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Penten, a local cyber security company, has successfully received funding under contract with AustCyber's Australian Cyber Security Growth Network to provide secure network access to a pilot group of regional SMEs and academia.

This project will provide Aussie SMEs with means to bid for, win and work on Government classified projects in a secure and protected environment from any location.

For some regional SMEs and the research community, working with Defence can be difficult. The cost to set up and operate secure IT systems is expensive and complex. This complexity has restricted SMEs from entering the industry, whereas larger companies with the ability to set up and maintain secure communications have had an advantage.

Penten says its  secure mobility service provides regional Australia the chance to join the Defence industry without the high up-front and ongoing maintenance costs. It also gives Defence industry the opportunity to engage a wider range of Australian companies to deliver sovereign capability.

Based on Penten’s AltoCrypt technology, the project will deliver customers a familiar desktop experience through a secure device to a protected environment. Users will enjoy flexibility without the need for briefcases, power packs and cables: the SME will only need to provide an internet connection.

The secure mobility service provides the SME the ability to meet the requirements to access Australian government work with the opportunity to expand to the global defence market. After the pilot, Penten plans to roll out the service to a wide net of Defence Industry partners.

“SMEs are the future growth and innovation engine of the Australian cyber economy," Matthew Wilson, CEO of Penten, said. "These businesses provide invaluable opportunities for Defence to gain advantage. Without them, we are missing out. Australia is missing out.

“Our secure mobility service will provide these SMEs and academics the opportunity to be seen, heard, and have their ideas, products and skills recognised on a national and international level. The Australian economy will benefit as will the SMEs themselves. This is a turning point for regional Australia, small business and Defence. No one need be excluded any more."

“This project will bring together Australian SMEs to better support and protect themselves, Defence and national security information; as well as Australia's emerging place in the global defence and cyber market," Michelle Price, CEO of AustCyber said. "AustCyber sees this project as a true game changer for the Australian economy and it shows a better way for economies globally.”

In addition to work opportunities, this secure mobility service raises the cyber protection of those businesses and researchers that face the highest threat. Often, SMEs are targeted by cyber adversaries as they are not equipped to protect themselves. The cost of not making the investment results in their exclusion from directly supporting the Defence sector. This project will enable these communities with trusted and proven cyber protection.

For academia specifically, the project will foster the acceleration of sensitive research and development enabling participation in the lucrative and forward leaning, global defence markets.

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