment, with plans to invest between $15 and $20 billion by 2033-34 to bolster Defence’s cybersecurity capabilities.
Additionally, $8.5 to $11 billion has been earmarked to enhance Defence’s enterprise data and ICT infrastructure, as outlined in the 2024 Integrated Investment Program.
