Stewart Stacey is the founder and MD of Binary Security, a 100 per cent Indigenous-owned technology company. He says the company’s recent acquisition of state-of-the-art Data Centre Facility is not just another commercial operation.
Through this, Mr Stacey aims to provide training and employment opportunities to First Nations people and defence veterans, to help them move from low-paid traditional jobs to employment in the information technology and cybersecurity sectors.
"There is a stereotype for Indigenous people. In their employment, they're sort of more focused on land-based roles…[but] there's very little when it comes to high-tech fields," he says.
Mr Stacey is optimistic about being able to make this transition happen, which is a key component of Binary’s Security’s mission.
“We plan on offering some traineeships and internships for people to learn how data centres actually operate. We are also setting up our own local SOC (Security Operation Centre), a state-of-the-art operation that will operate out of the data centre itself, offering a full spectrum of cyber protection services,” he says.
Mr Stacey adds that the company is aiming to train these people in the next four to five years and support them in finding employment in the ICT sector.
Artist’s impression of the NT’s state-of-the-art Data Centre facility. Source: Supplied
“We are planning to train 1000 First Nations people, for free, in cybersecurity as well as data science and place them into the workplace. This will be operational in the very early part of 2021.”
Stewart Stacey says this wouldn't be possible without the active support of like-minded businesses, like IotDC which Binary Security has partnered with for the acquisition of Data Centre.
Jon Lim, IotDC Managind Director said that in supporting the acquisition by Binary Security, IotDC believes its community-integrated facilities promote both stronger communities and more resilient self-sustaining economies, which is important for the regrowth of the community post COVID-19.
It is expected that one of IotDC’s International submarine cable operations will go live in 2023, allowing Binary Security and other participating companies to tap in to business opportunities in the Asian market.
This development is anticipated to drive significant changes in the region and give a boost to the Northern Territory.
When completed, the Data Centre will be Darwin’s first certified tier 3 data facility.
The Northern Territory Government said in a statement that it welcomes the new investments as they'll increase the Territory’s economic capacity.
