Baidam & AUSCERT sign Australia cybersecurity pact

Baidam has signed a memorandum of understanding with AUSCERT, establishing a strategic cybersecurity partnership in Australia.

The arrangement focuses on five areas: cyber threat intelligence, incident response, phishing takedowns, security training across technical, risk and executive functions, and joint work between the two organisations.

AUSCERT is a not-for-profit cyber emergency response team based at The University of Queensland. It has operated for more than three decades, supports a network of more than 500 member organisations, and describes itself as vendor-agnostic in threat intelligence, awareness training and member engagement.

Baidam is an Indigenous information technology and cybersecurity provider that describes itself as 100% Australian-owned. The agreement formalises a relationship that began in 2019 during NAIDOC Week and has now been structured into a 12-month partnership framework.

Shared focus

The partnership is intended to strengthen collaboration in practical areas of cyber defence and response. That includes combining AUSCERT's established role in intelligence sharing and community support with Baidam's work in incident response, technical integration and service delivery.

The tie-up also has a broader workforce and community dimension through training and development. Baidam says its wider purpose is to expand training and employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the information technology sector.

This places the agreement at the intersection of cyber resilience and skills development, particularly as Australian organisations continue to face pressure from phishing, fraud and other security incidents. Industry groups and public agencies have increasingly emphasised faster information sharing, response co-ordination and a larger pool of trained cybersecurity staff.

Beau Hodge, chief executive officer of Baidam, positioned the partnership within that broader agenda. "At Baidam, we believe technology is most impactful when it's driven by people and purpose. This partnership with AUSCERT reflects our shared commitment to creating meaningful change - not just for customers, but for the communities we serve. We aim to deliver impactful social and financial returns that help bridge the gap for Australia's First Nations Peoples while strengthening the nation's cybersecurity resilience," Hodge said.

Formalising ties

The agreement turns a long-running informal relationship into a defined partnership. The connection developed over several years through shared values and mutual support before being put into a formal framework.

For AUSCERT, the partnership extends links with a specialist cyber services provider focused on security operations and incident response. For Baidam, it creates a closer working relationship with one of the country's longest-standing cyber response organisations and provides access to its established member network.

The structure of the agreement suggests a practical division of labour. Threat intelligence and awareness work are central to AUSCERT's long-established operating model, while incident response and technical implementation are areas where Baidam says it has particular experience.

Baidam was formed in 2018 and says it launched Australia's first Indigenous-operated security operations centre. Its clients include ASX 200 companies as well as local, state and federal government departments.

Community element

The partnership also reflects a broader shift in the cybersecurity market towards relationships that combine technical services with education and trust-building. In Australia, this has become more significant as businesses and public bodies seek support spanning prevention, detection and response rather than isolated tools or one-off consulting work.

AUSCERT's position as a university-based not-for-profit gives it a different profile from commercial cyber vendors. Its role has traditionally centred on advice, member support and co-ordination, which may complement service providers seeking deeper operational links in incident handling and security training.

Dr David Stockdale, director of cyber security at The University of Queensland, said the relationship had been built gradually. "What makes Baidam different is that they gave before they took. That's rare. This partnership is founded on a genuine desire to help the other party succeed, and that is what makes it so meaningful. We're not just formalising a commercial arrangement - we're recognising a relationship built on honesty, shared purpose, and people who genuinely care," Stockdale said.