CyberCX partners with Curtin University to launch sovereign cloud platform for sensitive research

Perth, Australia – 1 August 2024

CyberCX and Curtin University have partnered to develop and launch Nebula, a unique Australian sovereign cloud platform which will secure, facilitate and accelerate sensitive research.

Nebula is an online platform that allows users to develop and store research-related files including sensitive data sets, research papers and other key documents safely separated from their everyday workplace environment.

Designed in consultation with the broader university sector, industry and government to meet their security and research requirements, Nebula will safeguard research institutions, sensitive projects and researchers.

This groundbreaking platform bridges the gaps between academia, defence science and innovation, small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), and industry. It will reshape the landscape of defence and national security innovation, fostering synergies and advancements across various sectors.

Nebula will facilitate collaboration between researchers and industry and accelerate projects by fast-tracking researchers into the environments they need, with ready-to-use analysis and collaboration tools in a matter of days.

This includes the development and implementation of cutting-edge defence and national security innovations and programs, spanning critical areas such as software architectures, complex sustainment modelling, autonomous systems, advanced sensors and human factors.

As a sovereign solution the systems, servers and people that keep this work secure are based in Australia.

Nebula is powered by Microsoft’s sovereign PROTECTED accredited Azure, M365 and security platforms providing the innovation community with access to high performance computing, data modelling and artificial intelligence capabilities.

In the coming 12 months, the development and uptake of Nebula is expected to:

Significantly increase the number and value of contributions from academics, researchers, and SMEs to our sovereign innovation ecosystem;
Provide a secure framework for collaborations to leverage advanced dual-use technologies;
Enhance the speed of accessibility of a Protected-level IT platform for academia and SMEs in achieving Defence Industry Security Program accreditation requirements within days, as opposed to the traditional timeline of months or years;
Support the employment of 20 Western Australia based cyber specialists.

Quotes attributable to:

Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne
“Through our collaboration with CyberCX and the development of Nebula we will ensure that our researchers are securely and reliably connected as Curtin continues to play a pivotal role in developing workforce, research and sovereign capability.”

CyberCX CEO John Paitaridis
“Australian universities are the engine room of the innovation economy, but too many researchers are being held back from developing the ideas that Australia needs because the cost of collaboration and secure research storage have been prohibitively high.”

“Nebula will empower research institutions to collaborate more quickly, more securely, and more affordably than before.

“As an institution who has always prioritised cutting-edge, nation-shaping research, Curtin University is the natural partner for this project with CyberCX, as we work to secure the research that will underpin the future prosperity of Australia.”

ENDS

About CyberCX

CyberCX is the leading provider of end-to-end cyber security and cloud services. With a workforce of 1,400 cyber security professionals, CyberCX is a trusted partner to private and public sector organisations, helping customers confidently manage cyber risk, respond to incidents, and build resilience in an increasingly complex and challenging threat environment.