Customs signs $7.5M deal with Cybertrust

Australian Customs has signed a $7.5M contract with Cybertrust after selecting the security vendor to manage and secure its internet and gateway environments for a further three years.

Successfully winning the bid for the Tender released May 2006, Cybertrust will manage and secure access to and from other government agencies along with its internet, email and Customs Connect Facility (CCF) the communications gateway for all electronic business transactions.

Furthermore, Cybertrust claims it will monitor, design and ensure disaster recovery around the gateway and business continuity as well as keeping the gateway secure.

Customs chief information officer Murray Harrison said Cybertrust was the successful tender because of its industry experience.

"[Cybertrust] demonstrated capacity to implement and support Customs internet and secure gateway environments," said Harrison.

Cybertrust has conducted this role for five years and has a proven track record. But it still had to take part in a gruelling and competitive tender process, said John Karabin general manager, Government Business at Cybertrust.

“The lines between security and business continuity are blurring. Organisations like customs have increasingly put their businesses online and ensuring protection and continuity is no longer a smallish issue, said Karabin.

Cybertrust’s Asia Pacific senior vice president and general manager Paul O’Rourke said: “Customs is one of Australia’s frontline government agencies and must be able to offer its clients, employees and other key stakeholders the most robust security,”