The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) has started the initial move towards replacing the federal government’s all-important data center panel ahead of its expiration in mid-2023. Late Thursday, the government published a request for information (RFI) seeking comment on a new data center panel that will provide “newer technologies and more items.” The structure will replace the present data center facilities supplies panel, established in 2014, and will be joined by two more data center panels. The 15 providers on the current panel are Canberra Data Centres, NEXTDC, Macquarie Telecom, Equinix, Fujitsu, and Australian Data Centres.
According to the DTA, the new panel will be “substantially identical,” but will “enhance data sovereignty… through the adoption of the hosting certification framework.” In March, the methodology was launched to address supply chain and ownership issues by categorizing web hosting as ‘certified strategic’ or ‘certified guaranteed.’ The framework’s highest degree of assurance, certified strategic, requires suppliers to establish ownership and control criteria for the federal government. To present, only six datacentre providers have received certification: Canberra Data Centres, Macquarie Telecom, Australian Data Centres, NEXTDC, Equinix, and Fujitsu.
The DTA also intends to include in the panel head agreement “increased risk and security management measures for supply chain, cyber security, and critical infrastructure.” Prefabricated data centers and models are also anticipated to be added to the existing data center facility supply. After the turbulence of the previous two years, Equinix managing director Guy Danskine welcomed the reset, calling it a “nice chance… to look at all the possibilities available.” “This study will assist the panel in providing the Commonwealth with all of the necessary digital building blocks that will contribute to ensuring Australia maintains a competitive, global digital economy,” he said. The DTA will collect public comments on the proposed data center panel until December 17.