Global secure access service edge (SASE) provider, Netskope, has been named as the technological partner for Australia’s inaugural Indigenous sovereign cloud.
The project, spearheaded by Indigenous IT firm, Dickerson Digital, in partnership with Microsoft, will see Netskope’s technology integrated into the Secure Indigenous Sovereign Cloud’s infrastructure alongside other services such as Microsoft Azure.
The sovereign cloud seeks to allow access for remote Australian communities to the necessary digital infrastructure to power IoT environments, remote sensors and mobile platforms.
Gambarra Kaha, an Indigenous-owned company that builds data centres, has been tapped for the establishment of over 22 facilities across Australia. The first two, stationed in Toowoomba and Logan in Queensland, are projected to launch later this year.
“There is a massive digital divide between indigenous and non-indigenous populations, and we want to uplift these populations to benefit us all.
“[I am] glad to have Netskope on board for this endeavour, which is about empowering communities and paving the way for future generations of Indigenous tech leaders.
“Having looked at different potential security partners, I’m confident Netskope’s team and state-of-the-art platform are the best fit to build a sovereign cloud that operates with the highest security, data protection and sovereignty standards.”
The sovereign cloud was first launched earlier this year by Dickerson Digital and service delivery partner, DQA, on the Microsoft platform.
The Kalinda tiaki Foundation will also provide skills training and qualifications for those participating in the program; Dickerson Digital and Netskope will then provide jobs within their teams.
“Netskope is a proud and longtime supporter of Australia’s economy,” Tony Burnside, Vice President and Head of Asia-Pacific region at Netskope, said in a statement.
“In recent years, we have helped to grow Australia’s infrastructure through the continued investments we have made in building out our NewEdge network and the Netskope One platform to help bolster the nation’s security and connectivity.
“Dickerson Digital’s ambitious vision of uplifting Indigenous populations in the process is one that deeply resonated with us, and we will be working hard to ensure we successfully deliver on the promises of this project.”
