Australian defence and intelligence agencies are set to utilize Amazon Web Services (AWS) for securely hosting sensitive information with the recent $2 billion deal struck with Australia. AWS has been operating in Australia since 2012 and has already invested over A$9.1 billion into the country’s economy. The company plans to invest an additional A$13.2 billion by 2027 to further boost Australia’s economy.
The new “top-secret” cloud service, known as TS Cloud, aims to enhance the capabilities of Australia’s defense and intelligence sectors by combining AWS’s security expertise with local talent. This includes the establishment of three new data centers in the country to enable defense agencies to leverage AI for data analysis.
Rachel Noble, director general of the Australian Signals Directorate, emphasized the importance of adopting artificial intelligence within the intelligence community in a well-governed and ethical manner. The TS Cloud will provide a secure platform for hosting sensitive information for Australian defense and intelligence agencies, similar to the services already offered in the UK and the US.
The agreement with AWS also aims to improve data interoperability between Australia, the UK, the US, and other members of the Five Eyes intelligence coalition, which includes Canada and New Zealand. Amazon’s recent valuation surpassing $2 trillion has been fueled by the increasing demand for generative artificial intelligence and cloud services, with a significant growth in net sales and operating income from its cloud services.
In March, Amazon made a significant investment in Anthropic and opened its first office in the EU in Dublin as part of a $4 billion investment commitment. The company is also expanding its investments in countries like Singapore, France, and Germany to meet the rising demand for cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence. Amazon is also supporting early-stage startups through its generative AI accelerator.
However, Amazon faced legal challenges with a billion-pound lawsuit in the UK over alleged misuse of data, resulting in a substantial payment after a US court found the company guilty of patent infringements against AlmondNet, a New York-based advertising technology company.
Overall, the collaboration between AWS and Australian defense and intelligence agencies through the TS Cloud is set to enhance the country’s capabilities in data analysis and security, while also fostering economic growth through increased investments in the Australian economy.
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https://www.siliconrepublic.com/enterprise/amazon-web-services-aws-ts-cloud-australia-intelligence-agencies