Australian AI security and compliance provider ORCA Opti has joined forces with DNH Logistics and Aurora Materials to deliver a 360-degree, zero-trust logistics solution designed to protect sensitive pharmaceutical and defence supply chains.

The collaboration combines ORCA Opti’s cybersecurity automation and compliance expertise with DNH Logistics’ experience in pharmaceutical and defence transport operations, and Aurora Materials’ next-generation fluorescent tagging technology. Together,

Trio aim to redefine how critical materials are monitored, authenticated, and secured in transit.

Under the partnership, ORCA Opti will equip DNH Logistics with secure automation for cyber information storage and record management, covering the transport and handling of TGA-scheduled drugs and national security items.

The system enables authorised personnel to oversee both individual consignments and broader operations in real time, ensuring sensitive data remains protected.

Aurora Materials’ proprietary fluorescent tagging technology adds another layer of assurance, enabling high-precision authentication and traceability of mission-critical shipments.

The combined system goes beyond traditional logistics tracking to deliver compliance-driven, time-stamped monitoring with defence-grade data protection at every stage.

All processes are aligned with the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF), Defence Security Principles Framework (DSPF), and Information Security Manual (ISM) controls, ensuring consistency with Australia’s highest security standards.

A veteran-led enterprise, DNH Logistics provides secure pharmaceutical logistics including the transport, storage, and handling of controlled substances up to Schedule 8.

The partnership marks a major step in its expansion into security-led defence logistics — a move showcased this week at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition.

As part of this transition, DNH Logistics must meet complex cybersecurity and compliance requirements, including the ASD Essential Eight and the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) standards.

The new alliance provides a practical model for meeting these controls through an integrated, IoT-enabled monitoring system featuring temperature control sensors and RFID product tracing.

The fully integrated solution will enable DNH Logistics to extend its proven pharmaceutical logistics model into the defence sector, ensuring both operational efficiency and information integrity.

Justin Roderick, Director, DNH Logistics says he and his team had been very impressed by what ORCA Opti and Aurora Materials were able to provide and was looking forward to building secure solutions for the defence medical logistics sector together. 

“Achieving DISP is a significant milestone for any small enterprise. Doing the heavy lifting on your own, especially navigating the requirements to meet the Essential Eight at Maturity Level 2, can be overwhelming. said Roderick

“Partnering with ORCA Opti has made this journey easier while Aurora Materials has helped us with a more robust security offering,”

“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with ORCA Opti to harness AI in a secure environment, automating compliance wherever possible,”

“This allows our team to stay focused on operational outcomes, with the assurance that our compliance obligations are being met and managed effectively.” he said.

ORCA Opti Founder and Managing Director Kathryn Giudes says she was excited to be partnering with DNH Logistics as they move into a new phase of their growth strategy.

“This partnership will ensure that DNH Logistics meet regulatory requirements and compliance using AI to protect and validate medical, pharmaceutical and customer data in a logistics context,” said Giudes

“Embedding compliance and safety controls will also assist potential customers in achieving compliance faster, enabling DNH Logistics to distribute products more efficiently. 

“Adding in Aurora’s fluorescent tagging material and tracking creates a seamless solution that effortlessly spans physical and digital security.”

“In the work we are setting a new model for how compliance and security are managed in complex logistics chains across pharma, defence and other regulated sectors.” she said

Dr Jason Holland, Co-Founder and CEO of Aurora Materials says his company was excited to be working alongside DNH Logistics and Orca Opti as it advances the security-led logistics model.

“Our collaboration focuses on integrating Aurora’s non-replicable tagging technology into DNH Logistics’ secure warehousing, transport and logistics systems,” said Holland

“By embedding our unique optical tagging capability, we enable DNH Logistics to verify authenticity, chain of custody, and provide tamper-evident assurance across every stage of its operations,”

“Through this network of like-minded security partners, we aim to solve the critical challenges of secure logistics even in complex and contested environments,”

“Overall, this partnership represents a major step forward towards creating the next generation of supply chain verification and asset assurance,”

“Together, we’re helping DNH Logistics establish a sovereign, verifiable standard for supply chain integrity, where mission-critical supplies can be trusted.” he said

Formerly known as DNH Medical, DNH Logistics has built its reputation on the secure storage and distribution of medical and pharmaceutical products.

With its rebrand, the company is shifting its focus toward custody-led assurance and security-driven logistics, reflecting a strategic move to embed a zero-trust approach across its operations.

The transition underscores DNH Logistics’ commitment to safeguarding high-value and sensitive consignments within both the pharmaceutical and defence sectors.

The company was originally established to support the operational needs of its sister organisation, Provocatus, which provides specialised healthcare services for veterans and first responders.

That foundation, built on precision, trust, and accountability, now informs DNH Logistics’ expanded mission to deliver the same standard of secure handling and compliance to Australia’s broader logistics and defence industries.

About Orca Opti

ORCA Opti is a holistic business operating system that improves business health by automating and aligning the routines that keep organisations running: guided workflows aligned with standard operating procedures, incident and task logging, evidence capture, risk register updates, and board-ready reporting.

About DNH Logistics 

DNH Logistics is a veteran-led Australian company specialising in security-led movement and storage of regulated and high-value goods. Born in pharma, built for defence, government and advanced manufacturing. We keep possession visible, approvals enforced and evidence ready.

About Aurora Materials

Aurora Materials develops next‑generation fluorescent tagging technologies that deliver unmatched security, authentication, and traceability for high‑value and mission‑critical assets. Its proprietary SCLE™ nanocomposites generate unique, non-replicable optical signatures.