PRESS RELEASE: Google partners with Baidam Solutions as an Indigenous business cybersecurity role model

29 April 2024, BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA: Baidam Solutions, an award-winning First Nations cybersecurity and information consultancy in Brisbane, has signed a new partnership agreement with Google to help promote careers in cybersecurity for people from underrepresented communities.

Founded in 2018 by Jack Reis and Phillip Jenkinson, Baidam Solutions is an award-winning Indigenous-owned and operated First Nations Cybersecurity and Information and Supply Nation Certified ICT Consultancy. Clients include Federal and State Government Departments and agencies, NFPs, and large-scale enterprise customers.

As part of the Google partnership, Baidam Solutions will share its award-winning business blueprint and philanthropic initiatives and impacts through a range of local and international security conferences alongside Google, and promote pathways to careers in cybersecurity for people from all backgrounds and experiences.

“Jack and I are deeply excited about our partnership with Google; it will give global recognition to our First Nations initiatives,” says Phillip Jenkinson, Co-Founder and CEO of Baidam Solutions. Jenkinson highlights Baidam Solutions’ world-first co-designed security operations centre (SOC) as an example of making a practical difference to Indigenous peoples’ future.

“Through sharing the blueprint of our business approach at scale, we have a unique opportunity to be a role model for First Nations communities all over the world. We hope to make it easier and less daunting for other businesses to follow in our footsteps.”
Jack Reis, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Baidam Solutions, said the organisation deeply appreciates Google’s decision to partner with them. “Being given the opportunity to share our business blueprint shows Google’s depth of understanding and appreciation of what it means to be an Indigenous-owned business.

“This partnership will allow us to amplify the voice that we have in Australia and be heard by businesses around the world. If we can influence even one other business to adopt our model, we’ve helped to improve the world – it’s a job well done,” Reis said.

“Through Google and its global reach, we have a remarkable opportunity to speak about the relevance of our business, the lessons we’ve learned, and the resilience we’ve developed as we’ve encountered and overcome objections. We’re stepping up and saying this is how it’s done in Australia,” says Jenkinson.

“We were inspired by the work of Baidam and this partnership will further build on their already impactful work in promoting clear pathways into cybersecurity for people from all backgrounds,” said Patty Gilchrist, from Google APAC Partnerships.

“This partnership provides an opportunity for Baidam to share its significant work beyond Australia and benefit people looking for similar careers around the world,” Gilchrist said.

This partnership aligns with Google’s Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (https://blog.google/intl/en-au/stretch-rap/), announced in December 2022, to support a strong, inclusive digital future for all people in Australia.

Upcoming Baidam Solutions activities include sponsoring and presenting at AusCERT2024 – Pay It Forward, a highly regarded industry event that regularly attracts around 500 attendees, and sponsoring both Supply Nation Connect 2024, where key existing Baidam customers will meet other Supply Nation Indigenous businesses, and AISA Cybercon, which reaches over 5000 attendees, including students, graduates, and cybersecurity professionals.
Other notable Baidam Solutions achievements include investing over 50% of profits into First Nations impacts through the Baidam Initiative and establishing three perpetual university scholarships. To date, the business has invested over $1.7M on Indigenous salaries and spent $500,000 on procurement through Indigenous businesses and contractors.

ABOUT BAIDAM SOLUTIONS
Baidam Solutions was established in 2018 by Jack Reis and Phillip Jenkinson as a cybersecurity reseller. The subsequent addition of professional and managed services and recruitment has seen Baidam emerge as Australia’s premier Indigenous ICT security services and solutions provider with a client list that includes national ASX 200 companies and local, state, and federal government departments.

Baidam’s ground-breaking First Nations Security Operations Centre (SOC) is an initiative unrivalled anywhere in Australia. Here, First Nations professionals provide innovative cybersecurity solutions while fostering future Indigenous cyber leaders through training and mentorship programs.

Baidam has demonstrated its commitment to creating opportunities for Indigenous youth by establishing in-perpetuity STEM scholarships at the University of Queensland, Edith Cowan University and Australian National University