NT Government Backup Data Centre Contract Awarded

Local Territory business Area9 has been awarded the contract to provide the NT Government’s first-ever backup data centre for the next 10 years.

The contract will see the centre maintained and managed locally, improving the resilience and protection of the Government’s computer systems, ensuring better and more reliable services for Territorians.

Area9 will engage another local Territory supplier, Secure Data Centre (SDC), to warehouse the backup date centre.

The NT Government’s backup computing will be transitioned to Area9 beginning immediately, with a new primary Government Data Centre currently being established in Millner, replacing the Chan site.

Currently the Chan houses the data centre that supports the NTGs critical ICT systems and services, including business systems, email and phone services and internet presence.

The new Government Data Centre at Millner will be a contemporary facility specifically fitted-out to meet industry standard technical specifications.

Most of the computing equipment and services from Chan are being transferred to the new Millner site over a two year period.

Together, the Government Data Centre and the backup data centre will meet NT Governments essential computing needs for many years.

Once all of the Government’s data systems have been transferred to Millner, the Chan Building will be demolished as part of Government’s plans to activate State Square as a cool, green community space for locals and visitors.

As stated by Minister for Corporate and Information Services, Lauren Moss:

The Territory Labor Government is supporting and growing the local ICT industry, keeping jobs in the NT and delivering on our commitment to redevelop the Chan site.

This will position government’s computing in a robust, contemporary model and will benefit two local Territory businesses through a secure, long term contract.

Local ICT industry benefits from government ICT contracts with DCIS. This new contract will put more services into the local market.

This decision is a key step towards a brighter, modern CBD. Once the services and equipment are relocated in 2020, the Chan Building site in State Square will be available for repurposing as part of the Northern Territory Government’s Revitalising the Darwin CBD initiative.

As stated by Area9 Director, Simon Watt:

Were delighted to have signed this important agreement with the Government of the Northern Territory.

This contract recognises Area9s capability as a leading Territory ICT service provider, the Secure Data Centres exceptional facility and encapsulates an important commitment from the Northern Territory Government in terms of partnering with the private sector.

Its also an important endorsement of Area9s capability to deliver against the robust governance and security requirements of the Northern Territory Government.

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