News

Cyber contract: “first of many”

DMTC Limited has engaged Australian indigenous-owned small business Willyama to undertake a comprehensive cyber security audit of systems to be deployed through DMTC’s Industry Capability Development Program.

Willyama’s team of security analysts will review DMTC’s Smart Enough Factory solution which seeks to realise benefits of Industry 4.0 adoption for Australian small businesses, and to equip those companies to contribute to defence sector supply chains.
A key element of DMTC’s Smart Enough Factory is to offer small businesses a ‘Factory in a Box’ toolkit solution that can retrofit and integrate low-cost sensors across both modern and legacy equipment within manufacturing facilities, providing a low-cost entry point for small businesses and a vital early step on the digital transition journey.

Willyama will provide a cyber analysis with recommendations for the participating companies on implementing the sensors and equipment. This work will also lead to broader engagement with the project participants on cyber resilience.

The contract is the first major DMTC undertaking towards supporting Indigenous-owned businesses and the first commercial activity with the Indigenous sector since the Memorandum of Understanding between DMTC and the Indigenous Defence & Infrastructure Consortium (IDIC) was signed at DMTC’s Annual Conference in March.

“At our Conference, I made the point that collaboration isn’t just about signing MoUs or keeping lists of organisations you’ve spoken to,” DMTC Chief Executive Mark Hodge said.

“It’s doing real work together with a shared purpose. That is true of DMTC’s collaborations with all our partners and it’s certainly true of our involvement with IDIC, so much so that we put it on ourselves not to publicise the MoU until there was something real to show for it,” he said.

Adam Goodes (left) and Mark Hodge (right) signing the MoU at DMTC’s Annual Conference in March

In addition to direct contracts with Indigenous businesses like Willyama, who are also an iDiC strategic partner, the MoU with IDiC will explore ways DMTC and the IDIC can work together to build sovereign industrial capability in the Australian defence sector.

“We already work with small businesses across Australia to introduce them to opportunities in the defence sector and to undertake technology transfer to build up regional clusters of capability,” Dr Hodge said.

“Opening up opportunities for the IDIC and its member companies is something we’re delighted to do.”

Founded in 2016, the IDIC’s key aim is to develop sustainable Indigenous-owned Australian businesses and take advantage of substantial investments in Australia’s defence sector. The IDIC is led by Chief Executive Officer, Adam Goodes.

“We have already had opportunities to engage with DMTC through our strategic partner BAE Systems Australia, and also with DMTC’s industrial and research partners,” Mr Goodes said.

“This contract is great news for Willyama, but with the leadership and drive that Mark and the team at DMTC are showing, we are really confident that it’s just the first of many for our partners,” Mr Goodes said.

“We are excited about working alongside DMTC to identify opportunities to demonstrate the expertise and breadth of the Indigenous business sector in Australia.”