Telstra to provide Secure Internet Gateway technology to 11 Government agencies

Media Release, 05 July 2013

Telstra today announced it has entered into an agreement with the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) to roll out secure gateway internet services across eleven Government agencies.

The agreement, worth more than $32 million, sees Telstra appointed as the provider of secure internet gateway technology for at least five years with the option to extend.

Over the coming months Telstra will migrate a number of agencies, including ACBPS, the Department of Finance and Deregulation, the Attorney-General’s Department and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to a consolidated and secure internet gateway solution, designed to provide public access to web services while protecting against internet threats including malware and hacking attacks.

Paul Geason, Group Managing Director, Telstra Enterprise and Government, said the agreement would provide more than 22,000 Government staff with enhanced online security.

"This is a long-term agreement designed to deliver large-scale operational and cost efficiencies across a range of Government agencies," said Mr Geason.

"Telstra offers secure and reliable technology through the latest advances in Internet Gateway technology, alongside our ability to provide an end-to-end service via the Telstra Next IP network.

"The Internet Gateway solution will utilise Telstra’s Security Operation Centre in Canberra, a maximum security ASIO T4 certified facility that provides round the clock monitoring of Telstra’s infrastructure.

"We will be introducing a scalable, efficient, digital-first enabling platform servicing more than 22,000 employees and securing digital communication internally and with external customers."

The Australian Government’s Internet Gateway Reduction program is managed by the Australian Chief Technology officer and is designed to improve efficiency and security as well as reducing overall costs. The program will achieve this by reducing the number of Government agency Internet gateways from 124 to between four and eight.