Michelle ThompsonMicrosoft has announced that it will invest an additional $5 billion in Australia over the next two years to increase the country’s capacity for hyperscale cloud computing while working with the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) to strengthen domestic cybersecurity.
Brad Smith, the vice-chair and president of Microsoft, and Steven Worrall, the managing director of Microsoft Australia and New Zealand, were there as Anthony Albanese announced the new investment on the first day of his state visit to the United States.
Prior to the Albanese government outlining a new Australian cybersecurity plan spanning the years up to 2030, an announcement was made in Washington. Within a few weeks, the new Australian plan is anticipated to be released.
Albanese revealed Microsoft’s plans at an event in the afternoon after beginning his day in the US capital with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery and a visit to the gravesites of two Australians buried there.
The Australian government and Microsoft are working together to improve home security, according to Microsoft, and this will improve their “shared capability to identify, prevent, and respond to cyber threats, which are growing in both frequency and severity.”
The computer behemoth claimed in a statement that sharing data on cyberthreats improves protection for Australian citizens, companies, and governmental bodies. Microsoft declared that their activities would be centered on identifying, analyzing, and combating sophisticated nation-state cyber threats.
The agency’s director general, Rachel Noble, stated that the expenditures would “boost our collective capacity to protect Australians in cyberspace” and “strengthen our strong partnership with Microsoft.”
One incident is reported in Australia on average every seven minutes, according to a recent danger report from the Australian Cyber Security Centre. In 2021–2022, more than 76,000 instances of cybercrime were documented.
Albanese stated that he appreciated Microsoft’s partnership with ASD because a robust economy needs security from online dangers.
The promises from Microsoft, according to the prime minister, are “a major investment in the skills and workers of the future, strengthening Australia’s position as a world-leading economy.”
According to Microsoft, the new investment in Australia would enable the firm to fulfill the rising demand for cloud computing services by increasing its computing capacity by almost 250% over the next two years. Australia would also benefit from “the significant economic and productivity opportunities presented by the latest AI technology” thanks to it.
In addition to pledging to support an additional 300,000 Australians through its worldwide skills initiatives, the computing behemoth is “working towards” opening its first Datacenter Academy in Australia in early 2024 in collaboration with Tafe NSW.
The computer behemoth claims that the increased funding is the single largest investment it has made in Australia throughout the course of its 40-year operation there.
In a statement, Worrall said the proposed investments and initiatives in infrastructure, skilling, and cybersecurity would “build on our long-term commitment to Australia, but are squarely focused on the future.”
“They will not only enable a safer and more secure digital economy, but they will also provide a platform to foster growth and innovation in the era of AI,” added Worrall.
Emily Martinez
