Onedefence Data Initiative Receives Investment Boost
8 April 2022
A new investment is set to support efforts to streamline data management across Defence.
Assistant Minister for Defence Andrew Hastie has announced the acquisition of Tranche 1 of the ICT 2284 OneDefence Data Program for approximately $233 million (PBS 2022-23 out-turned price and exchange).
This forms part of a broader push to promote stronger data practices across Defence, helping to improve the management of data as a strategic warfighting asset.
This is ultimately expected to support preparations for the future of information warfare, while also supporting military operations through the exploitation of data generated by military drones, aircraft, land vehicles and maritime vessels.
“Our data management is vital to protecting Australia’s national interests, but it is also vital in times of war, ensuring that we have access to the right information at the critical moment”, Assistant Minister Hastie said.
“This investment will deliver secure and resilient information systems to better enable information sharing and collaboration across government and with Australia’s strategic partners.”
The overall program, valued at approximately $515 million, is outlined in the Defence Data Strategy 2021-23, launched in August 2021.
The strategy involves initiatives to improve data maturity and enhance the information available to the Australian Defence Force.
Priority areas of the five-pillar strategy – govern, trust, discover, use and share – include:
Identifying gaps in workforce capability.
Assessing the effectiveness of capability delivery to stakeholders.
Exploring better ways to improve organisational capacity and provide policy advice to government.
Identifying ways to “stand up” strategic taskforces and support their evolving needs.
Improving whole-of-life health, safety, and wellbeing outcomes for past and present ADF personnel and their families.
Defence has since entered into a contract with KPMG following a competitive tendering process, with the firm tasked with leading a consortium which includes Oracle, Microsoft, and three Australian SMEs – archTIS, Epicon and SISU Solutions.
“The program provides opportunities for industry innovation and for the development of specialist information management skills that are vital to the sector,” Assistant Minister Hastie said.
“Through the OneDefence Data Program, Defence will improve its data management, build a stronger data culture and ensure access to a professional data workforce that will give us the strategic edge in a dangerous and uncertain geostrategic environment.”
Source: Defence Connect