The Australian government has announced plans to collaborate with Amazon Web Services to build a top-secret cloud known as the TS cloud. This cloud is intended to securely host sensitive information for Australia’s Defence and National Intelligence Community agencies, allowing for improved data sharing and analysis using technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning. The government advertises benefits such as enhanced defence communications networks and deeper collaboration with the United States.
The investment for this project is estimated to be up to A$2 billion over the next ten years, covering the construction of three dedicated data centres and a local Amazon subsidiary to manage them. Details about the cloud’s sovereignty, such as hosting location and ownership of infrastructure, have not been fully disclosed. Questions remain regarding the tendering process and payment arrangements, with AWS referring inquiries to Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles for further information.
The importance of sovereignty in this cloud project lies in data confidentiality, compliance with varying government agency definitions of sovereignty, and interoperability with Five Eyes partners. The decision to work with AWS was influenced by their experience in building secure clouds for the US government, as well as the UK’s use of Amazon for secret information. Microsoft did not bid for the project due to concerns about matching AWS’s interoperability.
The Australian government’s approach to cloud technology has been cautious yet enthusiastic, with agencies also developing local private clouds for security analysis. The ongoing challenge for AWS will be ensuring both sovereignty and interoperability in the implementation of the TS cloud.
Article Source
https://www.theregister.com/2024/07/04/australia_aws_top_secret_cloud/
